I tried to edit the scene changing parts and for whatever reason it won't fucking stick so sorry the chapters are messy. If theres anyone wondering the states of the story so far Kagome is clearly beginning to have small feelings. No shes not in love with him yet. But he's offering the security and foundation to her Inuyasha never did. As for Sesshomaru it isn't there yet. I'm not sure how to go about that, or should I say when but obviously the cold Lord wouldn't be swayed to a human woman so easily lol kinda similar to a kamisama kiss kinda situation
Chapter 18
3 days passed since the pair had descended the great mountain. The travel away from the area was with haste less not to meet anymore demons from the same tribe he had so much as slaughtered. Leaving a trail of decorated bodies. The sun rose high that day through the surrounding forest as they passed into it. Midday approached now, with Kagomes legs killing her.
Sesshomaru paced with stride and annoyance. Desperate to get back to the village yet not fully able to warp them there in a breeze. Or transform for very long to gallop there. It was infuriating. Not to mention his attire being so totally ruined and the great Lord did not appreciate looking so… ragged.
Kagome stared at his back, seeing the scarred flesh through his flowing hair. Gaining a look per step. She could sense the negativity in the air just by the way he was physically presenting himself. And it seemed as though he had been careful not to utter much to her ever since the awkward encounter they shared. Nor even remotely a touch. At nights he'd still allow her to have the moko moko but he'd be sure to sleep leaning against a tree to the other far end of whatever clearly they'd come across.
She felt ignored. It was rightfully so in a way. After all, she caused it. Yet again.
Why do I keep doing these weird things… or saying weird crap. He must think I'm a crazy person for the emotions I've been showing lately..
Her head suddenly hung low as she walked behind him in sadness. The pace slowing down ever so slightly.
Sesshomaru on the other hand was on edge. He could not wait to rid himself of this woman. She had been a hassle from the get go, causing problem after problem. Rin must be worried sick. Hoping she didn't run into trouble along the way home as well. His pride was hurt being wounded so badly by a mere human woman. And her emotions were driving his nose insane.
To add onto the issues was her strange behavior the other day at the mention of humans and demons. The way she reacted bothered him. Though he would not dare question whether or not she actually did have feelings for him. He did not truly care that was to say. The thought itself was simply absurd and insulting.
"And just what would be wrong if you took a human for a mate"
Those words were ridiculous. To even question the logic behind that reminded him so much of his fathers delusions. If there ever was a doubt to The Great Dog Demons ways, this woman behind him was living proof. In such a short amount of time she managed to foil his quick plan of conquer and injure him. Then, deciding to foolishly stay behind instead rather than seek refuge. Leaving herself further under his care. How utterly stupid. On one end he felt shockingly guilt for his harsh words, the other held him responsible in honor to her not to be treated so badly while in his care. Such was the way of things. Being a proud man.
The scent around picked up on her sadness behind him. As if things had not been tense or awkward lately anyways. He stopped himself though before even glancing at her, deciding he did not care. Or should he say wouldn't allow himself to. For she'd only grow more attached than she had already proven herself to.
Kagome stared at him a little. Knowing that he could pick up on her feelings. They both were not certain how to go about things since but the fact that he was choosing to ignore her emotions now only further hurt. Nervously running her hands through her hair she clinched her teeth, biting back the tears from falling.
Why am I so stupid? He's going to leave now for sure. Right when we get back he'll have nothing to do with me!
The tears welled up further in the corners of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She was tired of crying. Crying over people in general. And situations that she continued to cause. For once things just needed to be okay. And it felt inside like it'd never get there.
He sucked in hard letting out a frustrated breath smelling the salty tears from the woman. Still, staring and striding forward. Unwilling to pay any attention to it.
They arrived at an area of the forest that set his nerves off even more. Around seemed quiet. And the air slowly began to sting he realized. The inner beast was screaming from within at the sensation picking up that something was off. Thinking back in the last days they had yet to run into a single demon. Which was strange and unlikely for their circumstances.
He stopped, she plopping right into his back. Tears flicking off her face onto his hair. She held her hands up to catch herself, placing them on his back. He winced at the contact but remained forward ignoring it.
"What's wrong?," She asked.
"Silence," He answered, tensing as the air around stung more and more per second. This land was abnormal. A familiar feeling of pain and unwant filling it. Yet he couldn't quite figure it out.
She stepped out from behind him to peer in front but seeing nothing. And noticing nothing. The area was oddly quiet that much was for sure. But things felt pure to her. So many questions buzzing but he quieted her.
"I don't see anything," She said taking a few steps forward.
Inching just a few steps away from him was enough to separate them, as he was suddenly engulfed in a cleansed filled fire.
He landed forward onto his knees, the fire trying to cleanse him. Though Sesshomaru was a strong demon indeed and it'd take a lot more than this to purify him he was aware. Still hurting like hell.
"Sesshomaru!," She screamed going to run to him.
A hand reached out and grabbed her upper arm, throwing her back. She staggered slamming into a tree. Looking up at the attacker. A monk stood before her scowling.
She opened her mouth to say something but was hit hard with the end of his staff straight into her abdomen. She gasped, hunching forward coughing. Spit pouring from her mouth barely being able to make out Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru raised himself to his feet in anger, the cleansing air bringing out his inner demon. The eyes of the beast now stared back at the four monks who dared assault them. Eyeing the one who he witnessed hit Kagome. Rage filled him as he bared his fangs and claws to them. A growl erupting, echoing throughout the forest.
Two stood fiercely, ready to face battle if needed. Meanwhile the other pair aggressively yanked her up by her arms and hair. Her vision blurry losing consciousness. But she could still make out his figure as it was suddenly soaked in red. While it appeared they were escaping into a darkened plain with a new barrier in place.
ooooooo
A hard thud was heard throughout the spacious hideout. On looking monks gawking at the young woman brought before them who lay in the center of the flooring unconscious. A few priestesses also lingering in the mix. Gossip erupting throughout the gathered crowd.
But a staff being repeatedly slammed into the ground silenced them. They stand at attention.
"Wake her now," An old man said.
A young monk approached the unconscious Kagome, suddenly throwing a pale of water onto her.
She immediately awoken, screaming out at the cold contact. The hazy memories surfaced rather quickly as she scanned around, eyeing the room of people looking back at her so disgusted. Wondering just where the hell she was. And what happened to Sesshomaru. Looking up she could see an old man sitting away from her on what looked like a makeshift throne. With a clearly powerful thick staff by his side. Guarded by a room of monks and priestesses.
"Where's Sesshomaru!?," She snapped at him, sure to show no fear. Only anger.
"Be sure to remember that as your first comment as you repent," He said back to her.
She appeared confused by the words.
"Are you unsure girl? You care more for a demon than your own self and situation is the issue in your question. And you call yourself a priestess," He snapped. The surrounding people nodding.
"What the hell are you talking about!?," She snapped, standing up right with the old man drawing anger out in her.
"You are Kagome Higurashi correct?," He asked.
She nodded.
"We have watched you for some time little girl. The woman they claimed to be the shikon priestess. And who has brought great things to the land. But you have committed a crime. The same as the one before you. A taboo," He said.
She grew nervous looking around. Their faces all never leaving the grimace they all first gave her.
"I don't know what you're talking about," She said.
"We have taken refuge here. Underground, us monks and priestesses. At least those of us who are still in agreement of how things need to be. But you've come along and changed the world of humans, allowing demons in the midst of your village!? How despicable!," He yelled slamming his staff at the ground again. She shuddered in fear at the enormous sound that came from it.
"T-They're friends! Good demons! One even makes medicine!," She yelled back in fear yet anger at his prejudice words. But the old man was unphased.
"Demons are enemies! Monsters to purify! But I expect nothing more from the reincarnation of a harlot who lay with one! May her soul burn in hell," He said.
"Don't you dare talk about her like that! Kikiyo was a kind person! A good one! One far better than me!," She said tears of anger flowing out of her eyes, glaring at this man and the people that obviously agreed with him.
"Maybe you are right on that sense. Considering you dare lay with two instead of one. You are certainly a vile woman. We have heard the half breed has left you has he? Such is the fate of all demons. They are untrustworthy. Conniving. But you, say lean to his brother after? More murderous than any who walk the earth?!," He yelled down at her.
She blushed in frustration. This old man wasn't understanding. And he certainly didn't fucking know her to throw so many insults.
"I am not with either of them! Fact is not all demons are bad, they can be friends! For your information he has done nothing but protect me!," She yelled back.
He stood growing angered by her words. This woman who was supposed to be a priestess went against a code that went back since the beginning of humans vs demons. A process that the one before her did so as well, Lady Kikiyo. It was disturbing. And could be the end of humanity. For if humans allowed demons into their arms, demons would certainly take advantage of their trust. Just as they have done for centuries. In return, she must repent.
He motioned his arm her way to point.
"Grab her. Bring her to repent for the sins of fornication with beast. Treat her as the monsters she protects," He announced.
She quickly looked around her as two monks stalked her way. Having no way to defend against their cruel actions.
They roughly yanked her hair back, throwing her to the ground to drag. She screamed and cried out at the pain, struggling to free herself. But could simply do nothing as the room faded into the distance.
Her scalp pulsed in pain at the pulling. They dragged her a little far from the rest reaching a cell. Before throwing her hard inside. Landing face first.
She glared back at them, seeing as they spit on the ground outside her cell to throw insult and walking off. She crawled to the bars, tugging hard at them. But they were sealed shut.
Quickly realizing her situation with the old man's words still ringing in her ears, she kneeled down. Leaning her body against the bars to surrender. Her only worry was of Sesshomaru. That she was too tired to fight for right now.
oooooooooo
Hours seemed to pass by. The facility was underground, that much was mentioned earlier. Only candlelight around to light the way. Kagome laid quiet and asleep at the far end. Twitching her eyes in dreamland.
The old man stood outside the cell watching the young girl sleep. How filthy her face and clothes were from being so roughly handled. But it was of no consequence. For it was what was deserved for the unrighteous.
He kicked the bars hard, letting a clunking sound echo hard. Moaning in her sleep, uttering a single word.
"Sesshomaru…," She mumbled aloud slowly waking up. Rubbing her eyes.
She jolted awake eyeing the cruel old man outside towering over her.
Sitting up she could only glare at him, leaning quietly against the distance wall.
"Are you willing to repent?," He asked. But she said nothing. Only to continue the silent treatment, huffing and turning her head away from him.
But his face remained stern, unwavered by her sassy behavior.
"You shall remain here until you do so child. You have committed a great sin to the gods," He said.
"What sin? I've never laid with any man, let alone a demon one," She snapped. Still unlooking.
"That is not what I meant before you stupid girl. This place is our peace from the chaos you have reeked upon priestess and monks. You realize humans are starting to cast us aside? Following behind your method to co-exist?," He asked.
"Maybe they should. Ignorance is bliss sir," She sassed, crossing her arms over her chest.
He stilled for a moment. Wondering how to reach her so she'd understand the severity.
"Tell me. Who is Lord Sesshomaru to you?," He asked.
She looked at him, continuing the scowl present on her features.
"He's strong. And caring. He's done nothing but protect me and treat me with respect," She answered.
"Do you want to know who he is to me?," He asked. She said nothing, waiting an answer.
"My fathers murderer.," He said.
Her eyes grew wide at the honest words. Her mouth slightly agape.
"70 years have passed. Since that awful day he came to our village. The reason I do not know, I may only suspect boredom. He approached us, and so quickly slayed my father under our villages sacred tree. I was a mere child watching on in fear. The blood dripped from his fingers and he smiled. He looked at me, enjoying my fear before wandering away.," He whispered.
Kagome trembled at his story. Imagining how awful that must've been. And the old way Sesshomaru once was. That malicious smile she remembered from the first time she saw him peer at Inuyasha. Mocking as he recalled his older brother.
"I looked on as he slaughtered a few more before passing through. I vowed by that day I would become a monk. And purify this land of all demons so no human would dare experience such terror by their hands. I am now the high ceptor of this place. Here to protect humanity and lead the righteous to the good path," He said finally. Carefully watching her heart wrenching expression.
She sat hugging herself in shame after hearing the sad story. Pondering the current monks anger but hurt since he was simply trying to show her a right path. But in all, she could not agree. And that was the most difficult part. For Kagome was not a liar. Or one to give in from her convictions.
She smiled sadly, looking at him.
"I'm.. So sorry about what happened. But at the same time, you're wrong.. It was wrong. What he did. Though it doesn't change my mind. Not all demons are bad. So I hope you understand eventually.," She whispered.
His face grew angry in annoyance at the girls stupidity in his eyes. If she would not yield then the only way to get out was to repent. She'd rot in this cage before they let her out to continue to taint humanity.
"Fine. But you will change your mind. Or suffer in here for the remainder of your days. Their is a barrier around this place. That beast is not getting in.," He spat, turning on his heels to go. Leaving her utterly alone.
Kagome lay her head on her knees. Pondering how useless she had felt for so long in the position of a priestess. But that didn't matter. The message this man had relayed had brought her inner joy. Even if she'd spend her remaining days in here, it didn't matter. Kagome did something better. She brought opposing sides together in other villages. Demons and humans. That news was wonderful. And no matter how heartbreaking the old man's story was, she knew Sesshomaru. The man she now grew to admire. The nights she spent studying every inch of his beautiful face as he slept. Knowing at any time she'd lay her life down for him. This odd feeling she was developing was scary considering he obviously rejected the theory, it didn't phase her.
ooooooo
Anyone wondering yes I guarantee ima finish this story. No matter how long it takes to post any new chapter. Can't stand people that don't finish so I'm nawt like that.