{12}

Journey

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The Inu No Taisho's entourage set off early in the morning: the General in the lead, the soldiers after him, and the animals closing the procession.

The young prince and his prey – or rather, his protégé – rode disorderly in and out of the lines, depending on what caught their attention along the way. Flowers captured the excited eyes of the human child; hares and other little animals hiding in the undergrowth those of the demon.

However, after the third captured rabbit, Kagome had burst into tears and begged him to stop, and despite the offense of not having his hunting skills recognized, Sesshoumaru had consented; and, more than inclined to indulge his little human, he took to bring her dead plants instead of animals – although he couldn't understand the point of it.

Inu No Taisho followed the two pups' exchange with quiet interest, nodding pensively to himself.

Kagome, of course, had no intention to insult her new friend, and found other ways to make up for it. She listened to his stories with unrestrained awe – Can you really fly, Sesshou-chan? – wove fragile crowns of flowers for his hair, and generally let him take care of her without making too much of a fuss.

When Sesshoumaru finally brought her a little brown hatchet, still alive, to let her pet it, the girl's smile was so wide – the prince even noticed the absence of a tooth – that it made him forget the early tears and offense. Perhaps it was not necessary to kill any game to impress her, he thought; humans were so strange.

Much later, when the afternoon sun took away her desire to keep playing, Kagome fell asleep curled up on the back of one of the dragons, wrapped up in thick fur, resting peacefully and with a thumb touching her parted lips.

Sesshoumaru sighed for the umpteenth time, walking nearby to keep the animal under control in case she might slip – one of his hands curled gently around her thin wrist.

"You sleep too much," he murmured, watching her, his lips curled into something that dangerously resembled a pout.

A dozen steps ahead, the corners of Inu No Taisho's mouth twitched into a sly smile. It really looked like an interesting summer was unfolding ahead of them.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Word count: 378 words.

Notes: Oh look - I'm still alive!
Since I found myself with some free time in my hands, I decided that I would give this story another chance, and try to keep it going a little more. I have another ten chapter in various states of completion, so it's only a matter of will and inspiration. Fingers crossed!
In the meantime, here a very short interlude that will take our story one step further - next, the Inu No Taisho's fortress!
Thanks to all of you that kept reading and leaving comments to this story even though my unforgivable disappearance. You honestly gave me the push I needed to write! *hugs*
With love and gratitude,
-Niglia.