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ABC Thought

Chapter 13

The next morning

At a flower field within the forest

"Look! Onee-chan! Aren't they pretty?"

Wandering around the area, she picks up various of wild flowers and show them to me.

"Yes."

I nod, patting her head and she grins brightly. Seriously, her cheerful face has never ceased to bring a smile to my face.

Since Sesshomaru has gone off somewhere together with Jaken earlier, we are now left in Ah-Un's care. And it will carry my backpack whenever I'm not using it.

While watching Rin, I spot a familiar figure sitting not too far away.

Huh? It's that fox again. What does it want this time?

Again, the white fox runs away once having gained my attention. However I'm hesitate to chase after it.

What about Rin? I can't just leave her here alone...

Well, we have been sitting here for a while now without any possible threat. I suppose that this place is peaceful enough stay and beside, Rin still has Ah-Uh here to protect her.

Not to mention Sesshomaru is probably on his way back so...

After spending a couple of minutes debating. I decide to leave, but only for a little bit.

"Stay here with Ah-Un, I will be right back!"

Before going I toss my Naginata to Rin's spot. Assumed that bringing it along will only slow me down and unnecessary.

"Eh? Onee-chan, Where are you going!?"

Too busy making flower crowns for everyone, Rin cannot get up in time to catch up to me.

"Hey... isn't it seem much slower than before?"

It feels as if the fox's wanting me to follow. After leading me out of the flower field, it stops and just sits behind the bushes. Taking the chance that it's guard is completely down, I launch foward to catch it with my hands.

"Alright! Let's see what kind of big secret you're hiding!"

Seconds later the ground under my feet disappears, along with that sneaky little thing.

"…What? Kyaahh!"

I'm forced to do a free falling and rolling down the hill, screaming at the top of my lung before hitting myself here and there multiple times before everything turns black.

Some time later...

"O-Ouch…"

When finally gaining back consciousness, I find myself lying on the ground, inside someone's hut. Looking down, I notice that not only my body is messed up by that jump earlier but also my uniform. It's too wrenched and dirty to be considered clothes.

"Huh..? Where am I?"

Hearing my weak voice, a girl approaches. She has long black hair and simple clothes, seems to be around my age.

"Oh, you're awake! What a relief, you was unconscious and covered in blood when I found you."

To think that a human villager would bring a completely stranger like me back to her house, and even nursing me till I'm awake. She sure is a kind person.

"Thank you miss. For saving me."

"It's nothing much. Though I still can't believe that you've made it out alive even after falling from such height."

Her head tilts. Confused when seeing me healing in such a miraculous speed. "Say, you are not normal, are you?"

Trying to avoid her gaze, I back away and pretend to yelp out loud. Hugging myself in pain.

"Well…I Uh…Ouch! You must be mistaken... I'm still badly injured, you see..."

Suddenly by the door appears an middle-age woman, handing her a small bowl of some green liquid.

"Keiko, Give this to her."

Therefore Keiko accepts and passes it to me. "Here, take this. It will make you feel better."

Almost throwing up by the sight of bitter medicine, I quickly put the bowl aside.

"Erm…Thanks, I will drink it later?"

"Keiko!" Suddenly we hear a shout and at the door appears a guy that I assume to be another villager. He's panting heavily, seems to have been rushing here from a long way nonstop.

"Satoshi?!"

Keiko approaches him in concern and Satoshi grabs her shoulder tightly.

"Why are you still here?! You should have been away from the village already!"

"Yes, I did but…But on the way, I found an injured girl lying under the hill. And I couldn't just leave her there so I brought her back here…"

"You saved her but what about you?! Do you really want to die?!"

"If I run away then everyone will die and I definitely don't want that!"

Cannot stay clueless any longer when their story is somewhat having myself included, I ask the two.

"Uhm…What is going on here? Why is everybody dying all of the sudden?"

And the old woman let out a long sigh. "Our village has a rule that for every year, we have to offer a maiden to the Lake's god."

Did I just hear her mention a lake's god?

"But why a maiden?"

"Because that girl will become the God's bride. So it's compulsory for her to be a maiden or else he will get angry and murders everyone in the village."

What the hell, he gets married every year? Just how greedy can this dude be?

"And it's my turn this year… Satoshi and I are lovers, he didn't want me to sacrifice myself so he wanted me to run away."

After explaining to me about their tragic situation, Keiko bursts into tears while hugging Satoshi, as he too, in the verge of crying.

"And yet you're still here. Just what are you thinking, Keiko?!"

Despite having told to leave the area for more than a week already, Keiko still refuses to do so. Stating that she cannot let her selfishness kills them, and everyone else.

Figured that the whole bizarre culture thing isn't something for a stranger like me to butt in. Still, Keiko has helped me back then so I should be doing something for her in return. And it's probably not going to turn out pretty, for me mostly, but at least it's better than watching the girl die.

"I know this may sound crazy but…Will an outsider count?"

While everyone's still being depressed, I hold up my hand to suggest.

"What?! Are you saying that you are giving yourself up to the God?!"

Of course my idea instantly earns gasps and shocked looks from everyone.

"However in order to become the God's bride, you must be a maiden. Are you sure that you are a…"

Due to my uniform being too revealing. Satoshi raises his eyebrow at me.

Annoyed, I yell to shut him up. "I am!"

Meanwhile…

Sesshomaru is searching for Shiomi since she hasn't presented herself within the group after he returns.

Spending a while flying through the air following her scent, he reaches to a spot under the hill where Shiomi has fallen on and checks the stain of blood on the ground.

This is still new...

He frowns once catching another unfamiliar, revolting smell mixed along with hers.

She must have been taken away by a human.

Sesshomaru takes off again to follow their scent toward to the human village's lying nearby.

After introducing me to the village chief, he eventually agreed to let me replace Keiko. Not wasting any more time, the women are ordered to give me a flower bath and make-up in bridal clothes. Preparing for a new bride.

Around 30 minutes later.

I am now sitting on a mat carried by four village men toward to the lake, with the village chief leading the whole group up ahead and the middle-age women in fancy clothes following from behind.

Similar to any other bride from this era, I'm dressed in a formal white bride kimono with a white Tsunokakushi (Looks like a hood) to cover my hair, and of course a face full of thick make-up.

Talk about super uncomfortable!

I cringe, struggle not to collapse under the several layers of clothes as they are so hot and heavy. Plus I'm not used to having this much of make-up, it makes my skin feel kind of funny and itchy. And to make things worse, I've never been a good swimmer.

Hopefully the lake won't be too deep.

Once reaching to to a huge lake, the chief stands in front of it and calls out.

"Oh the great Lord of the Lake, I present to you our pure maiden."

In instant, giant bubbles appears on the water surface and something swims up from the depth of the lake. Reveals to be a giant snake like creature with bat wings and lizard hands with sharp claws.

So this is the Lake's God they've been talking about. No wonder everyone's afraid.

"Please, accept her as your new wife...!"

Even after having witness its terrifying appearance for so many times in the past, the village chief's still afraid greatly but he still tries his best to finish his job. Offering me up to the thing.

Slowly it approaches and stares at me closely from head to toes. While I trying hard to remain calm on my seat.

"Hmm…Such a beautiful bride, I am pleased. Alright, I shall allow you humans to keep your lives this year."

Its answer immediately earns a cheer from the villagers and they bow to him.

"We are deeply grateful, my lord!"

Since everything has settled, the village chief orders his subordinates. "Our duty here is done, let us return!"

Only a second later, everyone's gone out of sight and leaves me behind with the beast.

So, I'm going to become this thing's wife, huh. Just great.

Letting out a long sigh, I stand up from my seat and try to remove some parts of the kimono. Since it's too uncomfortable to stay in and too heavy to move around. However only after taking off the hood and a bit of the garment, that giant snake reaches out its hand and grabs me by my waist, picking me up from the ground before I can even react.

"W-Wha?!"

And its perverted laugh makes me to realize that my action has regrettably triggered the thing.

"Heh heh heh, no need to be hurry. My sweet. You can strip as much as you want once we get back to our cave!"

Okay calm down, this is not the time to be panic.

Knowing that it would be stupid to go into battle empty-handed, I had hidden a knife inside my Kimono back at the village. Now all I need to do is to sneak up on the snake's head and stab it in the eye.

But would it be wise to anger this thing? Will it go rampage on the villagers and destroy the whole point of this forced wedding?

I freeze at the thought, starting to regret for not having think this through from the beginning.

"My dear, you look so delicious. I can't wait to eat you~"

Suddenly it smirks and licks me by the cheek. The feeling of something warm, long and slippery runs all over my skin disgusts me to the point that being struck by lightning, multiple times at once is still hundred times better.

"Gyah!"

Quickly, I try to wipe its saliva off my face all over and over yet they still refuse to get off.

"Let's get going now, shall we?"

Carrying me in its hand, it spins around and heads toward to the lake. Seeing that we're getting close to the water, I shut my eyes tightly and take a deep breath.

Within a split of second, someone image's suddenly pops up inside my mind. Sesshomaru!

Surprised by my own thinking, I gasp out loud and end up releasing all the air I am trying to hold in.

What the heck? Did I just call out for him?!

Is it out of habit? Since I've gotten used to being rescued by him for a while now...

As the youkai is getting into the lake, a ball of light appears from afar and charges at its back. Causing it to stumble, almost falling flat on its face.

"Ack!"

Hurt by the sudden crash, it turns around and realizes the attack just now belonged to a certain Inu youkai.

"How dare you hit me, insolent brat?! Do you even know who I am?!"

"S-Sesshomaru-sama?!"

The sight of him standing fearlessly before us in the air bring me tears of joy. Although now I have a feeling that his sharp eyes are piercing not only through the giant snake but also my skin and bones.

Such an intense glare that it makes me gulp in fear. Uh...He's not going to kill me too, is he...?

"Release her."

Therefore Sesshomaru demands, drawing out one of the swords at his hips. And it bursts out in laughter due to how ridiculous it sounded.

"Hah! Dream on! Who do you think you are to order me around?!"

Its laughter soon turns to into a yelp when Sesshomaru swings his sword and strikes the snake at its chest. Angered, it launches its huge tail at Sesshomaru to smash him to pieces. But he easily dodges them all.

"Curse you! This is my wedding! She is my bride!"

Taking the chance that his arm, which is keeping me inside, is unguarded. Sesshomaru rushes forward and cut it off. However, its grip refuses to loosen up and I'm forced to fall together with it.

"Aahh!"

Fortunately, Sesshomaru has rescued me from that detached arm before I hit the water below. To prevent myself from falling again, I hug him tight by the side.

Meanwhile the giant snake's gone mad for losing his soon-to-be bride and let out a ear-tearing roars. Launching itself at us to strike with its other arm. "Die!"

Sesshomaru jumps to dodge and while at it, he cuts the other arm off and fires a huge blue energy blast at its head. Splitting the thing up in half.

Watching the snake's body parts drop into the water, I sigh in relief.

"What do you think you are doing?"

Then I hear Sesshomaru's low voice by my ear and shift my head back. Seeing him sheathes the Tokijin and lifts me up with his arm for me to face him.

"As you can see, Sesshomaru-sama. I was about to get married."

To answer to his question, I raise up my kimono sleeves to show off the pretty bridal kimono and he frowns. For some reasons his gaze doesn't seem to affect me much like any other times.

"Calm down, I was just joking."

We stand there staring at each other in the eyes until I giggle and ruin the silence. "Pfftt…"

"What's so funny?"

Sesshomaru's eyebrow raises at my mysterious laugh.

"It's nothing."

I shake my head in response, wondering if calling out to him for help has actually become one of my strange habits.

One day later (Wednesday)

Shiomi decides to go back home for today to continue with her study progress. Also to prepare for the up-coming tests on Friday and Saturday.

After school.

"Sogo-san!"

When I and my friends are on our way to the school gate, we hear call from behind. Then, we see Tatsuya rushes over to us with a smile on his face.

"Miyamoto-kun? Do you need something?"

I stop to wait for him to catch up.

"Hey isn't that Miyamoto Tatsuya? Since when do they know each other?"

Getting suspicious, Hana and Kasumi start whispering to each other behind our backs.

Avoiding my gaze for some reasons, Tatsuya scratches the back of his neck. "Well…Uhm if you guys don't mind...Would you like to go to the Wacdnalds with me? It's my treat."

Wacdnalds huh? I haven't been there for a while now, probably ever since starting to travel the world under magical well. Perhaps it won't be too bad to go out eating sometimes.

"Sounds good me. Hana-chan, Kasumi-chan do you want to-"

"Nope! We're good! You go on ahead with him. See you later!"

Not going to let me finish talking, they both refuse and run off together.

What's with them? Aren't they always love having someone to treat them food?

On the other hand, Tatsuya seems to be quite excited. "Shall we?"

While enjoying our snacks and having small chats, mostly about our interests, hobbies and school matters. Tatsuya asks me.

"Say, Sogo-san. Have you got someone that you like?"

My head tilts in thinking for a moment before answering.

"Someone that I like, huh? Not yet, why?"

Nope, not a single one person comes to mind.

After hearing so, Tatsuya beams brightly like the sun and he looks about to jump on his seat.

"R-really? That's great!"

Confused even more, I ask. "What's so great about that?"

I wonder why he cares so much about my relationship status?

"No! Of course not! Please, forget about what I asked."

Tatsuya waves his hands in denial and I continue drinking my soft drink. "Uh…Okay?"

Seeing him smiling shyly, I'm lost even deeper. Why is everyone acting so weird today?

And we sit there for a little bit more, then Tatsuya insists walking me home and not leaving after making sure that I've completely gotten inside my house main gate.

The next day.

After school.

"Sogo-san!"

Tatsuya calls for me again and just like before, Hana and Kasumi would disappear before anything can happen.

"I have two tickets to the Amusement park right here. Would you like to go there with me this Sunday?"

Once approach, he takes the tickets from his pocket and shows them to me.

"I know that you've been studying hard for the tests this week. That's why I bought these tickets, hoping that going there will help you release the stress."

Well he does have a point, I guess it won't hurt going somewhere to relax once in a while.

"Sure! When and Where shall we meet?"

Therefore I give him an OK and he claps his hands in much delight.

"Great! I will pick you up at your house around 8 A.M. How does it sound?"

"Sound good to me. Alright, I have to go home now, see you then."

Time then goes by quickly as I manage to pass through the troublesome tests for 2 days straight and finally be free...

Sunday.

Shiomi's outfit: Simple light-blue sleeveless shirt, white shorts, sport shoes, small blue purse with chain strap, white bowler hat with blue straw ties into ribbon.

Miyamoto's outfit: The same like before adding black coat

As agreed, Tatsuya picks me up at my house in the morning and his driver would take us to the amusement park by his family car.

Meanwhile, at Sesshomaru's gang.

"Aw I'm bored."

Rin doesn't stop pouting, rolling on the ground and playing with grass out of boredom. Sitting next to Sesshomaru under a large tree, Jaken yells to shut her up.

"Stop whining! Haven't you had enough playing yesterday?!"

But the girl ignores his nagging and continues sighing anyway. "Phooey...! I wonder what Onee-chan is doing…"

*Flash back*

Saturday afternoon.

At the Bone-Eaters well.

"Sorry Rin but... I can't come with you today nor tomorrow."

After getting out of the old well, I inform her about my up coming absence.

Much to Rin's distress. "Eh? How come!"

And Jaken's irritation. "What?! How dare you! Making me come all the way here for nothing!"

"Sorry, sorry. But it was so sudden and I couldn't help it."

I clap my hands and bow to them in apologize. Seeing Rin's face saddened, I pat her head and try to cheer her up. "Say, how about I get you a lot of sweet when coming back?"

"Okay!" As expected, her mood instantly brighten once hearing sweet.

Then I notice someone is missing within the group and turn to ask Jaken.

"By the way, Where's Sesshomaru-sama?"

"Cheh! Sesshomaru-sama has much more important matters to do than picking up a human like you!"

Jaken responds, doesn't spare me a glance.

Well that sounds just like him alright. Still, I cannot just go without saying anything.

"Can you report back to Sesshomaru-sama for me? That I need to go somewhere with a friend and cannot make it."

"Fine, whatever." He frowns, though it seems like I have received a yes (probably) from him.

"Onee-chan, Is that place fun?"

Curious, Rin tugs my skirt and ask about where I am going and what kind of stuff I am going to do.

"Kinda…? I'm not really sure?"

I avoid her gaze awkwardly. Trying to answer in a very generally way in order not to ruin her mood.

Getting impatient for wasting too much time over useless chit chat, Jaken nags us to hurry as he makes his way toward Ah-Un. "Come on Rin, let's go back already! It's getting dark!"

"Yes, I'm coming. See you later, onee-chan." Rin bids me goodbye and follows him onto the two-headed dragon's back to fly away.

Now that everything is settled, I jump back down to the well and go home.

*End flash back*

Recalling of what happened that day, Rin stares at the cloud floating up on the sky and sighs again "Onee-chan said that it was a fun place. Rin wanna go there too…"

Back to Shiomi and Tatsuya

At the Amusement Park

After finish the roller coaster, they decide to pay a trip to the haunted house.

"That will be 500 yen each person."

The ticket seller speaks and Tatsuya hands him a 1000 yen bills. Once receiving the tickets, he turns to me.

"Let's go inside."

And together we go through the brown creepy looking door.

Hmm, it sure is dark in here.

This place has plenty of couples inside. The girls are screaming, crying over jump scares and hugging their boyfriends like no tomorrow.

"Are you afraid of ghost, Sogo-san?"

Notice my silence, Tatsuya asks me.

"Well… not really."

Perhaps it's because I have already experienced something much worse back in the other world...

"I-I see..."

Somehow Tatsuya sounds a bit disappointed.

We continue our way through the house normally and suddenly, I catch a glimpse of something white, fluffy thing flying at the corner of my eyes. The sight of it is so ridiculously familiar that cause me to yelp out loud.

"What's wrong, Sogo-san?"

Surprised, Tatsuya flinches.

"I-It's nothing. I will be right back!"

Therefore I tell him to stay put and go check it myself.

"H-Huh? Wait!"

Tatsuya calls out but she has already disappeared into the darkness. Leaving him with no choice but to follows.

I swear that was his hair and white scarf! But what is he doing here? In such a civilized place?! Heart racing, I approach the small corner where I last saw the thing and take a peek inside.

"Boo!"

Instead of Sesshomaru, I'm greeted by one of the haunted house's casts. And of course he has to cover himself in white kimono and white wig, scarf to scare people off.

Much to the ghost's disappointment that the girl doesn't scream or run away, but sighing in relief.

Phew! It wasn't him. Now that I think about it, Sesshomaru's hair is silver not white...

When I turn around to find the way out. Tatsuya finally catches up to me.

"Sogo-san! Suddenly you screamed and ran away, I was so worried. Are you okay?"

Tatsuya crouches down, panting. It seems that he has been running nonstop to look for me.

"I'm okay...sorry."

Starting to feel bad for overthinking too much and leaving the guy behind. I quickly apologize.

"It's okay, Just hold my hand next time you're scared okay?"

Tatsuya doesn't blame me for my idiotic action and smiles it off.

Soon we exit the dark, creepy house and notice it's already noon. Therefore, Tatsuya offers me lunch.

"Do you want to grab something to eat?"

"Sure."

All of that running here and there sure have burn all of my energy and left me with an empty stomach.

We pick a fast food store nearby and take a seat at a small table for two. Tatsuya orders some fries and soft drinks while I pick a hamburger. While enjoying the food in hands and the scenery, my gaze unconsciously shift to the small garden, which is full of colorful flowers, trees and bushes.

My eyes widened by the sight of a familiar figure standing behind one of the trees quite far away. White kimono, armor at one's chest and swords at the hips. Silver silky long hair then there is that special feature huge fluffy scarf...

Sesshomaru?!

And what's worse, he seems to be staring right at where we are sitting, no, more like straight at me specifically. Shocked, I forget to chew and end up choking on my food.

"Hak…Cough…Cough!"

Quickly, Tatsuya hands me a cup of water to save me from dying.

"Here, drink this."

And I immediately gulp down the water, trying not to spit everything out of my mouth.

"You okay?"

He asks as I take out a tissue to wipe the water and food off my face. "Y-Yeah, I'm good..."

Once finally calm down, my eyes return to old spot but Sesshomaru is now nowhere to be found. Huh? He was just standing right there! Where did he go?!

Afternoon

Tatsuya picks the Ferris wheel to be our final stop and we're on the opposite seat, enjoying the beautiful sunset together.

"Were you having fun, Sogo-san?"

Tatsuya asks me.

"Yes, absolutely."

I smile in response.

"Really? I thought you was bored since you acted a little bit odd after getting of that haunted house. But I'm glad to know that I wasn't the only one who enjoy the fun today."

He scratches the back of his neck shyly. Happy to know that he hasn't messed the anything up.

"Ha ha…You probably thinking too much."

Hearing my answer, his face brighten up.

Then we continue enjoying the scenery.

"It's so pretty."

While enjoying by the beautiful view of this theme park. I hear Tatsuya call.

"Uhm…Sogo-san?"

"Yeah?"

I shift my head back in answer and there, standing in the middle of the air quite far away from the our cabin, is Sesshomaru.

Without thinking I rush over to the glass to have a better look. And much to the ache in my heart it's really him, whose long silver hair and the white fluffy fur ball floating gently within the wind. That was definitely such a breath-taking scene.

Sesshomaru's face remains calm as ever yet there is something different in his eyes that I cannot describe. And it is indeed our cabin which he's aiming at right now.

"Well you see, I…Wah!"

Tatsuya almost bites his tongue off when the girl in front of him suddenly slap herself by the cheek. Concerned, he asks her.

"W-what's wrong!?"

"I-I'm fine."

I ub my eyes to make sure that I'm not daydreaming and stare through the cabin's glass once again. However, the mysterious Sesshomaru has vanished like he's not even there in the first place.

What the hell just happened?! I drop back onto my seat, eyes still not leaving Sesshomaru's spot. Have I gone crazy?! No! It must be because of the stress! That must be it!

Tatsuya, who is completely stunned by my strange actions, remains quiet for the rest of the Ferris Wheel trip...

In the evening

Around 6.30 P.M

At the Sogo's mansion main gate

"Perhaps it's because of the flu. Get some rest more and don't wear yourself out. Okay?"

Tatsuya reminds me about my health issue when we get to my house's gate.

"Y-yeah, I will...Thank you for today, Miyamoto-kun."

I only nod awkwardly. Regret a lot for almost (or already did) ruining such a fun and relaxing day.

Seriously, just what's going on with me today. It feels as if my mind has been haunted by Sesshomaru or something. Do i afraid of him to the point of being traumatized?

"Tatsuya is fine. Anyway, have a good rest, Sogo-san. I will see you later."

Since it's starting to get late, Tatsuya bids me good bye.

"Take care, Tatsuya-kun."

I watch him get into his car and they drive away. Once the car is out of sight, I let out a sigh and walk back to my into house.

Yup, I definitely need some rest. Hopefully a deep sleep will work.

Back to Sesshomaru's gang

"Sesshomaru-sama, welcome back! Sesshomaru-sama, where have you been?"

Rin and Jaken rush to their lord's side as he lands onto the ground near the camp fire.

He replies with a single short answer "Nowhere" and takes a sit under a big tree, staring into distance again.

Figure that there is nothing they can do about it, Rin and Jaken return watching the shiny stars up above the night sky and enjoying gentle cool breeze. The day then ends peacefully like that for them.