Nocturne - Chapter Thirty-Five: Tenacity Admired
Rated - M (for very, very suggestive adult themes, references to some violence, and coarse language)
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
o - o - o - o - o
Kagome had traveled nearly a week with no luck. This "come and find" me business was getting ridiculous. Sesshomaru should have left a trail of breadcrumbs or something, but no. Nothing.
She had been through villages, serving where she could and asking the townspeople for information, but no one had heard of Lord Sesshomaru or knew of any regal yokai living in the area.
Many of the places she stopped at held a hatred of yokai, spitting at her feet when she asked after one. Thankfully, her new companion, Rei, only had one tail and could pass as a cat. People did, however, find it odd that a cat traveled with her, but none were brave enough to mention it. They all just passed it off as some strange, new miko custom.
Kagome had gotten creative with her questions when she passed through to another village. Sesshomaru was very private and not likely to have rumors of himself or his holdings. Instead, she would cleverly ask for news of the area.
She did not learn anything of value, just gossip from one place to the next. Kagome had to hold out hope that she would pick up a lead soon.
Kami finally blessed her on the seventh day. Kagome had stopped in a village for the night after providing healing services for a family under the guise of a spiritual ritual. People in the Sengoku era didn't grasp the concept of modern medicine and were often astounded by Kagome's abilities. Most confused medicine with magic, and it was a good thing that she also was a miko by profession. Otherwise, people may not be so kind and generous to her.
The family that Kagome had helped were allowing her and her peculiar-looking cat to stay the night. She conversed with them congenially during the evening, speaking of everything and nothing as strangers may do.
"The weather has been mild for this time of year."
"Yes, I am thankful for that. The good weather aids me on my pilgrimage," Kagome replied.
"We are so grateful that your travels brought you to us. You have lifted the evil that has plagued our little one. It is an evil afflicting many this season."
Kagome knew that most in this time, confused sickness with evil maladies placed on them for sins committed, and there was little to persuade them otherwise. Sometimes she tried, though. "That is a misfortune brought on by the mild weather, I'm afraid."
"The weather, you say? We had thought the evil preferred dark and cold. But if you say that the light can not forestall the darkness, then we have much to fear. Kami be praised that you were sent to us in our time of need."
Kagome could not tell these people how mistaken they were, but they would learn with time. "Kami be praised," she repeated.
"We had called upon the lord of the land to give us aid. So many here are desperate. But it would seem that he has fled in the face of this onslaught of darkness just like all the others. Now we are left to fend for ourselves."
Kagome felt her interest piqued, "The shogun left?"
"So it would seem. Abandoned his people, he did. Leaving us to fend for ourselves."
"That is unfortunate. This shogunate held land here?" She asked.
"Most certainly! A vast estate that was left vacant. Now we are at the mercy of any fool who may attempt to occupy our land and impose new taxes on our village."
"How strange for a shogun to leave a perfectly good estate," she speculated. "I've never heard of such a thing happening."
"Strange indeed! A small green man has also been sighted near the grounds, haunting the place with his evil spirit. Likely the reason a shogun would risk death and leave, I say."
"Hmm. Perhaps I should visit this place and defeat the spirit to give your people peace," Kagome suggested with a knowing smile.
"Nay, priestess! You should not risk yourself so!"
"There is no risk," Kagome assured with relieved certainty.
She rested for the night at the family's home, content to start the day anew and find her way to the palace that lay only a few miles away.
The following day, Kagome roused and was wished well on her journey. She gained directions to the estate and made her way with the little Rei by her side. He trotted along with ease, having a full belly from the doting family the previous evening.
o - o - o - o - o
He knew she was near. He had picked up her scent from an easterly wind. Now was time to make final preparations.
Sesshomaru had spent the past few days avoiding his mother's presence. The woman had invited herself to stay at such an inconvenient time in his life. Thankfully, she had not tried to eat the little one as he first assumed she might. His disdain for humans had not come from his father, after all.
It was an odd sight to witness his cold and vain mother as a doting anything. Even had he brought to the demoness an heir she may consider suitable, Sesshomaru had assumed she would have been indifferent to the child. That would have been a best-case scenario. The actual events as they unfolded were completely different than expected.
His mother had the child, Setsuna, now, and he had instructed her to keep away for the time being. His mother had given him a toothy smirk while she held her granddaughter close.
"Oh, my son is attempting to lure his first human to him. What a proud mother I am," she teased.
Whether she was facetious or contemptuous, he did not know nor did he care to discern as long as she knew her place in the matter.
The sum had not yet reached its zenith before the miko arrived, swathed in the sun's glory at her back, and announcing her glorious arrival. A small smile that would typically be out of place on his lips was the only physical tell of the satisfaction he felt.
The miko had arrived. To reclaim their child likely, as the woman had a vastly different style of parenting than his mother, who preferred a more hands-off approach. But, he could not sense rage within her, so he knew that the child was not the only reason she had come.
She passed through the gates hesitantly, looking around as she walked. The miko must have known she was in the right place, but he could sense her trepidations.
Sesshomaru had patience aplenty, but he was done waiting. He strode towards the woman with purpose and a curious burning sensation within his chest, naught as he had ever felt before. When she saw him, she stopped, her hands trembling at her sides. She chewed her bottom lip and looked at him anxiously.
So many thoughts ran through his head. Things he wanted to do to her, but not yet. Sesshomaru stopped several feet away from her, putting the power in her hands. She had a choice to make. Close the distance or not.
He was long-lived, and time ran at a different pace for him. Years could pass in the blink of an eye, so minutes and seconds had never been of any consequence. Yet, now that she stood there for what seemed countless seconds felt to be an eternity.
"What have you decided then?" he asked.
Her mouth opened a bit as if she were to speak something, and instead, she chewed the bottom of her lip again in agonizing hesitation. Finally, she understood that it was her move.
He watched as she swallowed, and he could sense her heartbeat quicken though he could not tell if these things were from nerves or guilt. The woman took one tentative step forward and stopped.
How frustrating this game was. Fine. The woman had come this far, and he was feeling generous. Or impatient.
Sesshomaru moved towards her purposefully, closing that gap with long strides. Had the woman objected, she may have put up a fight, but that was not the case. Upon reaching her, he immediately wrapped an arm around her; the other hand tangled itself within her long, unbound hair to keep her in place. The woman placed her hands on his chest and sucked in a jagged, surprised breath. Though why she would have cause to be surprised was questionable.
He strove to be gentle, she was human after all, but his impatience caused him to claim her lips with haste. She seemed to possess an enthusiasm of her own, her lips parting to taste the sweep of his tongue as it delved into her mouth, savoring her.
The kiss lasted forever, but not long enough. He released her, and she let out a relieved sigh.
"I found you," she said with a smile.
"There was no hiding," he responded with a smirk of his own.
She pursed her lips, "It is not like I had directions, and there wasn't a sign out front." She looked back over her shoulder. "Thankfully, I had help."
"Help?" He questioned. He had seen no one. What type of help had she meant? Then he sensed it, tingling on his peripherals. His eyes honed in on the aura of a small nekomata and narrowed with distaste. Still, the creature was showing its deference by remaining far enough away to avoid immediate detection. The miko always did pick strange companions, himself not included.
The woman nodded but said no more. That was fine, Sesshomaru determined. So long as the help was not from his detested brother. Thankfully none of that ingrate's scent mingled with her own. He may have been tempted to pay a quick visit to the hanyou and give his respects as far as those were due.
"Where is she?"
Sesshomaru knew the question would come. "She is well taken care of, just beyond."
The woman allowed concern to creep into her features. "You mean your toad-I mean, Jaken is caring for her?" She quickly corrected herself.
He chuckled at her vacillation. "Jaken would never harm Setsuna."
"It's not his loyalty, I doubt, but his capability." She seemed somewhat dubious to the whole idea of Jaken caring for their daughter.
"Hnn. Indeed, the imp lacks finesse, and your reluctance is noted. Yet, it is not in his care that the child currently resides," he advised. He knew that this would cause the woman to become even further perplexed.
She pulled away and began to walk towards the castle, speaking as she walked. "Do you mean that you've hired a caretaker or something? Is it a yokai? Because I can't believe you would bring another human into your service, my presence notwithstanding."
It amused Sesshomaru to hear her speak so bluntly of herself. He followed her inside, content to do so. "You are correct to presume otherwise. Setsuna is currently with my mother." It was still rather annoying to think of the woman as a doting figure to any child. His childhood had been rather unpleasant; his mother preferring to take a more indirect approach to raise an heir.
The miko stopped dead in her tracks. She slowly turned around. "I must not have heard you right, Sesshomaru." The information must be challenging to process, for his words were precise and clear.
"The matter took this one by surprise as well." Sesshomaru knew he had an annoyed look about him. "The woman appeared quite suddenly and absconded with the child to 'play.'"
"Absconded? Play?" she tested the words. "Your mother is okay with Setsuna's...heritage?" she asked, seemingly uncertain of the appropriate word to use in the situation.
"Another surprising fact." He must undoubtedly admit so.
"I'm sorry. I guess I thought she might hate humans because...you know…" She used a hand for emphasis.
He gave her a beseeched look. "You think this one and his mother hate humans?"
"Well, not you and not now." She smiled and shrugged.
"Hnn. What you see as hate is merely misguided superiority and a lack of compassion."
She continued to eye him with bemusement. "Judging on the things that played out from your father, I can't say you got those things from him."
"Indeed. Father was very different. Looking back, I held him in contempt for doing what he did. It was not until recently that I understood."
Now she was surely teasing him. "Oh? And what's that? What do you understand now that took you centuries to attain?"
"That humans can be admired for their tenacity."
"Tenacity?" She again was amused by his choice, her inflection raised and humorous.
Of all the traits to admire, he had chosen this one. "Among other things, miko."
She shook her head. "You can call me by my name now. And not miko or woman. I think we are beyond that. I hope we are beyond that." She allowed her words to soften at the end, her meaning open almost like a question.
"Perhaps you would prefer something a little more endearing?"
"Like honeycakes?"
He raised an eyebrow. Whatever 'honeycakes' may be, it would not be a term he would ever willingly use for her.
"It's a sweet treat. Couples often call each other sweet foods where I am from."
He scoffed at the suggestion. "Shall I be entreated to consume you then? To refer to another as edible would suggest that I do as much."
She smirked at him. "Maybe not honeycakes then."
Sesshomaru had already decided on an endearing word. It was something that had come to him unbidden before he had even allowed himself the idea of a future with her. The name had made him feel intensely uncomfortable in the beginning. He could not have ever fathomed feeling this way towards another person. Yet, here he was and no longer afraid of the feeling.
"This one would prefer, Beloved."
She seemed to glow a bright red, her eyes dewy with desire. Before she could respond, a voice disrupted them.
"How disgustingly sweet!" A woman's voice called out.