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ABC Thought

Chapter 31

Back to the Odomatsumi mountain

"Incredible!"

Hakuseki gasps in awe, witnessing the giant Golem crumbles into a huge pile of rock before Sesshomaru.

This is definitely not something that he would imagine to witness in his lifetime. No one has ever been able to stay alive more than an hour after setting foot into this sacred mountain. And yet here they are, standing on their two feet facing against Odomatsumi, the mighty guardian himself.

"Where is it?"

Sesshomaru's voice cut his train of thoughts.

"Y-Yes, the herb should be somewhere close by. Please follow me!"

Watching Hakuseki rushes to where the plants are residing. Sesshomaru quietly sheathes his sword and walks off from Odomatsumi's corpse.

After taking no more than two steps, he senses movement behind him. Before Sesshomaru able to turn around to check, his right shoulder's stabbed by a sharp spear forming from that pile of rocks just now.

"No one shall touch my treasure!"

Coming from those rocks they hear Odomatsumi curses, as it pushes its spear further into his wound while regenerating into whole again from the ground. "No one!"

Sesshomaru frowns in pain and tries to cut off its hand. From afar, Hakuseki has noticed something is wrong and attempted to return to the lord's side to aid him.

"Sesshomaru-sama!"

"Get the herbs!"

Sesshomaru orders for him to continue with his job and Hakuseki nods, charging ahead with full speed with a basket in his hand. After successfully removing the weapon out of his shoulder, Sesshomaru smirks. Ticking off Odomatsumi even more.

"What's so funny?!"

"It's been a while for I, Sesshomaru to meet a worthwhile opponent."

Sesshomaru eyes turn red as blood and transforms into a giant white dog that is as huge as the forest's guardian. When his wound to healed completely, Sesshomaru charges forward to confront Odomatsumi for another round.

Some time later….

Kaede's hut

"Hakuseki! Sesshomaru! You're back!"

Upon seeing their return, Nanase, along with Rin and Jaken, rushes to their side to greet them.

"Let's us hurry and make the antidote for her."

Hakuseki shows them the basket full of precious herbs as they walk inside. Then Rin notices the sight of blood on her lord's clothes and gasps.

"Sesshomaru-sama! You're hurt!"

While Jaken doesn't seem to mind. His eyes are too busy sparkling in admiration for his brave lord.

To be able to get these herbs, Sesshomaru-sama must have defeated Odomatsumi! As expected from our Sesshomaru-sama! He's so cool!

"Woah Sesshomaru, you look beat up. What the hell did you two kill out there?"

Witnessing his half-brother messy state that he isn't the one to cause, Inuyasha comments nonchalantly. Ignoring his insult, Sesshomaru approaches Shiomi's bedside to ask Kagome.

"How is she?"

"It's just getting nowhere because the poison is keeping her body from regenerating."

Therefore Kagome sighs, putting a cool towel onto the girl's forehead to ease the fever. Fortunately the wound on her chest isn't fatal enough, but Kagome can't be certain whether Shiomi will have a chance to wake up.

"Don't worry, these herbs should be able to fix it. I will be needing your help too, Miko."

Hakuseki states confidently and Kagome follows him to the table nearby, watching the man lay out a bunch of bowls with different type of ingredients and they immediately get into work.

"Alright. Now all you have to do is…"

Sitting at Shiomi's bedside, an exhausted Sesshomaru sighs and caresses her cheek gently. His touch's so light as if afraid that she will break into pieces.

"Sesshomaru-sama, perhaps you should get some rest too while waiting."

Concerned about their lord's health, both Rin and Jaken approaches him to suggest.

"Not necessary."

However Sesshomaru refuses, even though his body is covered with in blood and scratches. Figures that they can't change his mind, the two sighs in defeat.

"Come on, we should leave some space here for them."

Miroku speaks up. Pushing Rin and Jaken toward to the door.

"Yeah, let's go Inuyasha."

Sango agrees and drags Inuyasha along the way. Glancing at Sesshomaru and Shiomi for one last time before leaving, Inuyasha scratches the back of his head before heading outside with Shippou on his shoulder.

This is the first time I've seen that bastard cares so much for something else beside his power, a human, no less. Jeeze, it feels so weird no matter how much you look at it….

Days later.

Feeling my throat is burning, I open my eyes to look for a bottle of water. Yet everything is a blur. As I try to rub my eyes for a clearer view, my hand is grabbed by someone and cause me to flinch in surprise.

"Sesshomaru?"

Recognizing the familiar touch, I sigh in relief.

"Wait…Where am I?"

Right now we are staying inside a small hut. As I am lying on a small wooden bed, having Sesshomaru siting right beside me.

And before Sesshomaru can answer my question, Kagome jumps in between us.

"Senpai, you are awake! I'm so glad!"

Following right after her is Rin.

"Onee-chan! How are you feeling?!"

"Kagome-chan? Why you here? What happened?"

Confused by their presences, especially Kagome, I ask and suddenly hear Jaken's voice coming from below the bed.

"Hmph! You were poisoned by Nanase's knife 2 days ago! That's why Sesshomaru-sama took you here so the miko could take care of you while searching for the cure himself!"

The sight of Nintoujou waving furiously before my face is enough to prove that he is here, alive and well.

2 days? I have been unconscious for 2 days?! That long?!

"Was it difficult to obtain the cure? Why did you receive so much injuries?"

Notice multiples cut and dried blood stains on Sesshomaru's Kimono, I turn to ask him.

"What do you think, stupid girl?! You're absolutely had no idea how much Sesshomaru-sama had gone through! He-"

Angered by my ignorance, Jaken yells. Attemps to jumps onto the bed but gets interrupted by Sesshomaru's killing glare.

"Hakuseki onii-sama said that Sesshomaru-sama was injured badly after the battle for the cure. On top of that, he even refused to rest when getting back and waited by your bedside for two days straight."

Rin blurts out everything anyway, much to the lord's irritation.

Amazed by all the things he had went through just to save me, I smile to Sesshomaru and hold his hand closer to mine.

"Thank you, Sesshomaru."

For some reasons Sesshomaru doesn't reply to anyone and remains frozen at his seat. Causing everyone's eyes to fix to him in curiosity.

Oh? Could it be that he's shy...?

Feeling uncomfortable after staying in one place for too long, I try to sit up yet there is no energy to do so. Therefore Kagome tells me to take it easy since I've just woke up.

"The wound is closed but you're still weak. I think it's best for you right now is to return home and take some rest for some days, Senpai."

"Maybe I will when I'm able to walk again. Eh?!"

I gasp in surprise once being lifted up into Sesshomaru's arms. Without any word, he swiftly carries me outside the hut toward to the well's direction. This works too I guess.

Standing by the door, Rin and Kagome bid me goodbye.

"Take care, Rest well!"

Afterwards, Sesshomaru would visit me daily just to bring medicine and checks my condition. Despite having told plenty of times that it's not necessary, the guy is just too stubborn to listen.

In one fine morning.

Shiomi's room.

Sesshomaru appears once again by my windows with a bottle contains thick dark red liquid in his hand and my face's darken in instant.

Oh god. Here come the nightmare!

"Do I really have to drink this thing every single day? I'm totally okay now, Sesshomaru."

I try to reason with him as he approaches to my bed. Ignores everything coming out of my lips however, Sesshomaru holds the medicine bottle up to my face until I accept it. Not forgetting to threaten me to drink it all with his intense glare, like always.

Defeated, I open the bottle cap. Only to almost fainted by the odor scent. Seriously, I would rather stay unconscious in bed for days rather than constantly suffering from this madness.

"I'm sorry. I know that you're incredibly busy finding Naraku and yet…"

Staring at the bottle in my hand, I bring up Naraku to bait Sesshomaru. In hope that he will realize there is something more important out there than bringing medicine to me.

Please! I don't want to drink any more of this!

While I'm screaming inside, Sesshomaru takes a seat right beside me and suddenly caresses my cheek.

"It doesn't matter as long as I know you're here, safe and sound."

His gentle golden eyes stares straight into mine and causes me to blush. Completely lost for words and slowly, Sesshomaru leans forward. Narrowing the space between us and only seconds later, our faces are a few inches apart.

What is happening?! What is going on?!

My mind start going haywire once our lips are about to touch.

"Shiomi! Your friends are here!"

The loud knocks on my door along with my sister's voice instantly breaks the moment and I shove Sesshomaru aside, my heart's still racing so fast that as if it's going to jump out of my chest

"Wait, what?! They didn't even give me a call!"

No time to rest, I try to push Sesshomaru to the windows. Asking him to go home in order to get dressed.

"Hurry! You have to leave before my friends can see you!"

However much to my horror, Hana and Kasumi has been standing at my door from the beginning and barge in.

"Too late, Shiomi-chan! We're going in! Surprise!"

And I freeze on my spot, unsure how to react properly as Hana and Kasumi steps inside.

"Shiomi-chan! We're going to the pool today! Do you want to come with us?"

Since there's only an inch away from the escape route, I make a hand signal to Sesshomaru who is just right behind me. Telling him to get out when they still haven't noticed his presence, yet Sessomaru refuses to move and just stands there watching.

Seriously, out of whenever. He just has to pick this exact moment to be stubborn!

"Wait a minute, who is that over there?"

And what is coming has to come, Kasumi points at Sesshomaru standing by the window. Following Kasumi's finger direction, Hana notices him as well and stares nonstop. For some reasons her eyes are sparkling. Oh my god! A Bishounen!

"This guy is…. uh... My cousin from oversea."

"Cousin?"

Curious, both Kasumi and Hana approach to study him from head to toes.

So that explains the odd eyes color. And what's with that outfit? Are those swords real?

"Hey, Shiomi-chan! I didn't know your cousin was this handsome! No fair! Why did you hide him from us?!"

Suddenly Hana pulls me closer and whispers into my ear.

"Yeah, how come I have never heard anything about him from you?"

Kasumi leans closer as well and questions me.

"Well uhm…you see, he had only been here for a month so I couldn't inform you in time...?"

I lower my head to avert her suspicious gaze. Trying to make up a proper excuse.

"Oh yeah?"

As expected from Kasumi, she doesn't take the bait so easily. While Hana totally buys it.

"That's understandable, I guess."

To lead these two away from the dangerous topic, I ask them to wait for me at the living room and Kasumi informs me about Tatsuya's arrival.

"Talk about living room, Tatsuya-kun is there waiting for you."

"What?! Tatsuya-kun's here too?!"

The moment that name escapes my lips, the room's atmosphere becomes heavier. Taking a quick glance at Sesshomaru from behind, I can see that he's giving off an enormous killing aura.

"Yeah, we meet him when we're on the way to your house. Anyway hurry up, we'll be waiting!"

Not realizing the changes around her, Hana casually walks outside with Kasumi.

"Alright, Sesshomaru. Promise me that you will not kill anyone in this world, no matter how much they annoy you! Okay?!"

Waiting for them to completely gone, I turn back to Sesshomaru and grab his front kimono. Reminding him not to do anything reckless when all of my friends are here.

"Please! This is a serious matter!"

Seeing him having no desire to cooporate, I plead.

After a couple of seconds, Sesshomaru finally gives in and I sigh in relief.

At the living room

"Sogo-san! Good morning!"

As enthusiastic as ever, Tatsuya stands up from his seat on the sofa when seeing me. Then he looks down at his feet, embarrassed.

"Uhm…I'm sorry for coming here uninformed."

"Jeeze, will you stop apologizing. I have already said it's okay, haven't I?"

Getting tired of his over the top manner, Kasumi waves her hand at him.

"Kasumi's right, so don't worry about it."

I smile to him and Tatsuya nods, sighing in relief. Upon noticing another person standing beside me, he greets.

"Good morning to you too. Setsuna-san."

And Sesshomaru ignores him, completely. Not only Sesshomaru attitude but also his expression is bad. Irritated, disgusted, or even hatred, pretty much everything is written all over his face.

Getting suspicious, Kasumi frowns in deep thoughts. While Hana finds this reunion quite interesting.

"Tatsuya-kun, you know her cousin?"

"Yeah, we've met once before."

To prevent any regrettable accident, I lead Sesshomaru to the furthest sofa away from everyone else. Once Sesshomaru's settled at his seat, Kasumi walks up to me and pokes at my arm.

"Hey, Shiomi-chan. There's an important news that I need to tell you, can we go somewhere else?"

In instant I hesitate, not wanting to leave him alone with Tatsuya. But Kasumi drags me away anyway.

"It's only for a bit, nobody will die if we leave them here alone."

At the garden.

"What's so important that you have to drag me out here in order to talk?"

Once we're here, Kasumi finally releases my arm and I huff.

"Spill it out already. That Setsuna guy isn't your cousin, is he?"

Hearing Kasumi's powerful statement.

"What?! Is that true? Shiomi-chan?!"

And Hana gasps in shock. Obviously feels betrayed.

"W-Why do you think so all of the sudden?! Wait! Don't tell me this is the important news you wanted to tell me?"

I flutter, having not expected that our secrets would be exposed this early. It's not until none of them buys my excuses any longer and bores a hole deep into my soul that I accept my defeat.

"Alright, alright I yield. He... is *that guy*"

"What?! You mean the guy that you have unrequited love for?!"

They both shout in union and I nod quietly.

"Then why did you lie to us about him being your cousin? What about Tatsuya?"

"Actually I had already introduced Se-Setsuna as my cousin to Tatsuya before knowing he loved me. Beside, I also have my own reasons for lying"

"Why not just say that he's your friend?"

"It's way more complicated than you think..."

For someone who keeps appearing in my room and probably following me all over the town. Simply introducing him as a friend would just attract way more suspicions.

"Aww. And I was thinking about getting to know him too."

Hana pouts in disappointment. Having her chance of getting to know such a handsome guy like him get slipped away.

"But don't you already have a boyfriend?"

Kasumi reminds Hana about the other guy from different class that always coming to our classes to visit Hana every recess, even walking her home everyday.

"Kamiya is not my boyfriend!"

However Hana strongly denies their relationship.

Meanwhile at the living room...

A dead silence has been going on between these two ever since Shiomi and her friends left the room to the garden. As Tatsuya feels extremely uncomfortable when her cousin never stop glaring at him.

"Uhm…"

He attempts to break the awkward, only to get interrupted by Sesshomaru's straightforward attitude.

"Do you have feeling for her?"

"Huh? Her? You mean Shiomi?"

Instantly taken aback, Tatsuya almost falls off his seat. Luckily he catches his balance just in time and scratches the back of his head shyly. "Well yes, I do love her."

By then Sesshomaru's eyes widened.

"And I had confessed to her about it."

Unbeknown to Tatsuya, Sesshomaru's hand has clenched into fist.

"Do not kill anyone in this world no matter how much they annoy you!"

Shiomi's voice starts ringing inside his head and Sesshomaru clicks his tongue, restraining the urge to strike Tatsuya in any moment.

"And her answer?"

Wanting to know more about Shiomi's feeling, Sesshomaru tries to go along with his conversation. And Tatusya halts for a short moment before replying.

"Shiomi said that she already had someone whom she loved."

Already had someone she loved. He said. Sesshomaru pauses at the thought and everything turns silence again. Until they hear Shiomi's call from afar.

"We're back!"

Seeing Tatsuya stands up to greet us with a smile, I sigh in relief. Sesshomaru did keep his promise! Thanks god!

After looking at her watches, Kasumi inform us.

"Shiomi-chan, I think it's time for us to go. It's almost noon already."

"You coming?" Hana asks me and I shake my head. "Maybe another time."

"Then I shall take my leave too, Sogo-san."

Tatsuya voices his desire to get going as well and bids Sesshomaru goodbye.

"It was nice talking to you, Setsuna-san. I will see you later!"

At night

Sogo's house roof.

"The wind feels so nice up here. The city's view at night is pretty good too!"

I take a deep breath to feel the fresh air, enjoying the cool breeze flowing through my hair as we sit on the roof to watch the beautiful scenery together.

However Sesshomaru has been staying silent and keeps staring at the dark sky in front of us.

"What's wrong?"

Concerned, I ask him and his eyes shift to me.

"You seem to be spacing out a lot after my friends left. Did something happen?"

Only then Sesshomaru decides to open up."Why did you reject him?"

Rejecting him? Is he talking about Tatsuya's confession? So that's what they were talking about when I wasn't there.

"Is that, perhaps, the reason you're acting like this?"

Hearing so, he huffs in denial and turns away. "Hmph!"

Jeeze, even when there are only two of us, he's still really stubborn.

"I rejected Tatsuya-kun because I only see him as a friend…"

Taking another deep breath to gain courage, I decide to tell him the feelings that I have been keeping inside for so long.

"It's also because my heart and mind right now are filled up with images of a person whom I adore."

Holding his hand tight to keep him remains by my side, I confess. "And that person is you, Sesshomaru."

Shocked, Sesshomaru turns to look at me straight in the eyes. His golden eyes shimmered in the lamp's light and I smile to him gently.

"I love you."