Chapter 12
The crickets sang around them as they walked back to the village in silence. The moonlight shining through the leafs up above illuminating them both as it reflected off of Sesshomarus hair. The strains held together perfectly as it flowed per step. She stared, admiring the beauty it was.
He was right.. My hairs filthy compared to how miraculous his is.
Her hands flew to her cheeks in awe, holding the heat behind them closing her eyes. Why was she admiring anything about him? Lately she had been flustered by anything to do with this man. Nibbling her bottom lip slightly at the idea.
He stopped. And in her thoughts she hadn't noticed, bumping hard into his back. She flew back waving both hands frantically in front of her to apologize in fear of his wrath.
"Oh my Sesshomaru I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention hehe," She nervously said.
He didn't reply. He turned back to her watching, unphased. The anxious grin she held was wiped off as she gulped hard. This man definitely was scary.
But she couldn't help but notice how fierce yet mesmerizing his eyes were. The gold washed over irises boring down onto her plain brown ones. She couldn't help but feel insignificant within his presence.
Her mouth opened slightly unaware she was staring at his face hard and lingering, studying the features.
He became impatient. "We have arrived at your hut if you haven't noticed. Be careful to watch where you are going next time," He said sternly as he turned back around and continued on his way, leaving her standing there.
She clamped her mouth shut at his words, suprised by his sudden demeanor. Concluding any small sympathy he may have had was gone, and he had returned to normal.
Her face scrunched as she puffed her cheeks out, struggling to hold her breathe before she'd manage to snap at him from afar. Arms crossed under her breast she looked onward.
His figure disappearing into the darkness on his way back to Rin. Never glancing back at her to notice the offended nature within her current body language. It was frustrating.
But she shook it off.
I just apologized for being rude earlier. Don't needa go putting my foot in my mouth yet again!
Letting her arms heavily fall to her side, she sighed before walking into her own hut. No matter how annoyed she could grow, it was easy to admit any small presence or attention Sesshomaru gave her was in its own way comforting.
She leaned against her wall placing a hand over her heart. Feeling the soft material she smiled, remembering his kind gift.
Even if he did have a real reason for getting this for me, its still nice to think about….
Yawning wide, she stopped to rub her eyes before slowly walking over to her futon and plopped down onto her stomach. Today was exhausting, regardless she wasn't doing much. But the small efforts she made were not in vain. They were definitely helping her. Giving small reasons to get out and socialize with anyone around. She could feel the weight on her heart very slowly lifting.
Are you yet again concerning yourself with the half breed?
His words from earlier had a strong impact. For it was true. It had been a while since she had even seen Inuyasha. And the last time she did, he definitely wasn't remorseful or looking to apologize.
"Sesshomarus right… and there's so much more I could be focusing on instead of someone like Inuyasha…," She whispered.
Inuyasha sat still in the grass, unmoving from his previous encounter with the monk. His words still stung. Hurting his pride.
He sighed angrily, standing abruptly and walking off to go inside.
But he stopped, inches from the porch. Sadness etched across his face. He turned, looking up at the night sky. The stars were bright that night. The same as the night he held Kikiyo close as she died in his arms. The last words she spoke to him. Her lips against his. It was maddening.
"Show me a sign Kikiyo. Anything…," He said up to the sky.
Waiting a moment for an answer, he received nothing. Closing his fist tightly, he continued his way inside slowly.
I doubt I'll sleep tonight after that damn monks crap.
The morning came quickly for Inuyasha.
He walked throughout the building with his arms folded into his sleeves. The young passing monks had been giving him looks as he passed them. Though he paid them no mind it was annoying.
The hells their problem!?
His eyebrows twitched as he wanted to curse them out, but held back. Afraid exerting any negative emotions would make him change back into a demon.
He finally reached the center, a small grassy plain within the middle of the household, the ceiling open. Miroku stood in front of a large group of young kneeling monks, which again gave him looks as he entered.
They looked nearly frightened.
"Welcome Inuyasha, you're just in time," He said smiling big.
He stopped near his friend, feeling quite uneasy. That look was nerve wracking.
The monks bowed down and sat back up.
"What's going on Miroku?," He asked annoyed.
His friend grinned maliciously slamming the end of his staff down to alert the men around. They jumped slightly eyeing their masters clear anger and intent of up to no good.
Inuyasha shuddered.
Oh crap, what's he up to?
"My students. This is my friend Inuyasha, whom as of lately has committed outrageous acts. Within these acts he tainted his sword, explaining the negative aura that admits throughout this place. I know you all feel it. You will test your skills on him today!," He exclaimed to them all.
Inuyashas face turned shocked backing away from his friend. "What the hell Miroku!?," He yelled.
He reached into his sash and pulled out cleansing tags, tossing them over to his pupils who all grabbed a handful quickly. Miroku held onto one, turning to face Inuyasha. He hurled one straight at him, landing on his forehead.
Inuyasha screamed at the burning sensation, flailing about to get it off.
Jumping about in panic and pain, he managed to yank it off. Glaring daggers at the monk.
Miroku still held a bright smile. Looking down at his pupils. He raised a hand signaling for them to stand, they complied. An expression of fear replaced with confidence.
"Now everyone, after my demonstration I want you all to do exactly as I did. It will not purify him since he's only a half demon. But i think knowing that he's the perfect puppet to use for your practice. If he runs, chase him. Have fun with your training today!," He said to them all before walking off.
Inuyasha mouth opened gawking at his friends back as he walked off, took small steps backing away as the young men stalked over to him. Tags raised in front of them ready to be thrown in practice.
"Stay away!," He yelled at them before attempting to run. But just as he said that, tags flew his way. Landing on different spots of his body.
Flailing about again he ran in panic struggling to also pull them off, hearing the men close behind him catching up.
Miroku watched from the distance, chuckling to himself. If his friend wanted to act like a demon, he'd be treated as such. Not to mention he did need a test subject for his new students to target on in amiss to train full monks.
I think this will be good for Inuyasha. To focus on concealing his demon side, and maybe have a little fun. Or at least some kind of interaction. I need to try and help Tetsusaiga next.
With his friend distracted he walked away into the other room. Continuing he made it up to the doors, sliding them apart and entering.
Tetsusaigas aura erupted in an angry fit, pulsing at the monk to leave. His presence surely bothered it. The air was thick and heavy. The sword glowed in the glass case containing it.
The negative energy began to make him sweat, but he didn't let it phase him a bit. Unbothered, he pulled out many of his sutras and threw them at the case. It sparked highly as a roar soared throughout the room.
A harsh wind emitted from it as it brushed across his hair, clothing rippling around him. He cringed at the power.
Inuyasha… are you that pained?
Unwrapping his prayer beads, he clutched tightly holding them outward to face Tetsusaiga. The floor seemed as if it were shaking beneath him. But he showed no fear. Only worry.
"Tetsusaiga! You are protectors of humans, and a friend to us all! Do not seep under pain from your owner!," He yelled at it. But only more roars erupted, shaking the room violently.
Miroku began to chant prayers in hopes of purifying the foul being that became of this sword. Closing his eyes in focus.
Kagome was busy helping out in the fields today with Kaede and the children nearby. The villagers had given her looks for the most part out of the new thing she wore gracefully over her shoulders. But like she promised, she didn't pay it any mind. Her attention today was helping herself become better. Mentally and physically. Though to be honest, bending about was killing her back. It had been so long since she genuinely put in a days work.
"Ugh my god it hurts!," She yelled out as she gripped her aching spine. The children giggled continuing their work. Kaede smiled nervously.
"Lady Kagome has grown rather lazy!," A child said aloud.
She turned to face him with a smile.
"Yea I guess so huh? At this rate I'll have the least by the end of the day!," She said laughing aloud, the children joining her in joy.
She didn't notice Kohaku walk up to her, "Hey Lady Kagome. I have come to say goodbye for now. I am leaving."
She stopped what she was doing at the sound of his voice and looked up.
"Oh Kohaku hey. You're leaving already?," She asked.
He nodded.
"Yes. There are villages in need of my assistance. I have told Rin and the others goodbye. I wish you well, Kagome," He said to her, waving bye before walking away.
She barely raised her hand to wave back, still looking in his direction.
Rin was standing in the background, watching the display. She was anxious and excited.
Lord Sesshomaru walked up behind her, nudging her slightly.
She jumped, looking back at him.
"What are you doing Rin? You should be preparing," He said to her.
She smiled. It had been months since her Lord had allowed her to travel with him. But last time he had made her a promise that he'd allow her to next time.
"I was thinking My Lord.. May I request Lady Kagome to accompany us?," She asked.
He pondered for a minute. Why in the world would she want that woman to come with?
"No," He answered.
She frowned, pouting like a child. "But My Lord, Master Jaken is not coming to watch me! And if there's any trouble you cannot do both!," She begged.
He scowled. "And where is Jaken?"
"I do not know. I had been waiting for him all morning because he knew we were to depart. When he did not show, I went looking. And a villager told me she saw him leaving into the forest today," She replied.
He was annoyed. She was right, he did need someone to help with her. And he did promise. He was not a man to go back on his word. Why did Jaken leave the village?
The day had begun and if anything daylight was running out if they were to depart now. It was a quick decision.
He sighed to himself quietly before saying to her, "go ready A-un. I shall ask the priestess."
She smiled big before hurrying off.
Kagome stood to stretch again, trying to lift the basket off of her shoulders. It was quite heavy and she was having a hard time. With a few grunts of her struggling, the weight had suddenly lifted off of her. She blinked turning to see who assisted her.
Sesshomaru suddenly appeared behind her, holding it with one arm and hastily tossed it to the side. The herbs scattering all about. All of the hard work wasted.
Her jaw dropped in shock looking at what he did, eyes widened.
"Do not fret. We must leave now, Rin must have someone to watch over her. And Jaken is not to be found.," He simply said to her, uncaring what he had just caused.
She turned to face him, face plastered with anger.
"Why the hell would you do that! I worked so hard!," She screamed at him placing her hands on her hips. He scowled down at her in return.
Kaede moved over to the children in worry, guiding them out of the field quickly. Before things got ugly. The on looking villagers faces shown terror at the girls bravery.
"I do not repeat myself," He said disregarding what she had just hollered.
Her brows furrowed further at his words, fuming in offense.
"You make it really hard to be nice to you with all that nerve Mr!," She yelled back.
He scoffed, not having time for this. He walked around her with his shoulder knocking hers hard enough that she staggered a little.
True he was now provoking her on purpose.
She opened her mouth to chew him out more but he interrupted her first. "It is fine. Stay here is you wish. Inuyasha may come and claw your vocal cords out before I return."
She stopped. The anger was swallowed and accepting that she had lost the battle. Since he had a point. But she still did not want to go anywhere with him after the mean encounter he gave her.
She crossed her arms over her chest and sharply turned her head away from him, refusing to give him the satisfaction of answering. And he remained still, back facing her. Clearly awaking for a smart mouth reply.
Rin was in sprint running to them, which he used to his advantage.
Her eyes sparkling as she stared at Kagome anxious for an answer.
"No need to ask her Rin, she compiled.," He said to her as she ran past him.
Rin smiled brightly as she ran up to the priestess, hugging her tightly as she chanted out the fun they would have.
Kagome was unmoving watching Sesshomaru leave. Her face red with frustration at his petty ways.
Did he just use her against me!? That asshole!
She looked down at Rin, raising her hand to rub the little girls hair.
Rin looked up at her still giving a wide toothly grin before gripping her hand and leading her into the direction of Sesshomaru.
Kagome gave an edgy smile as she followed, brows still noted together.
That man knew exactly how to strike nerves. And he was childish.
They reached Rins hut with A-un waiting outside. She let go of Kagomes hand to tend to the reigns. After fixing them, she raised both arms outward signalling for Sesshomaru to place her on him. He did so gently.
After fixing her, he reached out to Kagome. Who harshly swatted his hands away.
"Don't touch me! I can do it myself!," She spat.
He blinked still appearing cold. Moving his hands back his side and walking ahead, he said back to her, "I am waiting for your face to get stuck that way considering you are always upset."
She stood dumbfounded, swearing she saw a glint of amusement in his eyes. But. She chose to smile brightly, getting behind Rin on A-un. This man was not going to ruin her day. And if she wasn't as quick as him, she would not give him the joy of appearing defeated.
She whispered in Rins ear, "So uh, where exactly are we going?"
Rin shrugged. "Who knows! Wherever My Lord wishes!"
That was it. These two had triumphed over her. Her shoulders slung defeated letting out a hard sigh.
If my back wasn't hurting before, it really was kill me now!