Chapter 6
Kagomes mind began to wander off as she sit bored under the night sky. The sound of bugs chirping and the nearby current were her only company since Rin had fallen asleep. She was a bit grateful though, since the conversation wasn't an ideal one. It was a little good in a way, at least now she knew the child didn't hate her or put blame. Not that she thought so before due to the cheerful demeanor she portrayed, even after Shippos death.
Her back began to ache sitting up for so long like that. There was no way of telling what time it was in the night. It felt like Rin had been sleeping for hours. She sighed, gliding her fingers a long the ends of the girls long black hair. Moving the bangs out of her face.
She smiled looking down at her. It was amazing what had transpired earlier that day. They almost lost their lives. The thought was frightening, but at least they were okay now. She was grateful for that much at least.
As she sat thinking back to what they had gone through, her hand began to glow. Seeping onto Rin, her leg did as well. Kagome jerked her head looking at it, the formation fixated on Rins wound.
Her expression astonished.
My powers! How?
She reached over and delicately pulled the wet leaf off of Rins leg. It was closing. The gaped open cut was mending itself back together.
Sesshomaru drew his sword, holding it firmly at his side. While Inuyasha stood eyes locked, pointing it straight at him. They were solid red and purple strips ripped across his cheekbones.
Their stances never wavering at the tension in the air.
The last time he imagined Inuyasha a full demon in the midst of battle, he backed off. Knowing it may end his life. This was different. Standing before him was a man so low he drew the blood of a child. So low, that he relied on the nature of his demon inside to face the reality he could not. While the side that was human had lost all sanity in hurting the one person who still even bothered to give a damn about him. For a woman they all knew, was not coming back. The task in itself was simply unreasonable.
"Are you ready Inuyasha? No matter this new found power of yours, I shall strike it down with you."
There was no reply. He was an animal, hell bent on pure destruction.
Knees bending slightly, he pushed off and charged. Sword and arm behind him as he sprint full speed at his enemy.
Long hair whipped around his body as he suddenly swung hard, letting out an all black flamed wind scar.
Sesshomaru side stepped it, charging as well. He lacerated any flames that did manage to peak his path as he continued through. Launching himself high, he swung baksusaiga downward onto Inuyasha. His brother countered it, swords slamming together. The air blew harshly from the impact.
He pushed all his strength into the blow, watching his brother struggle under the weight, feet digging into the dirt of the earth. It only made the beast inside angrier as he began to growl, pressing both hands under his sword and shoving Sesshomaru off.
He flew back, landing with elegance, and heaved forward again.
Slash after slash he made, Inuyashas pace was that of an equal in this state. The sounds of metal clanged loudly throughout the near land. For the first time being able to keep up with his elder brother. But within the blink of an eye, an adamant barrage was thrust at Sesshomaru.
Jumping back, he gave space between them in attempt to dodge it all. He pivoted side to side, sword knocking several shards out the way. Sesshomaru readied himself for a counter when another batch was thrown directly at him. And unable to avoid it, one speared him in his thigh.
His eyes clinched in pain, moving further back in a far distance to get away. Moving was painful and time was needed so he could pull it out.
As he half stood there, he glanced to Inuyasha. Who only stayed still, clearly struggling. He was breathing ragged as his fangs dung themselves into the bottom lip. Blood leaking slowly.
He's fighting it.
Inuyasha raised his sword to the sky. Swaying it around, and with an aggressive snarl he began to say, "m-eido zanget-." But stopped.
He closed his eyes very tight and dropped to his knees, sword still held high but unmoving. He was fighting it. This demon inside. No matter how much hatred he felt for his brother, he did not want to kill him. Inuyasha knew he did wrong and for that it was why Sesshomaru attacked. It was all his fault.
At least it was his point to argue this at his inner demon, and Tetsusaiga.
Sesshomaru pulled the shard out of his leg, leaving a large wound. He grimaced. It would heal, just not quick enough. Though it appeared Inuyasha was attempting to refuse to continue.
He watched on as his half brother struggled within himself. Waiting for him to snap back to attention so he could end this.
"What is wrong Inuyasha? Stop your struggle and continue. I do not wish to slay you without your full attention, so you may know exactly what I am doing to you."
His eyes peaked open, gold phasing in and out. His other arm grabbed the hand holding his sword.
"N-No.. I c-cant…," He gasped out. He didn't wanna fight. All he wanted to do was live. With a piercing scream, he let it go.
"MEIDO ZANGETSUHA!," Unleashing the swords full ability. Sesshomaru flashed quickly as he could to the side of it, sharp to avoid it. But when his focus came back, Inuyasha was gone. He had fled. And with an injured leg, a blur of red faded off quickly into the foliage.
He only did that to distract me. No matter. I shall kill him in time. And when I land a hit on him with my sword, he shall not heal.
Sesshomaru sheathed his blade and let his weight fall to his knees, inhaling hard. He was soaked with sweat. Examining the wound on his leg.
Inuyasha ran fast while he was still sane enough to have control. This wasn't right. All he wanted was Kikiyo back. Things were fine among the group until the lost of his two friends. It was as okay as it was gonna get. Though he would venture off frequently into the night to talk to the sky, imaging she was listening. Wherever she was. It was good enough. At least that's what he told himself each passing day.
It was hard enough knowing she was gone without having the constant reminder of her face, looking through Kagome. It was so similar. Some days she'd pass by and all he wanted to do was hold her firmly. Telling her everything he shouldve told Kikiyo. But that wasnt fair to her. And he'd stop himself beforehand. The charade of being together slowly diminished.
There was always this harsh guilt he felt in his chest for not being forward to her about it. On one end he was glad she just…. Knew. She caught on. Yet the times she'd approach him to be kind, he couldn't help but snap at her in annoyance. It pained him, but it was something he couldn't stop.
Things began to crack inside when Sango and Shippo died. Watching as the two remaining friends at his side fall apart. Inuyasha was in no space to be a shoulder to cry on then. As he should've. Emotions weren't something he was well equipped to handle.
He'd see the way Miroku would look at Kagome after. But he never helped.
Damn it… this is all my fault. Why. Why did I ever think I could bring her back? Why did I attack Kagome? Why can't I… asked for help once in a while..
Sesshomaru pressed onwards. The flesh in his thigh slowly mending itself together, pushing through the pain without a care. The only worry on his mind was finding the two girls whom he should have detected by now. It was frustrating. But the opportunity to nearly kill his half brother so close by wasn't one to pass up.
Disappearing back into the woods, he began to try and sniff the air. Seeming with any breeze that might have carried their scent over. But nothing. There was no telling where they could be by now. Or if either were to be alive.
The frown on his face became apparent.
He wondered about Kagome, if without her powers, she'd still defend Rin in danger. It was brushed off slightly, having remembered the times she did care during their instances of being enemies. She paid no mind to it.
Sesshomaru, where's Rin?
It played in his mind that one time during the battle inside Naraku. He found her there, when yet again Inuyasha hurt her during his demonic phase. But she said nothing looking at him, only to be aware that Rin was not present. Worry showing on her features.
Never thinking about it before, this woman had been the first human he has ever encountered not to be enamoured with solely herself. In how selfish, pitiful, vile creatures most had proven to be during the centuries he'd been alive so far. Her only issue was having any comfort for the loud and brash thing he was forced to even consider a half brother. Such a waste.
These thoughts were shaken off momentarily as an aura surfaced in the distance. He sprang into action, hastily running in its direction.
This feels like the priestess powers.. She may have gotten them back.
She watched as Rins leg healed up, with only a remaining scar left. Quite unsightly, but there was nothing she could do about that. The color was darkened severely compared to the rest of the skin surrounding, and she could only hope Rin would not care.
Things were finally going more smoothly for the pair after the rough encounter they had endured. It was luck that Inuyasha did not follow them. How they even managed to escape him was baffling.
But things took a sudden turn as she felt a dark energy in the air. As soon as her attention turned to her right, an ogre demon bust out from the forest, heaving and eyeing them.
It felt my energy. Oh god we have no where to run!
"S-Stay away!," She warned, body leaning over Rin as she awakened. Her eyes flew open seeing the situation, taking it in. She clasped her arms around Kagomes torso in fear.
It laughed. A weak priestess and a child would make an excellent meal. It's arms raised over it's head as it lunged at them. Towering menacingly in strong stride.
It reached lower to Rin, grabbing her once injured leg. She screamed out reaching for Kagome as it dragged her away.
"I said STAY AWAY!," Kagome yelled once again, crawling forward to them while placing both hands over the ogres. An attempt to pry the fingers off. Her eyes clinched tight as she used all her strength, unaware her hands grew bright once again.
It let out a scream as she began purifying the beast, light seering through its body with the flesh dissolving into thin air.
Rins leg was set free. Scrambling past Kagome for cover. She looked back, seeing as it backed away unable to prevent further demise. But unable to stop it, the ogre dissolved into thin air.
Kagome opened her eyes. It was gone. With her own will she was able to protect Rin.
Sesshomaru entered the clearing. Having witnessed everything. His appearance may stoic, it was astonishing the power she had.
Possibly from the lost of her friends, the idea of another dying has driven out it's full capacity when faced with a similar situation.
"Lord Sesshomaru!," Rin exclaimed in joy as she ran into him. Arms outstretched with a hug it was stopped an inch away. The blood on his clothes, having exited the wound, was clear. Kagome heard the commotion behind her and turned, facing him.
"My Lord, you're hurt!"
He did not take notice of the child, continuing to stare forward.
"Rin, are you oka-ay….," She tried to ask. But only a whisper drew as she lost her footing, attempting to fully stand was too much. The exhaustion set in.
She fell forward, arms and head cocked back slightly. Before she hit the ground, he flashed quickly. Catching her, snaking an arm around her waist and balancing her body against his.
She was burning up, sweat forming on her face. He could sense she was in pain, even in her unconscious state.
Her lips parted taking shallow breathes. Sesshomaru bent down a tad and swiftly picked her up, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder.
"Can you walk Rin?," He asked.
She looked surprised for a moment, not even realizing the pain in her leg was gone. Looking, there was only a scar remaining. She smiled brightly, "yes My Lord!," Answering.
"We shall make our way to the village."
The trio ventured off into the forest, sun just over the horizon.