Lucy pressed her lips into a fine line to keep from squealing loudly in delight. She had been carried many ways in her lifetime. From the Fireman carry over the shoulders to the princess carry. But this was the first time she had felt a thrill from being carried piggy-back style. Nope, she loved this so damn much and was slightly envious of Kagome, who got to experience this daily.
Shortly after acquiring Kanna of the Void, her Ruby Key of the Goat, Lucy had requested a small four-day break. She had wanted to rest, meditate, and get acquainted with each of the new Keys. Allowing her to cement her bond with them, as well as learn to use them more efficiently. A part of her was still sad that she couldn't 'Star Dress Equip' with them. But the other benefits she received were just as good.
Now though three weeks later, after Kanna had directed them back south, they had hit a rough spot. The weather was changing rapidly, and the terrain was getting rather rocky and mountainous. And traveling by foot was becoming harder and harder. Lucy, of course, understood that they had to move quickly since she could sense the Key as they got closer to the mountains.
And because of that, it was decided that InuYasha would carry her on his back as he did with Kagome. Their friendship was still tentative at best. But he hadn't been opposed to it after having his father, Toga, pop out and tell him he was disappointed by his lack of courtesy to a woman. Lucy had rolled her eyes at this and did want to push the issue if he was uncomfortable with that level of skinship. Only to have Sesshomaru look absolutely devilish and suggest that InuYasha carry Miroku like that so Lucy could ride Kirara with Sango.
Which led to Lucy enjoying the feel of her stomach jumping up in her throat whenever InuYasha came did a controlled landing before springing to the next tree branch or rocky outcrop. Lucy couldn't help the thrill of excitement that was making her blood pumping through her veins. She needed to laugh aloud yet knew it could hurt InuYasha's sensitive ears. So, when he started to arc down for the next landing, Lucy buried her face into his back and giggled into his hair. Her hands gripped his shoulders a little harder when she felt him stiffen and lightly dig his nails into her thighs.
"Sorry," Lucy whispered once she finished her giggling. "This is a thrill. And so fun. I feel safe with you, InuYasha."
She spoke softly so only InuYasha could hear. Though Lucy was sure, Sesshomaru and Shippo heard her. Especially since she now felt a heavy gaze directed at her.
"Feh," InuYasha grunted at her. "If you say so."
Lucy didn't have to see his face to know he was probably rather embarrassed. That was something else she had come to notice about InuYasha, and he had very tsundere tendencies when complimented. It was adorable and made her want to tease him, but that wouldn't do good. In the past few days, they'd talked a bit more, and Lucy had learned a bit about his childhood and the prejudice he had suffered for being a half-breed.
"I do say so," Lucy said as she buried her face in his hair to giggle again on their descent.
0000000000000
He walked around the perimeter that had been established outside the cave. They'd traveled a fair distance since dawn, even with the wind and rain beating down. Sesshomaru was familiar with this area, so he knew of the many caves in this area. He felt restless. It bothered him that he was feeling like this. Then again, Sesshomaru hadn't liked the fact that the woman was bonding with his little brother.
Narrowing his eyes as he looked out into the darkness of the night, letting the rain soak him, Sesshomaru forced his thoughts away. He had chosen to be on guard for the night since InuYasha had carried the woman's weight all day. And he wanted to keep a distance between him and that woman, and she was annoying and very distracting with her magic and strange mannerisms.
"Lord Sesshomaru, I have your portion of or repast."
Turning his head slightly, Sesshomaru looked at Miroku. He could tell that the monk had something to say by the faint glint in his eyes. Giving a nod of his head as he held out a hand, Sesshomaru ate silently.
"I find that Miss Lucy is similar to Kagome," Miroku said softly. "She has a personality that slowly draws people to her and opens them up. But at the same time, she is very different from Lady Kagome."
Sesshomaru paused between bites and glanced at the monk from the corner of his eyes. He agreed that she was both similar and different from Miko.
"I wonder, though," Miroku said, his eyes narrowing as he too looked to the darkness of the night. "Miss Lucy seems to have been sent here for a very clear purpose. But I can't help but feel that there is more to it. Even then, she might know? And after it is all said and done, will she go back to her world?"
Sesshomaru blinked his eyes passively as he felt his body stiffen slightly. This question wasn't something he hadn't given any thought to previously. But now that it was being brought up, he didn't want to think about it. Why he didn't want to think about it, Sesshomaru couldn't say as he didn't know.
"Hn," was all the reply Sesshomaru gave to Miroku.
"Well, do please enjoy the meal," Miroku said, his lips curling slightly. "Miss Lucy's spirit Virgo made it for us."
TBC!
