Chapter 13
Midday had long come as the trio continued onward. The sun bore down in heat as sweat formed on her forehead. She held a hand over her eyes, looking up at the blue sky. Not a cloud in sight.
How does he handle traveling all the time in such clothes!? I'm dying with just this on!
Her face drooped looking exasperated as the child in front was busy kicking her feet around and swaying, humming a melody out loud. A-Un seemed as if he enjoyed it as well, bopping his head along with the tune. Sesshomaru tredded ahead of the pack unbothered. Though the scent of the woman's dread behind him was starting to be a nuisance. Was she ever satisfied? Not like he wanted her to come along anyways. Hell he had enough of caring for her within the short time they spent together in the wilderness.
"Uh Lord Sesshomaru? Can we stop for water soon?," She asked from the back of the pack.
He continued forward not acknowledging the words she spoke.
She pouted in annoyance. For a man that constantly made a point that she was the rude one, he sure had nerve.
"Here Lady Kagome, we have water! No need to stop anytime soon!," Rin had said handing her a leather flask dangling off the side of the dragon.
She cringed at the thought of drinking from it, but she complied. Since this man had no intention of stopping anywhere for her. And there were no simple water bottles in the feudal era.
Gripping the container and popping the lid off, she gulped some of the water inside. Letting out a strained sigh after with a grimace. She looked up, seeing the demon Lord eyeing her over his shoulder.
He scoffed, returning his gaze in front of him.
You better turn away you jerk!
She huffed letting the container fall to the side.
They approached a now crumbled mountain side now laying in debris of stones scattered. Obvious a battle had recently transpired.
But he said nothing as they passed by it.
She examined the spot for any sign. Large indents were made into the ground.
She heard him sniffing around, nose held high as he passed by.
"Sesshomaru, do you know what happened here?," She inquired.
"It is where I attempted to kill the half breed. But he managed to get away.," He coldly answered.
Her face went white as her arm came up to grip her heart. It hurt to think about. The feelings were raw. Inuyasha had stabbed her in the back, yet the idea of him dying made her heart stop in pain. And his words were true as they descended the spot his meido had taken with it.
"I see…," She whispered. He could smell her sadness creeping up. It was bothersome. How easily affected this woman became over the simplest things.
He looked back for a moment, eyeing her body language. Her head hung low yet again, eyes void of color and hair hanging over her face.
The memory of her clinging to him for comfort the other night surfaced.
please don't throw me off… not yet..
The way her nails felt digging into his back as she buried her face into his chest. This creature. Though a pain, she was kind. And did not deserve the trouble his half brother had stirred up. What a loyal woman. Loyal, and foolish.
"I landed no hit on him. He is not wandering around injured.," He said aloud.
She looked up at his back, letting her shirt go slightly. A sad smile graced her lips. It was good to know that her former lover had not been slaughtered by this man.
Distance growing between them and the rubbled plain, he decided route through the forest would work for now. He did need to find his human companions food by now. Which the speculation was correct since behind him he could hear Rins stomach turning. Any moment now she'd let him know.
While Kagome also noticed peering down at the little girl who played with the ends of her outfit. Her back laying against hers she could feel the vibration.
Before she could say anything, Kagome cut her off.
"Rin is hungry. We should stop soon."
"I am aware.," He replied.
Listening around he could hear the flow of a river nearby. Enough for them to restore their needs while Rin could snack on the dried meats she brought along.
"We sore," He said. Kagome made a questioning look before screaming shortly as A-Un jerked her backwards. Yanking around Rin who paid the abrupt situation no mind. The dragon followed behind Sesshomaru as he had also leapt high into the sky.
This way would be quicker. They flew over the entire rest of the woods, he landing gracefully while they roughly stopped onto the ground.
Rin hurried to jump off, skipping to the water to play for a moment and eat along it's edge. Kagome on the other hand was dazed a bit feeling for her hair, realizing how disheveled it had became.
She combed her fingers through to smooth it down before he'd notice. But he did. Turning to look her way to see if she was alright after such a harsh landing and watching the pitiful display.
She glared at him, trying to hurry in embarrassment. He said nothing. Only flicking his wrist at his own long locks, seeming to mock her.
"Stop it!," She spat.
He's purposely getting on my nerves!
Rin ran back to them in excitement to share her dried meats with Kagome. Noticing the tension in the air. It made her nervous but she decided to defuse them before her Lord had enough. And she knew the priestess with her didn't take anything, from anyone. Let alone her Lord.
"Lady Kagome!, Come with by the water and partake in the food I prepared!," She demanded.
Kagome looked at her smiling, hopping off of A-Un.
"I'd love to Rin," She said walking past Sesshomaru with her head held high, ignoring him.
He watched her pass by in the corner of his eyes as he himself walked over to a near tree to sit under it. She was annoying. And loud. But a very fun toy to pick fun at. Since his ward insisted on keeping her around. A pest he had to deal with.
She sat alongside the child. Her little feet moving in the water while leaning back to gaze at the sky.
"You must not be so harsh on My Lord. He has a good heart," She said.
Kagome gaped a bit at those words.
Hes a jerk, but she is right…
"You're very right Rin.," She said smiling down at her.
"I mean if not, he certainly would've killed you by now."
Kagomes smile grew into a nervous one with her brows filling with worry. Looking over in his way, seeing him under the tree. She blushed a little for he had been staring at her beforehand. His eyes were blurred over in deep concentration.
Seems like he's got something on his mind..
And that he did. Humanity was a strange concept he did not understand. But tried hard to. Considering he now had Rin. It was baffling to imagine how his half brother could betray such a loyal creature over a woman that was dead. If he could not grasp human emotions, then he could fathom loyalty. It was one thing to cherish.
Maybe that is why Inuyasha had committed the act. For he is half human himself. To think I entrusted our fathers heirloom to him. What a disgusting being he has fallen into.
He snapped out of it, seeing her before him. Holding the container out to him in a way of offering.
"Would you like some?," She asked. His eyes widened a tad at the gesture. After all she had been angry with him for some time now. Well. Constantly.
"What do you really want?," He asked.
Astonished a little offended, she huffed. "Well you could just say No, I'm not trying anything silly. Can I not be nice?"
"Humans do not do anything from another without wanting something.," He answered.
She moved to the side, sitting next to him. She was uncomfortably close he noted. Bringing her knees up to her chest.
This woman is growing too comfortable with me.
"Well. If that's the case I guess it's a thank you for offering to protect me earlier," She said with a smile.
He was confused. Not recalling what she meant.
"Even though you did say it with a dark undertone about me getting attacked, it was still an offer!"
"You are a strange one.," He said understanding what she was referring to. He reached into her lap, and gently grabbing it from her and taking a quick swing.
She eyed him wide. She couldn't really recall anytime she saw him do anything… well normal.
A laugh escaped her mouth, bringing her hand up to cover it. For whatever reason it was amusing. He cocked an eye brow at her, wondering what was wrong.
"What is it?," He asked.
Stopping herself she grinned at him. "Ive just never seen you be normal before."
He stared at her blankly. How ridiculous. Continuing her giggling, he brought his hand up to her forehead. And harshly flicked her. She yelped in pain, rubbing the spot. Before she could retaliate he stood to go off.
"Get ready. We are to depart now.," He said.
She rose quickly, face red and angrily stomping over to the dragon. Rin sighing heavily as she watched the behavior that had just transpired before her.
They were getting along for a moment at least.
oooooo
The day had passed rather quickly since then. The two girls were very sleepy as dusk had set in an hour before. He pressed on though. Just a little further, until he could find a proper spot to rest for the night. The stars aligned the sky above and Kagome couldn't help but he mesmerized by it. It was beautiful. The only guilty pleasure of being stuck in this time was being able to enjoy the surroundings without societys interference.
Rin had fallen asleep, laying her back against her chest. Kagome had brushed her fingers along her bangs wrapping the other arm over the little girl. Holding her in place.
She could only hope Sesshomaru was ready to land soon.
He was. Flicking his wrist he signaled for them to land below. She grabbed the reins and steadied them, lowering downward. It was a clearing big enough for them to sleep under the night sky.
A-Un landed gently this time. Kagome let go of the reigns to pick up Rin, cradling her while trying to get off. Which was a little difficult trying not to drop her.
Kagome became flustered when Sesshomaru came behind her suddenly and gripped her hips in his hands. Lifting her off of A-Un and setting her down.
Turning to him. "t-thank you," She stuttered.
He nodded.
A-Un groaned out as he curled up in slumber. Rin awoke half asleep, squirming in her arms. While Sesshomaru lay his mokomoko out, Kagome set her down. But Rin was half asleep, not paying her attention she stumbled over to the tail and plopped down all the way on the edge.
She ran over to her, trying to awake her to move. But she wasn't budging. Simply groaning in anger at being disturbed.
That means I'll have to share space with him now!
She looked at Sesshomaru who had already laid down on the other edge. Leaving her the middle. She was too tired herself to fight this.
Sighing she crawled into the middle, scooting away from him best as possible.
His eyes were already closed feeling her shifting around to get comfortable. Unaware she left her hair scrawled all over around him. He frowned annoyed reaching to yank it out of his way.
But he stopped an inch away from her scalp. She was already asleep from exhaustion. Breathes drawn out softly. The nape of her neck exposed with the black locks flowing over to him. He gently scooted them out of the way, moving closer to her. Inhaling her scent.
She even smells different than the normal humans around this time. What is she?
"Mm.. Sesshomaru.. I'll find you… just like you asked me to do..," She moaned in her sleep.
His eyes grew wide at her statement. What did she mean? She was… dreaming about him…
His eyes softened. Laying his head down close to the back of her neck, he closed his eyes allowing her scent and sleep to envelope around.
She stirred. The dreams flooding her mind. He stood before her. The pony tail flowing beautifully in the breeze of the night. Looking at her with nothing but pure passion and love. The eyes that were once so cold had shifted. She dried her tears looking into his, raising his arms to embrace her. And she allowed it, throwing herself at him. Letting the warmth consume any fear or sadness she held within that awful nightmare.
"Did you find me Kagome?," He whispered burying his face into the top her hair. The grip so gentle and firm around her waist.
She nodded, slowly wrapping her arms around his neck and nuzzling her face into it.
"Just like you asked me to," She answered.
He let go, sliding his hands up her waist past her shoulders, only to cup her face bringing it closer to his. She stared at him in awe, flustered at the details his face held. Those perfectly shaped strips across his cheeks. And the moon crest it held.
He pressed his lips to hers, wiping away any tears left with the end of his thumbs.
The mokomoko wrapping itself around her body to keep her close. She stiffened a bit before collapsing into the embrace, giving in.
In a sudden movement she awoke, sitting straight up her heart pounding hard. Breathing ragged, she lifted a hand to her lips. Still feeling him pressed against her.
I was… just dreaming right?
A heavy feeling wrapped over her waist came to her attention. She glanced down, gasping. Sesshomarus arm was drapped across her in his sleep.
She looked at him. Sleeping peaceful with his bangs over his eyes. Taking small breathes.
She blushed harder, imagining himself in the future. The version of him that loved her. A piece she was once determined not to let happen.
She slowly moved, sliding under his arm. Only this time facing him. Barely an inch away from his face. She curled her hands under her chin as she studied him. He slept without a care. Almost seeming like a defenseless creature under her gaze.
I could see it… myself… falling under this man's spell…
She shook her head a little at the thought. He would never even consider the same. The demon she met that night must not have been real. A vision she only wanted to see, for whatever reason at the time.
It was tiring. Her heart settled a bit now feeling pained in her chest. Letting sleep take over once more.
oooooo