Chapter 11
Wow! I didn't think that so many people would like this story. It's very humbling that so many of you have favorited my story, so I will continue this little project. :D
Disclaimer: Inuyasha and story belongs to Rumiko Takahashi, this is just a fan fic.
Everyone had a theory about the miko's new eye color and the reason behind her blindness. All this talk was giving Sesshoumaru a headache. The more that they talked about her, the more he was irritated. Nobody could have guessed that there was a small war waging in the daiyokai's heart.
He wanted to, no, he needed to be honest with himself about his standing with the miko because if he didn't soon there would be a fight between him and Inuyasha, or there would be a boot to Jaken's head. As he brought up the rear of the group, he assessed the miko. She was lively as ever and going on about how she was making a ramen feast tonight for dinner and how she even had a surprise for Jaken. Said kappa was looking hostile and complaining about how he needed nothing from lowly ningen women, when Kagome laughed and grabbed Jaken in her arms and kissed his little bald head.
Sesshoumaru was surprised that Kagome could display such affection for the water demon. Jaken was stunned into complete silence and quickly made his way over to Sesshoumaru's side, quietly. A quick glance and the daiyokai confirmed his suspicion, the little kappa was blushing and staring at the smiling miko, who was swinging arms with Rin and talking about how she found out what was Jaken-sama's favorite food. The miko had the uncanny ability to make everyone feel at easy around her. It was insufferable!
The first thing to do was admit that he felt something for her. Yes, he could admit that his curiosity was piqued. Yes, his father was probably rolling in his grave, and oddly enough the last thing that he said popped into Sesshoumaru's head, "Do you have something to protect?" His answer at the time had been "no," but now he couldn't say that was the case. He had Rin now, and even Jaken. The demon glanced up front at the group and he could even say that yes, he had Inuyasha and his group under his protection now, especially the miko. He thought about the times that he saw Inuyasha defending or protecting the small humans in the group and Kagome, and this was when the hanyou was at his finest. He fought harder and longer when he had someone to protect.
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. This is what his father had meant all along. He had always thought that his father was weak for defending Inuyasha's mother after almost dying at the hand of the dragon lord, but it was his fierce protection of the human hime that made him push beyond his limits and defeat the human army. To defend himself in battle was easy and almost required no effort, but when Sesshoumaru had to defend Rin, or even when he had saved Kagome from some lower level yokai, it was that rush of having to push a bit harder, to make sure not a hair was out of place on those two, that he reveled in. This was when his power was the greatest, when he was stretching it, forcing himself to be faster and stronger for the fragile humans.
Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and let his reiki loose. The group paused and all eyes where on Sesshoumaru alert for some attack. But when Sesshoumaru opened his eyes, they were clear and calm as they ever were. He felt free of the questions of his father's death and he did not hate Inuyasha anymore. He was finally at peace.
"Sesshoumaru? Is there something out there?" Kagome asked softly, one hand on her brow and the other gracing the feathers of an arrow.
"No." The daiyokai narrowed his gaze upon the unsuspecting miko and and quickly turned and disappeared into the woods.
"What was that all about Inuyasha?" Miroku asked as he leaned against his staff and stared into the underbrush.
"Keh, beats me. That asshole always does what he wants. Let's keep going. He'll be back when he through hunting whatever crawled up his nose."
Kagome peered in to the woods while Rin gently tugged on her hand and followed behind Inuyasha.
"Don't worry Kagome-san, Lord Sesshoumaru goes hunting all the time."
Kagome smiled at the little girl and began to tell her about the crayons that she had for Rin and Shippo that smelt like real food. The group continued on until evening and set up camp right before sunset. Inuyasha was in heaven because had finally gotten his gallon of ramen while Kagome was feeding the rest of the group and chopping up some green plant for Jaken. Sesshoumaru had just re-entered the clearing when Kagome proudly was serving Jaken a dish of sliced cucumbers.
Kagome glanced at Sesshoumaru and smiled.
"Did your hunt go well Sesshoumaru?"
"Hn." Kagome just smiled and turned back to Jaken.
"Jaken, I know that you will love these if you just try one."
"I don't need your food human," Jaken mumbled but his curiosity was killing him. Nobody had ever offered him anything that was made just for him. Why the miko was practically serving him! He almost felt important. He hesitated and glanced at his lord only to see Sesshoumau give him a faint nod of approval. He hesitantly took a slice of the 'cucumber' and ate it. His eyes grew wide and his mouth began to water. It was delicious. Kagome smiled and handed him the rest of the plate and patted him on the arm. She walked over to Sesshoumaru and sat down as she watch with glee as Jaken gobbled the plate down.
"Tell me Miko, how did you know Jaken would like that?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"Oh I googled it when I was home. They don't cost more than Inuyasha's ramen so I got two for Jaken because he never seems to ask for anything and I thought it would be nice." Kagome glanced over at the daiyokai. "Did you find what you were looking for earlier?" she asked as she watched the rays of the dying sun reflect off the silky, white strains of the demon lord's hair. She licked her bottom lip absentmindedly and wondered if his hair felt as silky as it looked.
Sesshoumaru glanced at her bottom lip with the glint of moisture and followed her eyes to his hair and flicked his eyes straight to hers.
"Yes, I did."
"Oh I'm glad it was a good hunt then," Kagome breathed as she glanced back the camp and watched Rin and Shippo coloring.
The daiyokai kept his eyes on her and exhaled as he laid back propped his new elbow on his knee. The peace that he felt was comforting and he was glad that he had accepted his fate. Yes he had found what he was looking for, the truth, and it was acceptable.
Yay another chapter done!
