I know it's been waaaaay too long since I updated, and i'm really sorry about that. Finals are coming up, and I've been pretty preoccupied. I'll try not to wait so long between now and the next update. ( - _ - ')
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters.
{~~~~~~~~~~}
Chapter 21 – Riddle
Sesshomaru found himself stifling a growl as the priestess spoke. He did not like that she spoke with a knowledge behind her words. He also did not like that upon scrutinizing the tanned skin of her arms, he could see small crescent-shaped scars indicating that the hanyou had done this before. Although he hated that he felt so protective of the miko, he was nearly livid knowing that a being with his family's blood was so dishonorable. He made a mental note to never leave Rin alone in his presence before he returned his full attention to his surroundings.
The miko had deemed a small clearing in the shelter of a few towering oaks as an acceptable area to bed for the night, and he took comfort in knowing that soon his debt would be taken care of. It did not sit well with him that he was indebted to her in the first place, so the sooner they talked, the better.
Before he knew it, a soft voice interrupted his deliberations.
"Sesshomaru-sama." He tilted his head towards the voice, making contact with the miko's gaze once more. She took his silence as a go-ahead and spoke again. "Do you have a preference as to what we fix for dinner?"
"This Sesshomaru shall hunt."
"What, no! You're technically our guest, you shouldn't have to hunt for us."
"Miko, I offered and it is no problem." He watched as the miko opened her mouth to argue again. Narrowing his eyes, he conveyed that he wished to continue speaking, and she wisely complied, closing her mouth in resignation. "Do you not need time to consider how my debt will be repaid?"
"I suppose I could use some time to think this over."
"Hn." As he left the clearing, he could hear the miko giving tasks to the others who remained. The orders came easily, rolling off her tongue for what may very be the thousandth time. The hanyou was a fool if he thought he was the leader of their meager group, clearly it was the miko who was actually intelligent enough for the job. Not only that, but it was obvious everyone but the hanyou respected her as well. They merely let the baka believe he was in charge. Made it easier to deal with him, he assumed.
He had underestimated her, to be sure. Every time he came across the onna, he was left with more questions than answers. He hoped, the time he spent with her this evening would alleviate some of his confusion. Then he would be rid of two of his problems – his debt, and the infuriating riddle that was the miko.