Chapter 16
The young men stood watch around the futon their master slept. Days past since the tension rose in the air, stilling in awkwardness. The only reason this half demon was permitted to be around was for the fact that he was the head monks best friend. It was the only reason. While the others stewed in silent prejudice.
Even the sky seemed sad, mocking them from above with the clouds forming ahead.
Inuyasha stood at the opposite end of the wall patient as possible. It was nerve wracking.
A few days prior Miroku attempted to exercise the negative energy surrounding Tetsusaiga. The battle raged on in savage disobedience for it was not going down easily. Before Inuyasha could even become aware of what was transpiring, it had been over two hours. Just long enough for the monk to become physically exhausted to the brink of unconsciousness. Now days had passed since. And he still wasn't awake.
The younger monks had grown worried. Giving him dirty looks while passing. A wordless way of blaming him for their masters current state. It's not like he personally didn't agree though. And he never asked Miroku to do that for him. He had risked his life for nothing.
Scoffing at the memory he turned on his heels and left. Venturing out to smell of the close rain. It was deserving to fit the mood that lingered around everyone.
He walked outside feeling the grass on his feet and the small drizzle quietly falling from the sky. The creases in his face shrouded in worry but annoyance.
I don't know when I've gotten this way. On one end I saved everyone. Now all I do is harm them..
Closing his hands tightly he sat back onto the edge of the porch. Allowing the full force rain to wash over, soaking him. The white hair clinging to the sides of his face and neck while glancing downcast.
"No matter what way I try and justify it, I fucked up… badly..," He said to himself.
After all the damaged caused he deserved to be alone. The faces of Rin, Kohaku, and Kagome ran through his mind. Their expressions filled with terror and the horrified shrieks that echoed from them. It thoughts wouldn't stop.
He aggressively grabbed the sides of his head, barely digging claws into his scalp. Eyes closing tight. They dug deeper and deeper with the screams inside his mind growing louder. Faces of betrayal flashing around.
He stood quickly pounding the sides of his head to get them to stop, but to no avail.
"What do you want!," He yelled out at nothing.
In an instant Kagome appeared in his memory. That beautiful and gentle face smiling at him. All the times she had been there for him. And the troubled times the entire group had been through together. How she held them close.
..Kagome..
He reached out to her seeing the kind smile that was deep down missed. But she turned her back to him.
He scowled, grabbing her shoulder and turning her to face him. She screamed out, falling to the ground. The palm of his hand soaked in blood. Her face showing fear and she kicked away from him, gathering herself up and running away into the darkness.
"KAGOME!," he screamed into the air opening his eyes. His hand searching for nothing. The vision was over.
Looking over his hand it was clean, no blood present. He breathed out raggedy, the rain cleaning off the sweat.
His heart pounded rapidly standing confused, trying to collect his mind at the horrifying image.
A sound snapped his attention to the right. The crowd of young monks watching him in puzzlement. They clamped their mouths shut, unsure of what to make the display they had just witnessed. A taller and braver one pushed the rest aside, standing proudly before him.
Inuyasha tensed collecting himself and posture.
"Friend or no friend, know this. You're not good for our master Miroku. And the insanity is showing bright each day that passes. Heed my warning half demon, if anything happens to him we will avenge his death with the extermination of all demonic entities around.," He threatened.
Inuyasha huffed crossing his arms. "How about you mind your damn business. I'm gonna try to leave as soon as he wakes up anyways."
They only frowned down at him in clear disapproval. The only reason any of them were tolerating this monster was for the head monk and respect for him. If not for that, he would've been dealt with immediately upon arrival. They shuffled back inside together.
The rain poured harder seeping to the skin completely. He was alone again. In life, and in memory.
oooooo
Kagome jolted awake at the thunder cracking in the distance outside. Wiping the drool on her face she looked over at Sesshomaru. Seeing how close their proximity was. It made her nervous as the memory of touching his lips came to mind. Recalling that she scooted away to sit up. The wound on his back looked somewhat better. Even from the short time of one night.
He's so strong. Even to overcome a blow from a priestess like that.
Still the fact was he had not yet awoken, and that was worrying. His breathing was labored normally and she noted that he finally stopped sweating so hard from account of the pain. It was a good sign in all.
Looking hard at his back it was a sight to see, the flesh mending itself visibly. Knotting itself over one end to the other. It was at a very slow pace but it shown clear as day.
Wondering if he had a fever she went to place a hand over his forehead when a thought crossed her mind.
"I wonder… he's like a dog really. So can I check with his ears too?," She said aloud curiously.
Shrugging she brushed the tips of his curved, long ears with her fingers. Applying a small amount of pressure. The temperature seemed fine. They felt strange with such an odd shape and she continued touching, beginning to play with them. Flicking them back and forth between her fingers.
A hard growl erupted from him as it scared her, jumping back surprised.
"Cease your actions at once," He snapped. Eyes opening to meet hers.
"I'm sorry! I didn't know you were awake!," She said obviously embarrassed. Fixing her position back onto her knees.
He looked her over through half lidded lashes, the exhaustion still evident across his face. Sleep had nothing to help the actions of the previous day along with damage on his back.
"This is the second time I have caught you assaulting me while asleep.," He said coldly.
Blushing she pouted, replying, "I wasn't 'assaulting you!"
So he has no idea what I did last night. That's great! My little secret!
She nervously grinned deep in thought. He analyzed her odd behavior before ignoring it. It was of no concern at the moment. Only to see the extent of damage done around his body. He grunted lifting himself onto his elbows, balancing the weight in pain.
She kneeled forward wanting to help but he did not accept it.
He leaned back in discomfort feeling the scabbing area tear slightly at the movements. Even small things like that was too much too soon. Looking around, he noticed his ward and the dragon missing.
"Where is Rin?," He quickly asked.
"Oh I sent her back to the village.. You were so hurt and I couldn't protect her on my own if we got attacked..," She answered.
"You foolish woman. She could have met trouble out there on her own.," He said angrily.
Fiddling with her fingers anxious she wasn't sure how to answer. He was clearly mad at her now over the actions she took. But Kagome did what she felt was best. The only thing around for them was shelter. There was no food and only one container of water as it was.
"Why did you not leave with her?," He asked bringing her back to reality.
Her eyes grew wide at his words. Just what kind of question was that? Did he truly think she would leave him all alone?
"Why would I leave you alone?," She said back.
He only studied her answer. Foolish woman indeed. Being trapped here with no supplies or protection. The best solution would have been to leave.
The smell of rain flooded his nose with the darkness from the clouds outside. It definitely was storming hard out there. The thunder sounding near their location was all that could be made out aside from their voices. Life really had a way of sticking him with this woman against his will.
She grew even more uneasy under his gaze. Feeling the judgement behind those eyes.
"How long have I been out?," He asked.
"Well you stayed sleeping the rest of the day yesterday. And all night."
He sniffed the side of his arm picking up her scent.
She slept along my side last night. I reek of her.
Quite obnoxious.
He stood up and disposed his torn shirt, standing bare. Grunting as he took a few steps past her to the outside of the cave. Allowing the rain to wash over his body. Ridding it of the dirt and grime from being dragged and falling flat on his face.
He racked his hands over his face to scrub them. But as he went further to raise them he gasped harshly. Moving like that stretched the wound and sent sharp pain around. He sighed annoyed.
She watched him from behind. Tracing the strips that trailed down his hips into the hem of the pants. The rain dripping down the toned muscles, cradling the long hair to his skin.
His pained whine caught her attention. Seeing how he was unable to even tend to his hair at the moment, and knowing why.
As he went to turn she stopped him, holding both sides of his arms in each hand. He looked at her over his shoulder, she stood behind him in the rain.
"Let me.. Help you," She whispered. Her hands snaking from the back of his arms upward to stroke the long strains. He faced straight again hinting that he allowed it.
She ran her fingers through the locks untangling them. Moving gentle not to scrap her nails on the wound.
..It feels so soft…
He closed his eyes at the tender feel. A new sensation running through his body from it. Never before had the Lord been handled with so graciously before. Such things weren't needed in the lifestyle he led.
She moved her hand down around the area of his tailbone, seeing the shiver it caused.
He slowly turned facing her, both soaking wet from the rain. The golden eyes were hypnotic under such circumstances and his appearance was godly compared to her simple human self.
"You are possibly going to be sick you realize," He said walking back into the cave.
She followed behind.
"It's alright. It's my fault we're in this boat anyways.," She said.
Ringing her hair out she looked over at him to see if he'd attempt to dry himself. But he tensed and posed himself awkwardly.
She gave a confused look but before she could assume anything he began to shake around. Whipping his hair back and forth, flicking his legs about.
She cried out shielding her eyes from it.
"Stop it! Only dogs do that!," she yelled. Finishing up he pushed his wet bangs back from his eyes glaring at her. Was she being serious?
"Do you forget this form is only a vessel?," He asked in a sassy tone.
It dawned on her the words she used. Really not thinking that one through. Considering he was a dog.
She nervously giggled to herself before sitting down. He doing the same on the opposing end.
The rain began to subside as the sound was disappearing. Still heard in the sat in awkward silence for some time. He not being one for many words. But she on the other end hated it. It make things weird.
"I guess I ruined Rins trip huh?," She said aloud smiling sadly.
"I knew you'd cause issues but she insisted you accompany us," He answered.
She huffed at his insulting words. But she couldn't really argue there since it was the truth. The poor child must hate her now.
He picked up on her disheartened energy, watching as she grew her knees up to her chest. Resting her head atop them.
What a sensitive creature..
"Rin has never been one to like many people. To regard you to an extent that she wishes you be by her side, means quite a bit," He added.
She looked up at him mouth open slightly. It was kind to attempt to ease her fears, almost like he read her mind. No matter how cold he seemed, there was a small light of care.
The sound of her stomach echoed throughout the cave, hunger showing itself yet again.
She grew embarrassed as he watched her. They had no food and he certainly had none to offer. Kagome said nothing.
"If you can wait until the morning, I shall find you something.," He said.
Looking at him she nodded gratefully.
Food was something a human could go without for a while. At least they had water for now. It was a nice thought since she felt like she was absolutely starving by now. Yet another thing played with her heart. Yes it was good that he was going to be okay. But that also meant maybe good enough to leave. Then she'd have no excuse to be around anymore.
In all truth she found herself wanting to be by his side. This demon had proven to offer security, one thing she had not been accustomed to before. She was noticing things about him she never paid mind to in the past. These new emotions stirring inside were becoming confusing to her, but only one thing was for sure. She wasn't ready to be away from him yet.
oooooo