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ABC Thought
CHAPTER 15
Some hours later.
It feels like forever since that moment for me to gain back my consciousness. Feeling numb all over and a little confused. I rub my eyes to see more clearly, and the very first thing to jump into my view is Rin's face.
"Onee-chan! How are you feeling?"
"Not so bad..."
Soon I find Sesshomaru and Jaken, Ah-Un are standing nearby and there is no sight of the Oni from earlier.
"After killing that Oni, you suddenly collapsed. We were so worried!"
Therefore Rin explains what has happened.
"Me? Killing Oni by myself?! Are you sure, Rin?"
Cannot believe what I just have heard, I ask her again and she nods. Then Jaken jumps into our conversation with a very unnecessary yell.
"What?! You mean you don't remember?!"
Seriously, If I did I wouldn't have asked, "Y-yeah, kind of."
While Sesshomaru, who has been informed by Jaken about the whole situation, watching us in silent.
As Jaken doesn't want to waste his breath on telling the tale. It's become Rin's job to do so.
"When I was about to be eaten, you saved me with your Naginata! You were really strong and fast, even flying too! I never knew you could do that, onee-chan!"
She excitedly described how awesome my other self was.
"Yeah, I didn't know I could do that too."
I frown, trying hard to recall what has really happened back then. However what I get is the memory before being hit by the giant and not the one after that.
Now that I think about it. That fox…
*Flash back*
Minutes before her consciousness fade
Rin...! If I don't do something now, it will be all too late.
My consciousness had been screaming for me to move my limbs but nothing worked, and my vision just kept fading away. Just as I was about to give up, some white fluffy ball appeared in front of my eyes.
"Do you truly wish to save her?"
Much to my surprise, that fox spoke in human language and what's more, it was communicating with me through telepathy. And its voice sounded exactly like the one that I first heard back at Higurashi shrine.
"Of course I do!"
But none of those mattered, because right now Rin's and Jaken's lives were much more important.
"Then you will have to cooperate with me...Can you do that?"
Suddenly it offered me some kind of a work-together tactic.
"Please tell me how, I will do anything!"
Without hesitation, I accepted. Doesn't care what mysterious/shady situation I was going to get myself into as long as I can save my companions.
"Yes, All you have to do is…To open your heart to me."
Only waiting to gain my permission, the white fox approaches closer to my face.
"What? Open my heart?! What are you talking about?!"
Needless to say I was dumbfounded at its strange request and instead of answering my question, the fox ran into me and magically disappeared. In instant, my eyelids felt heavy and I driff off into a deep slumber.
*End flash back*
If she said that I got super power out of nowhere and killed that giant Oni. Perhaps it was the fox doing? What exactly is that fox and what did it do to me?
Getting myself lost deep within the mystery as questions keep rising up one after another without a solution, I decide to let it slide for now. Guess I will just have to squeeze some answers out of that sneaky little thing once we meet again.
Letting out a sigh, I try to get up from my spot to find some water since my throat feels like it's burning. And after taking one step forward, my legs lose all its strength and I stumble.
Just as I'm about to land onto the tough ground with my face. Sesshomaru reaches out his hand to catch me. Somehow the moment we touch, my hearts give out such a strong, confusing beat "Thump" that leaves me completely frozen in his arm for a moment.
"T-thank you Sesshomaru-sama."
After a couple of seconds, I finally snap back into my senses and awkwardly let him go. Weird, what was what all about? Some kind of side effect from that incident?
Now that be able to face Sesshomaru directly after so many days, I notice that he seems to be pretty chill and not acting disgusted after getting touched like I've expected him to be.
Was it just me who being extravagating things all along?
Still, I haven't had a chance to thanks him for stopping me back then. Because if he had not cared, I would have also kissed Jaken. Kissing Jaken... huh?
My face turns pale after imagining that *intimate* scene. It's so weird and gross that almost making myself vomit.
"Are you okay?"
Seeing my unwell expression, Rin approaches and I nod awkwardly, trying to get rid of those nasty thoughts out of my head as fast as possible.
"Y-Yeah, I'm alright. Don't worry too much."
Then she holds up my backpack and shows me the berries we've gotten from earlier.
"I've been saving these until you wake up. Let's share!"
Can't help but smiling at how cute she is, I accept the backpack and pat her head in appreciation. "Sure, thanks Rin."
Once settled, Sesshomaru orders us to move. "Let's go."
We oblige and quickly follow him. For some reasons, Jaken walks really far from behind and seems to be deep in thought.
Hmm…Sesshomaru-sama seems to be in a good mood these days... I wonder what has happened to him.
Later on the same day
When the sun has almost set
"Drip…drop"
The rain gets heavier by seconds and only a minute passes, it has already covered all over the place.
Without a choice, we have to halt our journey to find a place to stay for the night. Just then I catch a glimpse of an old, wooden house far away at the corner of my eyes and point at it to alert them.
"There's a house over there!"
Not wasting any time, Jaken leads riding Ah-Un toward to that destination while Sesshomaru's flying right beside us. As soon as we land at the front door of the house, the rain has gotten so big to the point that we can see nothing but white mists. While our clothes are now all half wet and it feels really uncomfortable.
"Brr…How cold." I hug myself and make my way to the wooden double doors to open it. "Alright, let's get inside."
After pushing the doors open a little. "Whoosh!"
An arrow appears out of the small space between the wooden doors, misses my head just by an inch and flies straight at Sesshomaru, who is standing just behind. And he catches that arrow easily in between his fingers, snaps it in half.
Feeling a sharp pain and something warm running down to my right cheek, where the arrow has gone by earlier, I touch it to check and find lots of blood on my hand.
Damn it, that cursed thing must have left a pretty deep cut on my face.
Horrified by the sight of blood, Rin rushes over in concern.
"Onee-chan, you're hurt!"
"Don't worry. It will heal soon."
I assure her and search for handkerchief inside my backpack to wipe off the blood. While Sesshomaru walks pass us and kicks the doors wide open. Breaking them into pieces in progress and startling everyone, both inside and outside the house.
Watching him stepping on what's left of the wooden doors mercilessly, I can only sigh. Thinking how much of cold wind we are going to suffer through the night.
And looking inside the old house, we see a bunch of armored bandits, probably around twenty of them, carrying bows and swords. They are standing scattered around the small room and aren't too happy to see our arrival.
"Which bastard dare to disturb our resting?! Prepare to die!"
One man shouts furiously and points his sword at us.
"Come on, let's go."
It's not hard to guess that this is not going to end well, I push Rin to find a safe place. And she obliges, picking the wall at the side of the house to be her hiding spot.
"You all shall be the one who meets your death for showing disrespects to Sesshomaru-sama!"
Jaken snickers at how idiotic these man are to stand against his lord.
Yet they ignore his tiny warning and point at me instead.
"Oi, that girl over there looks nice. Say, why don't we take her to warm up the night and kill the rest?"
Then they all laugh and cheer at the brilliant idea. Their piercing gaze remind me so much of hungry predators that send a chill down my spine.
What a bunch of perverts!
Irritated, Sesshomaru cracks his fingers and swiftly steps inside to deal with them. While waiting outside, we can hear sounds of slashed bodies along with men terrifying screams, and some of half spoken pleads.
Once everything has calmed down, Jaken and I get in together and see blood's shred all over the place, almost dyeing whole the room in red. On the floor there are various human body parts and guts, and in different sizes too.
"Hah! Serve you right! This house is ours now!"
Having fun, Jaken approaches one of the heads on the floor and kicks it rolling away.
Yes, but how are we suppose to sleep here now? Is there even a clean spot left to sit?
When I and Jaken are still busy searching for the cleanest area to settle, Sesshomaru suddenly approaches me from behind and almost gives me a heart attack.
"What the heck?! Will you stop appearing behind my back?!"
I yell for him to quit doing that. As I've been terrified enough after seeing all the gory things from his mess. Ignoring my outburst however, Sesshomaru's hand reaches to my face and caresses the wound on my cheek.
Such sudden contact makes me flinch.
"I-I'm alright really!"
That concerned look in his eyes, it turns me frozen by the spot. Despite already know that the injury isn't serious, he doesn't let go and I'm just stuck standing there.
This is the first time I witness Sesshomaru taking the initiative to show his gentle side to me. It's so strange. And just to make things worse, right now my heart is beating so fast that it's about to jump out of my chest. While my face's getting hotter by seconds. Just what the hell is happening?!
"Onee-chan, Sesshomaru-sama!"
In instant Rin's at the door call snaps me back into reality and I walk away from him. Still, his gaze, as much as this unexplained and tangled feeling inside my chest, are refusing to leave my side.
"Wow, so many corpses."
Once getting inside, Rin doesn't show any sight of afraid by the messy scene in front of her. Much to my surprise.
"By the way, onee-chan. It's so cold, can we start a fire here?"
She suggests warming the place up but sadly, there is not a fireplace in sight.
"We'll be leaving here once the rain stops. So quit yer whining and deal with it!"
Hearing us planing for our stay, Jaken yells to protest. Though I have to beg for differ as the pouring rain outside is showing no sight of stopping in any time soon.
Guess we really have to spend out night here with a bunch of these. Stepping on separated arm by accident, my teeth cringe.
"Right, let's us find a good spot to clean it up. And you're coming with me."
Then I start dragging Jaken along. Much to his irritation.
"H-hey! What do you think you are doing?! Let me go this instant!"
In the end we pick the upper right corner of the house to be our resting spot. Having Ah-Un lie against the wall as I, Rin and Jaken use its body as our pillows. Finally sitting at the right side of us is Sesshomaru, whose seat is the furthest away from me.
Just as I've expected, it gets much colder when night comes. Even Ah-Un body heat is only able to warm itself.
While hugging myself to survive through the cold, I find Rin shivering badly next to me and Jaken is also suffering the same state. Meanwhile Sesshomaru's acting completely fine never stops staring at the rainy night outside of the door-less gate.
…How nice to be such a strong youkai.
I sigh in jealousy and search for the coat inside my backpack. Once finding it, I pull Jaken closer to my side. It happens so suddenly that he snaps his eyes open in alert.
"What are you-!"
Jaken's yelling stop once something cozy and warm covers his and Rin's bodies.
"What? It's my winter coat. Nice, isn't it?"
Therefore I explain, watching them hug it closely and feel the warmness. However noticing that there's nothing on me but the half-dried thin clothes from earlier, Rin decides to returns the coat, much to Jaken's silent protest.
"But what about you, onee-chan?"
"It's okay I will survive. Beside I've always been wondered if this kind of weather can kill me/"
Still, Rin isn't amused by my lame joke and pouts. "Onee-chan, don't say that."
The time soon turns midnight as Rin and Jaken falls into deep slumber. Leaning their heads against each other while I curl into a ball on the floor, trying to get a bit of sleep.
Next morning.
"Uhmm…"
Feeling the bright sunlight shines directly to my face, I slightly stir. It's so warm and comfy that I don't want to get up. Trying to get away from the light, I hug the only source of warmness closer in order to fall back into sleep.
Wait, hugging...?…comfy?
Getting a bad feeling , my hand searches around and touches something quite furry and soft warping around my waist. A fur blanket? Did someone give it to me last night?
No... It can be much worse...
My eyes snap wide open by the frightening thought and just as I've expected, it is indeed Sesshomaru's Mokomoko covering my waist and hugging Sesshomaru's right arm is no one else but myself.
"S-Sesshomaru...?"
My heart stops beating the moment our eyes meet. Now I realize that my spot is no longer next to Rin and Jaken are, which is suppose to be at least a meter away from him.
Just what the hell has happened?!
*Flash back*
"So…cold…"
Shiomi mumbled and stirred in her sleep. Cannot withstand the cold anymore, she opened her eyes to search for something warm. Once spotting something in white furry not too far away, she crawled toward to hug it. While assuming that it must be warm.
When she reached to the big fur ball, Shiomi automatically warped herself into it and hugs something (or someone) nearby as a pillow to lean on.
"It feels so nice…"
Having settled, she sighed happily and fell into sleep. Completely ignore the low, irritated groan coming from above.
*End flash back*
In instant I let go of him and back away, fearing for my life.
"I-I'm sorry! I-I wasn't planning anything strange! I swear!"
While trying to explain for not having any intention to molest the guy. His sharp amber eyes keep staring at me and I panic even more.
The heck?! Am I seriously that untrustworthy?!
Sesshomaru should have known me long enough to know I am not that type of person. Beside, why would I even bother to try getting close to him when he comments that my body is boring.
Just then Rin and Jaken wakes up. Taking the chance that Sesshomaru's attention has shifted to them, I escape from the MokoMoko's trap and run to Rin's side.
"Good morning!"
I greet her brightly and she nods in response, still being half asleep. Then I fold my coat to ready to get out of this hellhole.
"Alright let's go wash our faces and find something to ea-Ah choo!"
Suddenly I sneeze out loud and startle Rin, fully waking her up. "Wah!"
About an hour later.
Just like any other day, Sesshomaru has gone off to somewhere and leaving us behind.
"Ahchoo!"
Damn, that was a big one. For a moment I thought my brain would explode.
Wiping my noses with ton of tissues, I sigh. Getting worried that they're going to run out very soon. And I surely do not want to go all the way back home just to refill tissue and some cold medicines.
Seeing my messy face, Rin asks me. "You have been sneezing a lot today. Are you sick?"
"Yeah, I think I'm having a fever now." After touching my forehead to check, it feels kind of warm.
"Was it because of last night? I'm sorry it's because of me…"
Her expression saddened by the thought and I pat her head, ensuring her that I'm all good and well until sneezing again.
"Hmph! I guess there's no other way around."
Suddenly Jaken approaches me from behind and takes out a bottle inside his sleeves. "Here!"
Curious what's inside, I accept the bottle from him and open it. Only to be greeted by a horrible smell flying straight into my noses. It's so bad that my brain and eyes are about to explode.
"This is my special potion. It can cure mostly any sickness! Be grateful that I'm giving it to you, it's very rare!"
Therefore Jaken explains his medicine's miraculous effect to me. As I take a peek into the bottle and see that it contains some kind of weird dark green liquid.
"Thanks but... No thanks."
Without hesitation, I return the bottle to its rightful owner.
"What?! How dare you refuse my kindness!"
"Nah. I rather go back to my place and take a nice rest."
Ignoring Jaken's outburst, I shrug then get on Ah-Un. Rather going home than drinking that thing and suffer.
"Onee-chan, get well soon."
Rin bids me goodbye as I fly away with the two-headed dragon up to the sky above.
On my way through the forest, I notice a whirlwind traveling on the ground in a very fast speed. Curious about this strange phenomenon, I lead Ah-Un to follow it to see what it's about.
Once getting out of the woods, it flies straight toward to a group of four people on the road just right ahead. And surprisingly, they are no strangers.
It's Kagome and Inuyasha!
I recognize them instantly through their distinct costumes, especially the bicycle. Assuming that whirlwind going to crash into them, I try to call to alert them.
However the whirlwind disappears and reveals to be a man before the group. Without a hesitation, he slams into Inuyasha and pushes him onto the ground just to mess with him.
"Wait, isn't that Kouga?"
Turns out it's the wolf guy who has saved me and Rin from before.
"My dear Kagome, Have you been well? I'm sorry that I haven't been able to visit you much."
Suddenly Kouga grabs Kagome's hand as if they're very close and she smiles awkwardly.
Annoyed for being pinned on the floor, Inuyasha growls. "Get off'a me, asshole!"
"Heh, You're still alive? Dog-turd." Only then Kouga jumps aside, smirking.
Can no longer stand Kouga's arrogant attitude. Inuyasha stands up and draws out his sword.
"That's it! I'm going to slaughter you, bastard!"
Though before he can do it, Kagome has stopped him with another Osurwari. Much to Kouga's enlightenment.
"Is there anything you need, Kouga-kun?"
She then turns to Kouga, asking why he is here and he shrugs. Pointing his thumb toward to the sky, where I and Ah-Un are standing.
"Oh nothing much, I just feel like dropping by to check on you. By the way, is that your friend over there?"
Needless to say she's surprised to see me here.
"You guys know each other?"
Getting curious, I ask her about their relationship and she nods. However before Kagome can explain further, Kouga puts his arm around her shoulder and claims that she is his woman. One hundred percent confident.
"Huh? Is that true, Kagome?"
Not believing what I just have heard, I turn to Kagome to confirm. Since I would never expect her to get a boyfriend in this crazy place instead of normal guys back in our modern world.
"No! we-"
Kagome resist strongly and waves her hands around. Then all of sudden, Inuyasha yells from behind and pieces through our ears.
"Who are you calling your woman, you wimpy wolf?!"
"And I thought it was only your noses that's rotten. It seems like your ears are also decaying eh?"
"You bastard, you don't know when to stop. Wanna die?!"
"Come and get it, bastard."
"And here we go again."
Shippou sighs in boredom, watching the so-nothing-new scene while Sango and Miroku whispering to each other.
"Again? What does he mean?"
This time I get even more lost and she just shakes her head in defeat. "It's... a long story…"
Somehow seeing two boys fighting over a girl reminds me of this one melodrama that I used to watch with my sister back when we're still in junior high.
"Hmm...Look somewhat like a love triangle."
I slip out what is inside my mind subconsciously and suddenly she flinches, as if those words actually hit the bull eyes.
"So, who is it?"
"Well it's…"
Not that hard to guess judging by who her eyes are looking at. And that lucky guy is no one else but our friendly neighborhood Inu youkai. Also not a surprise considering how long they'been traveling together.
Still, would relationships between youkai and human work out in the end?
"Ahchoo!"
My thoughts get cut off by a sudden urge to sneeze.
"Senpai are you sick?"
Hearing Kagome asks me and I nod. "Yeah I caught a cold."
"I think I still have some medicine for that."
Then she opens her backpack to search for them and I stop her. As I have already made my mind to go home to take a rest. Agreeing that would be the best option for me, Kagome urges.
"Then you should go now, Senpai. It's not good leaving it for too long."
"Yeah, I will. See you later, Kagome-chan."
I get back on Ah-Un to take my leave. On the other hand, Inuyasha and Kouga are too busy fighting to care for anything else. Jeeze these guys are still at it?
Although somewhat understand Kagome's hardship. It's better not to get myself involved too deep. Therefore the only thing I can do is to support her choice and hope for the best.
The Sogo's mansion.
Stepping into the living room, I find my mom and sister are sitting on the sofa. Enjoying their usual tea time.
"Honey, you're back."
Upon seeing me, my mom approaches. Just then I sneeze out loud and she instantly figures out that I catch a cold.
"Yeah, that's reason come back. I need a good long rest."
I say, wiping the tears and nasty mucus off my face.
"Oh? You got sick? That's a first."
On the other hand, Megumi finds this rare event quite amusing and I groan, not having any more energy left to start another clueless conversation with her.
"I'm still human you know."
"Go get some rest, dear. I will go cook some porridge for you right away."
Mom pats me on the shoulder and I oblige, hurry to the staircases up to my room. There is nothing I want to do more right now is to take a warm bath and get some sleep on a comfy bed.
Suddenly a piece of memory hits me on the head.
"Mom, why did you give me wine chocolate? You know I'm not good with alcohol right?"
Hearing my question, she gasps in realization and Megumi answers in her stead.
"It's because she mixed up our chocolates, what else."
"What?!"
"Apparently, the chocolate you ate was suppose to be mine and what I ate was suppose to be yours."
My sister sticks out her tongue recalling the boring taste of non alcohol chocolate and my jaw drops, cannot believe what I just have heard and my mom nods to confirm.
"Yes you see, the boxes were all in white so I messed them up. Did anything happen after you eat them?"
"N-No, nothing at all. It's all good!"
I flutter as my face subconsciously turns red once being reminded of that moment. To think that Sesshomaru didn't finish me off and abandoned my corpse, whether in one piece or not, right at the spot had already showed how much lucky I was back then.
"Huh? Are you blushing, little sister? Something did happen, didn't it"
For my sister, that only expression is enough to make her suspicious.
"I-I'm not blushing! My face is red because I'm having a fever. That's all!"
And for some unknown reasons, those words of hers make my heart skips a beat.
At Shiomi's room
Around noon
Once done changing into my pjama, I flop down onto the comfy bed.
"As always, Home is always the best…"
Staring at the white ceiling above, feeling that eyelids are getting heavier and heavier yet cannot even get myself to take a nap. I hate that whenever getting sick, my mind can never be at ease when there are so many random thought keep appearing to mess around and never go away.
Like, when will I get better? Why is it so hot yet so cold at the same time? Will ghosts get me if I turn to my side? What should I do tomorrow? Or How are the others are doing right now and...
Does Sesshomaru know that I'm sick...?
His image pops up out of nowhere and I jolt up from my bed.
Wait, what?! Why does it matter whether he care or not?! This isn't right!
After eating the food my mom made and taking some medicine. Not wasting any more precious time, I get back into bed and turn off the light to sleep.
At night
"Creak…"
The window is gently pushed open and appears a tall figure glides into the middle of Shiomi's room. Then he finds her lying on the bed against the wall, heavy breathing and coughing from time to time.
He sits by her bed side as the moonlight shines through the windows and reaches to his long silky hair, lightening up within the darkness while he watches her sleeping.
The moment Sesshomaru gently wipes the cold sweat off her forehead, she starts to stir.
"Uhm..Mom…?"
Shiomi mumbles and leans her face closer into his cold palm. "Why is your hand so rough?"
Despite the person she has just called for was not him and yet, her intimate action once again caught Sesshomaru off guard. And he continues feeling her hot breath brushing against his skin for a long moment before finally snap some senses back and quickly withdraws his hand.
However Shiomi grabs his wrist and yanks it back closer to her face, much to Sesshomaru's surprise.
"…Don't go…"
She pleads in her sleep and releases him soon after.
Why can he not refuse her? Since when have her words dealing such a big impact to him?
Sesshomaru remains by Shiomi's bed and continues holding her hand, watching the night sky from afar and feeling the night's cool breeze drifting through the big window. While confusing himself endlessly with his thoughts and actions being completely opposite to each other.
To think that he has long buried those unexplained, moral feelings deep inside his heart and yet. These irritating emotions keeps returning and even takes one step up ahead. Whether he wants it or not.
"I won't."
The next morning.
I'm awaken by multiple ray of sunlights shining at my face and when trying to sit up, my leg touch something on the bed that is not a pillow.
"Fruits?"
Looking down, I find various of sweet, wild berries and such have gathered right next to me. And in the middle of them all lying an old styled looking bottle.
"Weird. Where are these coming from?"
Curious, I pick that bottle up to have a closer look and notice its familiar shape. Slowly, I open up the lid and that same horrible smell comes out in instant and rushes into my noses.
"Yuck!"
Trying to figure out who has brought these things to me. I look around the room to find any hint and soon, my eyes lock onto a certain Inu Youkai standing next to my window.
"Sesshomaru? When did you get here?"
For a moment I legitimately thought that my vision is playing a trick on me. It's not until I pinch myself in the cheek and finally realize that none of this is a dream.
"Did you bring this?"
I hold up the bottle for him to see. However Sesshomaru doesn't answer and keeps staring at me. Actually it's the bottle in my hand that he's staring at and I immediately figure out what he's trying to imply.
"So... you want me to drink it up, huh?"
Imagine having to have a taste of this nasty thing, I try to hold back the urge to puke and bargain.
"How about I leave it for later?"
Just right after my sentence ends, his stare intensified into a glare and I instantly regret what I just said.
"Alright, alright I'm drinking it now, no need to get mad."
Having no way to back down, I gain up all courage and shut my eyes. Hoping to be able to finish it all in one gulp.
"Here goes nothing!"
There is absolutely no word can describe how bad this thing taste and how much I am suffering right now. My eyes and noses feel like they are about to pop in any second. To prevent myself from vomiting, I grab the sweetest looking fruit nearby to take a huge bite onto it.
Damn, I thought I was going to die for real. This is definitely the worst medicine I've ever taken in my whole life.
Now that Shiomi has taken the cure, Sesshomaru turns to the window and attempts to leave. Everything is suppose about to go back to the way it is until...
"You're leaving?"
Out of the blue, I speak up and Sesshomaru halts. While he's turning his head back to look at me, my jaw drops. Cannot believe what just has happened. What the heck brain?! Why did I say that?!
"I mean... Have a safe trip?"
Immediately I bid him goodbye to avoid the awkwardness. Acting as normal as possible and he nods back in response. It's not until a moment after he's gone that I realize there's something different in him.
Huh? Did Sesshomaru just nod to me? That's new...