Chapter 10
Eyes fluttered open with a blurred vision, adjusting ahead to the ceiling. The suns rays settled on the floor where he lay while the breeze carried into his senses. The sliding doors were open leading to the outside. Allowing nature to be carried in. This place what somewhat unfamiliar aside from a distinct scent he could not figure out. That is what he could make out over the inscent burner sitting not to far away.
He rubbed his face attempting to sit up. But wincing at the new stinging sensation from the side of his head.
.. I.. Was a demon. And something hit me. Or someone? Where.. The hell am I?
Peering around it all seemed clear yet nothing dawned just yet. Wherever he was, the only appreciation was that he was back to being his normal self. That is until the demon side would begin to feed off of Tetsusaiga once more. He reached to his side in alarm at the thought.
My sword! Just where the hell is my sword!?
A scent caught his nose, and he turned quickly to see his long time friend. Miroku stood standing right along the outside staring in.
"It is good to see you're awake and back to yourself," He said smiling.
"Miroku! Just where the hell is my sword?!," Inuyasha yelled back.
Miroku sighed heavily, motioning to sit on the hallway lining the outside. Inuyasha eyed him down from behind as he took a few steps outward.
"My friend I see you're in dark times. Do not worry. I see your sword has been tainted. Could I ask why?"
"That's none of your business! Just give me my sword back so I can go! You don't need to be around me right now. No one does," Inuyasha answered, voice trailing off from a saddened tone.
"Well one things for sure. You should've turned into a demon without the sword in a way of protecting yourself. But if anything it's done the opposite. You know you didn't turn back into normal for a while. I lit a burner with calming scents in it hoping it'd help you."
Inuyasha was growing annoyed at the situation. He didn't like it to begin with let alone his best friend asking questions. Nor was he very proud lately.
"Fine. If you won't tell me where my sword is then at least tell me where the hell I am," He demanded.
"You are in a monks temple. I resided here for a while in my life. After recent incidents I have returned to my servitude in being a true monk."
"By incidents you mean Sango being slaughtered," Inuyasha said back to him in a harsh tone. Expecting to be reprimanded and sent off, he received nothing. Mirokus face never changing. He stared forward into the grassy field, calm and unwavering.
It made him uncomfortable seeing him like this. How could he be so not phased? All he wanted was for the damn monk to throw his sword at him and demand he leave.
"Precisely Inuyasha. After such i have gone back to the life I had always known."
"Well I can care less of the new accomplishments you've got here. Just give me my sword back so I can leave. You shouldn't have even brought me here, I didn't ask you to idiot," He spat.
"I am aware. But. If you won't accept my assistance as a friend, then I'll just have to force it as monk. You're causing mayhem among people. Out there in the wilderness behaving like a wild animal. So that'll be my new reasoning. And no, you cannot have your sword back. Not just yet at least.," He simply said.
Inuyasha grew frustrated. Patience wearing thin he shouted, "just why the hell not!"
"It should be obvious as to why. It's tainted. And it'll continue to transform you into a demon unless it's taken care of. Just be grateful I found you instead of someone wishing to simply kill you."
He stood dumbfounded. Unsure what to counter with considering this monk had a point. Hopefully he could actually do something, which there was doubt, because he certainly did not enjoy having zero control over himself lately.
But one things for sure. He wasn't about to fess up as to how Tetsusaiga got tainted. Not like he believed Totosai anyways.
Miroku stood, calmly walking away. Inuyasha mouth agape quickly composed himself to follow.
I guess I don't got a choice but to do whatever be goes with. Though I wish he wasn't meddling in my damn business.
They entered a darkened room. Sliding the door open, the air held an ominous vibe within it. It was thick as well. Sutras held the walls around with sacred beads covering a case at the far end. With it Tetsusaiga.
Inuyasha ran over to it, placing his hand on the glass case. But doing so he was projected back, body shocked by the spell that held it.
"I wouldn't touch it if I were you Inuyasha. The incantations I placed on it were specifically meant to keep you away from obtaining it. That, and right now being separated from it has made your heart grow back to his normal compassion."
Inuyasha gasped at the pain as he slowly rose again, glaring at his friend.
"Well ya could've told me that before! Pft."
He looked down at his hand, now burnt across it. The pain subsiding. But his attention focused back to Tetsusaiga. It's aura growing darker after the encounter.
Tetsusaiga… what's wrong Tetsusaiga
His thoughts called out to it but he was met with a sharp hiss feeling, almost like a sound being carried through the air.
His sword was rejecting him now.
"Now that I have separated you both, I am going to try and expell the dark energy that clouds your sword. But. I'll add it may not work. It is worth a shot though.," Miroku said.
Inuyashas head hung low. Nothing was more worrisome at the idea of Tetsusaiga wanting to be free of him. Darkened and tainted. After all the work he put into it. To be lost so easily over his betrayal.
"I'll add this Inuyasha. You two are connected. You confessing your sins to me may help the process. I'm not stupid. You're half human. The only way for this to have happened was for you to commit an act your heart would deem horrible."
He stood quiet for a minute. Too ashamed to think straight. But Miroku was right. And so was Totosai, he concluded.
"If it means saving Tetsusaiga where I couldn't do for Kagome then so be it.," He whispered.
Miroku scowled for a moment. Pondering the mention of Kagome. At he had not noticed, that the darkened chunk of hair and bone fragments were missing. It was shocking to find such items on Inuyasha. But it would be a manner of bringing it up later. For now he merely had to keep his composure to get to the bottom of what exactly was going on. Though, he did have an assumption.
He placed a hand on his friends shoulder and led him out of the room, sliding the doors shut. Hopefully he truly cracked Inuyashas pride. But the lingering worry remained. Could he even help his friend? What had he done that was so wrong for even Tetsusaiga to turn?
Kagome huffed as she strolled towards the hot springs. Ready for a much needed bath after the ordeal she was put through.
Sesshomaru is such an ass. How dare he embarrass me like that!
Arriving, the moist air felt nice at the longing for the touch of water. Hot water that is. She began undressing, slipping his shirt down her shoulders. Then bottoms.
Sliding under the water she moaned a heavenly sigh. Leaning against the stone, thoughts of herself slamming into the huge rock within the river flooded her mind.
She reached up and gently grasped the crook of her neck. Remembering the pain. Letting her hand slide, she scraped the forming scars in her upper arm. Deep indented claw puncture wounds held her skin, now nearly healed. This bath was supposed to be soothing but it was quickly triggering things in her mind.
Inuyasha.. I'm so scared of you. But, I also have to admit. I kinda miss you…
Her eyes grew wide as an image of Sesshomaru flashed before her mind. Though it was true…The whole time she was with him and Rin, Inuyasha barely crossed her mind. Not even of the fear she had been holding. Or the grief of Sango and Shippo. Maybe it was the start of something Kaede told her, to find a new form of happiness.
She scowled, sliding under the water until it reached the bridge of her nose.
As if Sesshomaru would bring her happiness. He was such a jerk. And had moments earlier kicked dirt all over her.
I'm quite tired of dog demons anyways thank you very much.
But the sadness began to come again like it had before she even left the village. What was there even to be happy about in her life anymore? Were there only to be tiny bits of it, with no real friendships attached? Just people… people to come and go. And to distract her for the time being, just so she could wallow again once they had gone. It was maddening.
That's right. I Was going to start my new life… well my old one. Back home. I should've settled on just never coming back!
Tears slipped into the corners of her eyes. She left them slip down mixing with the water.
In a second she tried to disregard it, running her fingers through her hair. Massaging the dirt out, she blushed remembering Sesshomaru raking his through a piece of it earlier. She would not admit it then but he was right. It was definitely dirty.
An hour passed before she got out. Though she only put her tank top back on, and neatly folded Sesshomarus shirt. She decided to ask Kaede if maybe she had an extra Priestess attire for her to slip on. Or if Rin washed her other one.
Gathering it, she walked out of the clearing and treated on her way back to the village.
The gentle breeze was enough to chill her arms but she paid no mind. It was time he got his shirt back anyways.
Reaching her hut, she entered seeing Kaede sitting down readying lunch.
"Hello Kagome. I am glad to see ye are back and well.," Kaede smiled to her.
Kagome sheepishly smiled back scratching the back of her head. "Oh yea! About that, I let Rin borrow my shirt because she was all wet. You think you've got another one for me to use?"
"Ah that tis why ye have adorned Lord Sesshomarus. Many villagers had come baring questions, to an assumption of a recent endeavor of yours," She said stirring the contents of the food.
She glanced over at her while doing so.
The color drained from Kagomes face. Why hadn't she thought of that before walking into the village wearing it?
Oh great! Now everyone's gonna think I just get with any demon guy that comes around!
"I am not with him! He just let me use it for a bit!," She snapped, turning on her heels and hurrying off. Leaving a quite stunned old woman.
Storming down several huts she came to Rins. Barging in, she laid eyes on gold orbs. He sat against a wall, staring daggers at her bold rudeness.
"You!," She pointed to him blushing, then tossing his shirt into his lap. "I am not your woman you got that!? And I don't want any people around here thinking so!"
Rin sat with her eyes wide and mouth clamped shut in mental anxious. How this woman could have no fear in front of her Lord was beyond her.
"Everytime I come to believe you could not get more ridiculous, you baffle me. How anyone could believe a demon such as i could grow fond of an annoying creature like yourself? Ridiculous.," He coldly said.
She stood flustered, shame seeping in as she saw how nervous Rin was fidgeting.
"Are you done Priestess?," He asked.
"I-im sorry. Kaede said the villagers were talking since I came back wearing your shirt..," She apologized in regret.
He scoffed looking away from her.
She stared wide eyed at him before slowly backing away, exiting the hut. It was true. She was rude. And hot tempered. That was something she'd have to work on instead of constantly humiliating herself.
Hugging her arms, she began to wander. Head hung low in a clear state of sadness. Ignoring those who she passed that would speak.
Reaching the end of the village, she continued on the edge of the forest. Passing the meadow and peering just barely along the lines of it.
She sat abruptly, body heavy feeling. Tucking her knees under her.
"Hey guys… I don't know if you can hear me. Things just haven't gone so well lately. Between what's been happening, Inuyasha, and being trapped here, things seem hopeless.. What am I gunna do?..," She whispered to the two graves before her. They remained silent and unmoving. Something that was expected, she couldn't help but weakly laugh.
Did I expect an answer?.. That's right.. Inuyasha always told me it was bad to come here all the time…
"I'm just an embarrassment. A weak embarrassment.," She said to herself.
Footsteps of leaves crunching behind, Rin had followed. She stared at Kagomes pitiful form, how she was clearly unaware she was even there.
The child stood silent and sad. Remorseful for the woman that saved her life. Though she was rude to her Lord, it was obvious she was going through some stuff. Something a demon such as he could not simply recognize or grasp.
"You are not an embarrassment to me Lady Kagome.. You're a hero," She whispered.
Kagomes head snapped up at the voice and turned, looking at the child.
Rin smiled slightly and positioned herself beside the priestess.
One arm hugged her knees while the other traced the outline of the engraving on Shippos grave, much like Kagome had done many times.
She stared at the child. It had never crossed her mind how often Rin must've come here to do the exact same thing as her.
"I talk to him all the time… wondering where he is. If he can even see me. To tell him how much of a failure I may be at times. Though of the accomplishments I have achieved as well.," She said. Continuing, "I came here immediately when Kotaku and I arrived. To tell him. To tell him… how you saved me."
Kagomes eyes grew wide. Watching as Rins face appeared solemn before her. The gentle way she spoke. How even more shameful to be comforted by a child. Though no matter, she invited it.
She carefully wrapped her arms around Rin, embracing her. In return Rin barely moved, leaning her head into Kagomes chest. Quietly staring at Shippos grave.
"Thank you Rin…," She whispered into the little girls hair.
Sesshomaru watched the exchange from afar, proud of the maturity his ward showed. She was blossoming into a wise youth. Regardless if the priestess understood or not, he was aware that she was still grieving. He smelled it on her. For so was his ward. Which was the only reason he had not reprimanded her so for the outburst lately.
But a pinching feeling crept up into his heart. Remembering how once Rin had died. When he ventured into hell after so carelessly bringing her along to greet his mother. In a blind path of gaining strength. It was foolish. Such same blindness this woman has….
Watching their moments together he knew of the mortality that he dreaded for his ward. Something else combined with the thought though. Of how this priestess was also going to die one day. And even though she annoyed him to high heavens, in a small way he would miss even that.
He let out a heavy sigh, stepping back heading to the village. Leaving the two in private.