Disclaimer: As much as I'd like to own the characters they all belong to Rumiko Takahashi, not me.
A/N: Hmmm, I think I'm making Sesshoumaru a little too one-sided with the way he thinks, or do you guys think he's fine the way he is? (Opinions are welcomed, but it does not mean I will abide by them, if at all any . . .) XD Please enjoy, read, and review. Thank you!
A Gap Across Time
XIV: Whatever the Reason
Kagome was agitated - she bit her lower lip constantly with the forefront of her top teeth - she was contemplating on what she could do to help Sesshoumaru recover. So far everything she thought of didn't seem like they were going to work, and she was coming close to running out of options altogether. It's been several days since she declared that she'd try one last time to help the taiyoukai, and as the day passed the demon Lord's condition was becoming worse. He'd gone into another lapse of being unable to speak; Kagome was sure of it because Sesshoumaru never wasted a moment to backhand her with words when he thought it was necessary. However, for the past two days he hadn't uttered a single word to her, and it was then that she realized something was wrong.
Right now he was peacefully resting in her mother's bedroom on her mother's bed. The stain on the floor wasn't as visible as before, because Kagome made sure to give it a thorough scrubbing ever since the day she got back from the hospital. Sesshoumaru could still smell the caked blood on the carpet though, whether Kagome was aware of that fact or not. Her room was also considered a no-entry-zone and she hadn't the time or energy to clean it; her brother and grandpa shared Souta's room together, and her mother slept on the couch in the living room. Kagome slept in the same room as Sesshoumaru, although they didn't share the same bed; she sleeps in a sleeping bag on the bedroom floor.
As to where Kagome was situated right now, she was with her grandpa, mother, and brother in the living room. Family gatherings such as these were rare and few in between ever since the arrival of the taiyoukai - he usually took up most of Kagome's time because he needed constant attention. He wasn't willing to admit to that, but Kagome could say in the least that he might have appreciated her efforts to help. The troubled teen was feeling guilty that her mother had to sleep in the living room, so she tried to make some accommodations.
"Hey, mom, I don't think it's fair that you have to sleep on the couch every night," Kagome suddenly said. She broke the silence that befell the family as they watched a movie together. "If you'd like, we can trade sleeping places."
"It'd be better if you're with him instead of me," Mrs. Higurashi replied.
I guess it can't be helped. "If you're okay with sleeping down here, then I guess there's nothing I can do to persuade you otherwise?" Kagome asked. Her mother smiled and shook her head. "I'm gonna go check up on him." Just as I thought . . .
"Just be back soon," her grandpa said, "because you don't want to miss the best part of the movie."
"Got it, grandpa."
-----
Sesshoumaru was sleeping when Kagome first stepped foot inside the room, but the closed eyelids of the taiyoukai did not stay shut for long, because before Kagome even realized it, he was wide awake and was very much staring at her. For one split moment Kagome had the mindset to turn around and leave the room, yet she knew that she came inside this room for a purpose. She shouldn't turn back - a cause has to come before an effect - she couldn't leave knowing that she hasn't done what she had intended to do in the first place.
"Sesshoumaru . . ." Kagome was weary of the cold, hard stare she is receiving. ". . . is your voice still not back yet?"
How insistent must she be? Giving up is always an option no matter how cowardly it may all seem. Sesshoumaru slightly tilted his head down and then back up to indicate that he was saying 'no'. Kagome didn't quite understand the gesture; she was giving him a confused look that clearly said that she was not understanding him. Blasphemy! Such a simple motion should be understood by all - this human girl is beyond being brainless.
Well, seems like I've made him mad . . . Kagome could tell that Sesshoumaru was becoming annoyed. "Um, would you like to eat anything? Lunch time has already passed." Sesshoumaru made no notion to nod or shake his head. "Your response?"
"Leave me be; I need not your attention," Sesshoumaru said.
"Your voice!" When did he regain it? "Since when?"
"Silence, woman!" Sesshoumaru could hear his own voice rising, but exactly for what reason? Was there even a need to shout at the incompetent girl before him? Why did she make his blood boil so? How can she affect him so easily? Was he not a heartless and a down-to-earth ruler of the kingdom to the lands of the west, back in the feudal era? Indeed, he was. "You confuse me! You feed me poison from your heart! You are a tainted thing of what is to come!"
"What are you talking about?" Kagome was baffled. The redness coming to the taiyoukai's pupils was scaring her - it looked like he was ready to transform. "How am I something tainted? How can this be something to come?"
Sesshoumaru doesn't want to admit it - Kagome drove him mad with something he could not explain - which he did not entirely dislike, but it was quite bothersome. A solution needed to come. Yes, something needed to be done.
What power does she possess? Such sorcery! "A tainted priestess you are . . ."
"How am I tainted? Give me a good reason for your assumption!"
"Do not question me! You have not the right nor the will!" Sesshoumaru's last ounce of control was disappearing - he could feel his demonic side coming forth. If he were to erupt now, it would definitely be something catastrophic. "Immorality! Destruction is inevitable! Seethe the day you were born!"
Kagome screamed a blood-curdling scream. Within a moment all became calm and still - several footsteps could be heard. Mrs. Higurashi, Souta, and their grandpa came to see what the shouting and yelling was all about. Somehow, this seemed like a replay of something that had happened once before - Kagome having her throat slit crossed each of the family member's minds; surely, something like that was not going to happen again? The first person to appear inside the room was Souta, because he was far younger and faster than his mother and grandpa.
"Kagome!" Souta called, just as soon as Mrs. Higurashi and their grandpa got to the bedroom door. "Get away from him!"
And thus . . . A second uproar has happened.
"Mom, guys, everyone don't come any closer!" Kagome warned. She was pinned against the bedroom wall by one of Sesshoumaru's strong, clawed hands. The demon Lord was trembling so violently that the Higurashis' who were watching the ordeal unfold thought it to be rather painful. "Sesshoumaru is not capable of controlling what he does at this point! No matter what happens, I want none of you to come close, got it?"
"Are you stupid?" Kagome's grandpa cried. "He's about ready to rip your throat out! I can't simply stand by and do nothing to save my granddaughter!"
"Kagome," Souta was looking desperately from the taiyoukai's face and then back at his sister's, "you can't die yet!"
"I never said I was going to die! Stay calm, Souta!" Dammit! Why did I let it get this far! "And mom, despite what is happening, I just want you to know that I think Sesshoumaru is not a bad demon, really." Mrs. Higurashi remained silent, but she nodded her head in acknowledgement to her daughter's statement. "I'm sure that he won't kill me - I can feel his hand slackening in grip."
"Say something! Say anything! Make him let you go!" Their grandpa was literally pulling out what remaining hair he has due to all the building tension.
"Sesshoumaru . . ." Kagome stared at him straight in the eyes - hers were a watery wood-brown, while his were a icy blue. ". . . Please, let me go. This is not your intent . . . I see no real malice behind your eyes. Listen to me . . ." Kagome sighed a sigh of relief when Sesshoumaru's hand slowly, but surely left her throat. ". . . Calm down," Sesshoumaru's eyes wandered to that of her family's when he could no longer bear to see the girl's intense gaze, "and look only at me, Sesshoumaru," Kagome even dared to raise one hand to push gently push at his cheek, "only at me . . ."
The red and blue colors of Sesshoumaru's demonic heritage started to fade from his eyes - he was reverting back to normal. And an expression that was a mix between sadness and confusion had Kagome guessing which one he was really feeling. Right at that moment her grandpa gave out a cry and wrapped his old, wrinkly arms around his grandson and son's wife. Tears of relief flowed from his eyes.
"Is it . . . all . . . over?" Souta asked, between gasps when his grandpa kept jostling him.
"Yeah, I think so," Kagome replied. She gently held onto Sesshoumaru when he gripped at the front of her shirt ever so tightly. She did not mind that the side of his wrists were touching her bosom, because that was the least of her concerns and Sesshoumaru was not a pervert, unlike some lecherous monk she has come to know.
"I'm glad that nothing drastic happened," Mrs. Higurashi said, finally speaking for the first time. "Although, Kagome, I will admit that I fear for you life more than ever before now, and it'd be best if you get him back to the other side as soon as possible."
"I know mom . . . I know."
-----
Rin ended up staying with Kikyou inside her room, and the both of them talked amiably about many, many things. How vibrant and full of life the child known as Rin was. She told the once deceased priestess of all her adventures and the many things she's done with the taiyoukai of this enormous palace. Based on what Rin said, Kikyou was finding it hard to believe the child's every word, but with such a genuine smile and down-to-earth nature, surely the child can hold a huge difference between a liar and a person who told wonders with a great many truths.
"Is that so?" Kikyou concluded. "That must have been wonderful."
"Oh, it was! He actually gave me a zinnia! A red one, too, since red is my favorite color!" Rin was glowing with warmth by the mere memory of it. She didn't notice the softening expression coming to Kikyou's face, but it did not matter. "What is your favorite color, Lady Kikyou?"
That question caught Kikyou by surprise, because she did not answer right away but instead stared at Rin. The child did not think too much of the priestess's shock and simply waited for an answer. "My favorite color is yellow. That color reminds me of the sun and all that it has is a known strength that keeps everything alive."
"Zinnias come in the color yellow, too! I'll make sure to pick you some yellow ones whenever I shall come across any!"
"You needn't do that and burden yourself over me," Kikyou said.
"It's not a problem! I like to pick flowers!" Rin wasn't easily dissuaded, so it seems. "Besides, we are friends now, aren't we?"
"Friends?" We've only met . . .
"Yup!"
"Lady Rin, by any chance have you seen Inuyasha anywhere?"
"Ehmmmm." Rin scrunched up her face as she delved into deep thinking. "I saw him a little while ago, but I didn't get the chance to talk to him because he was running so fast. Will I ever see him? He always seems so busy with the counselors."
"A time will eventually come. You just need to wait for it . . ."
-----
By the time Sesshoumaru came to, Kagome was sitting on a chair by the bed as she nonchalantly gazed out the window. The gentle sunlight filtered in and pooled all around her, giving off a somewhat beautiful glow. The only thing the taiyoukai remembered was him yelling at her and then attempting to harm her, but as to if he really harmed her or not he did not know. From her position by the window she looked uninjured, but anything could be lurking beneath her clothes, may they be bruises or cuts of any size.
She confuses me. Her emotions dissuade me from acting out my true purpose here. How is it so? "Woman," Sesshoumaru breathed. Kagome did not turn to look at him - she was in deep thought. "Woman," Sesshoumaru said, a little louder this time.
"Yes?" Kagome turned to face him, surprising the demon Lord that she was not angry that he was addressing her in such a way. She always used to be annoyed by that word, why was it that she did not care for it now? Act as if nothing happened, Kagome, because he does not need to know that he's tried to kill me a second time and failed. Who knows what the results may be if I told him! Would he try a third time? "Do you need something?"
"Send me back to the other side," was Sesshoumaru's response and only concern at the moment.
"I would if I could. I haven't had the time to go out there to investigate it, since I had to waste all my time cleaning my mother's room. You wrecked some things in there, so you're back inside my room, if you haven't noticed yet."
Sesshoumaru looked around then and realized that he was indeed in Kagome's room once more. Her scent was everywhere, but he didn't even acknowledge such a thing until the girl mentioned it. He was starting to become irritable at the fact that this human girl was not putting him at her top-to-do list; it was much more important that he returned to the other side and back to his palace where he could rest at relative ease. Well, at least more at ease there than he is here.
"I'm sorry. You must be angry with me, aren't you? If you'd like, I can go look at the well now."
"Go, then."
Kagome nodded and stood as if to leave the room, but when she came by the bedside, she turned to look at Sesshoumaru. Their eyes met and neither being said anything for a really long time. Kagome was trying to discern her own confused feelings about the taiyoukai, and the taiyoukai was puzzled at the fact that she was staring at him so intensely. What made her feel so attached to this demon Lord all of a sudden? He seems less annoying and more comforting when his presence was near hers. The sudden feeling of being unable to breathe the other day, and with just a small touch he was able to soothe her so quickly. At that time, she never felt so glad that he was there beside her.
Yet, this feeling now . . . What could it be?
"Um . . ."
"Don't stare at me and simply mutter nonsense," Sesshoumaru snapped, angrily.
Maybe what I am feeling is something totally unrelated to what I think it is. Kagome could feel her face growing hot, and she deftly turned away from Sesshoumaru so he would not see it. "Um . . . I'll go look at the well now. I'll be back soon."
Kagome dashed out of the room before Sesshoumaru could say anything to her.
When finally at the well Kagome made a startling revelation to herself, as she sat at the edge of the well's opening. "I think I'm in love with him. In this short time that I've come to know him, I think it has become love that I feel for him." I can't believe I'm telling myself this! Kagome clamped both of her hands to her mouth when she heard some rustling sounds mixed in with Souta's voice. I feel this is a welcoming feeling. In love . . . What does it really mean to be in love, anyway? Wasn't my affection aimed towards Inuyasha, or was it something completely different? Kagome continued to sit there and ponder out her thoughts and feelings.
It is now a definite truth that Kagome has fallen in love with the taiyoukai. The only problem is that she fears she can never tell him. Will her devotion for him go unrequited? For whatever reasons . . . Should she even confess? What sort of reasons can there be for her to tell him? Why would it matter so?
"Buyo, no, not there!"
Kagome could tell that their house cat was coming towards the well and she was going to be discovered if Souta comes inside. The only thing she could think of was to jump down in the well and hide there for the time being. Yet, it seems like jumping into the well was her mistake, because before she knew it she was starting to fall into nothingness.
No! Not now! Sesshoumaru must go back, too! No, take me back!
It was too late.
Kagome climbed out of the well to see that she was back in feudal Japan . . . without Sesshoumaru, apparently. The strangest thing happened though when she first stood up and took one step. Some emanating aura blew right past her and right into the well. Gasping, Kagome turned around as fast as she could so that she was able to peer down into the well. She couldn't see anything, but she could definitely feel something and it didn't seem too inviting. She had the urge to jump in in the hopes that she could go back, but the aura made her too weary to do so.
A voice of someone familiar startled her, though. "Kagome, it's a surprise to see you here."
"Miroku?" Kagome turned around once more to face the other direction.
"You look a little white in the face." Miroku took a few steps towards her, but then suddenly stopped, slightly grimacing (although Kagome did not notice this). "Are you all right?"
"Where's Inuyasha and the others?" Kagome asked, ignoring Miroku's question.
"He's with the others somewhere, but I'm not sure where they went."
"Did they ditch you again?" Kagome started to get that I-know-what-you-tried-to-do-lecherous-monk look. "Were you chasing after girls again?" For now it seems like her mind was off of Sesshoumaru since Miroku showed up.
"Ahahahaha, how'd you guess?"
"It's obvious . . ."
"Well . . . Shall we get going?"
"Wait . . . I need to go back to the other side! Sesshoumaru's still over there!"
"He's alive?" I was sure he was done for . . .
"Of course! And I need to go back!"
"Wait. Don't be so hasty, Kagome. I advise that you get away from the well, because it has an unpleasant aura emitting from it. It might be dangerous if you stay there any longer."
"O-okay . . ."
However, when Kagome was standing right beside the monk she felt that something wasn't quite right about him. Even he had a strange aura surrounding him and Kagome did not hesitate to jump away as fast as she could. Miroku merely looked at her, surprised that she'd suddenly move away. Despite the appearance of the monk, Kagome knew there was something seriously wrong with him - he's not the Miroku she came to know, she was sure of it.
"What?" Miroku asked.
"You're not Miroku."
"I am. Can't you see me simply standing here?"
"There's something weird about you. The aura that you resonate . . ."
Damn, she detected it? Is she that powerful of a priestess? "I have no idea as to what you are talking about."
"Where is he? Give me back the real Miroku!"
"Heh, seems like there's no fooling you at this point, is there?" A evil grin came to Miroku's face. "Well then, prepare to die!"
To Be Continued!