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"I want to be with you"

Chapter 43

After what happened back at the cave, Sesshomaru continues his search for Sora's whereabouts for days with little to no rest. While Kohaku doesn't feel much tired or hungry with all the traveling around, Rin and Jaken look like they are about to die from starving.

Even though having told by Sesshomaru from the start that they could stayed behind and waited. The two refused to listen and stubbornly clinging onto their lord up till today. Despite being very tired, they have not complaint anything for even once.

Taking the chance that their lord stops in mid way to think for a new route, Rin and Jaken immediately take out their dried groceries, which they have stored for while due to not having time eating, to enjoy. However, before any of them can even take a bite, Sesshomaru has moved again.

In instant they abandon their little snack time to chase after him. Without having any clue of where their next destination will be.

"Sesshomaru-sama, wait for us! Sesshomaru-sama!"

"Sesshomaru...L-Listen to me... Before it's too late."

Trembling within his embrace, Shiomi speaks to him weakly. Tears have not once stopped falling.

"No matter what it takes, you have to stop Sora..."

Before he could ask her why, she tightened her arms around him too much to not wanting to let go. As if this will be their very last hug.

"I promise... that you are not going to be alone. Because I will be here, with you...!"

Only then he realized that her time was running short when Shiomi felt a sharp ache going through her body and she clenched her head in pain. As Sesshomaru's trying to support her from not falling, Shiomi whispered to his ear one last time before gently push him away.

"Together we will stand against her.."

It didn't matter how strong they were holding on to each other right now, the cruel fate's going to find a way to separate them.

That's why they should give up, not until finally putting and end to the nine-tailed fox. Because only then, Shiomi would be freed and be together with him again.

But for god knows how long after this unexpected encounter would he be able to see her again...? And who could make sure that this would not be their final embrace?

"I love you."

Those were her final words before Byakuya's call forced Shiomi to revert back into their nemesis, the nine-tailed fox Sora, and punched him flying into the wall meters off in order to escape.

The sky is turning into shades of orange colors yet soon gets covered with multiple of dark clouds just by a minute.

"Uwah! Rain!"

Rin gasps when multiple of raindrops start to fall onto her head. While Jaken's irritated as it's getting heavier in seconds and having no sight of stopping.

"Come on, Let's hurry and get in there!"

Fortunately, Kohaku spots quite a large tree not too far away and leads everyone there to take a cover.

"Phooey...! My clothes are all wet."

Rin squeezes the cold water out of her sleeves.

"I think the rain won't be stopping anytime soon. Let's us take a rest while waiting."

Kohaku settles down near the huge branches on the ground. While Jaken leans against Ah-Un, seems be out of breath. "How tiring..."

Sesshomaru just stands there watching the sky in silent. Taking a deep breath, the lord then closes his eyes and let his soul get carried away into the gentle sound of rain drops.

It's also on a rainy afternoon back then at Shiomi's house when she's still on a break from going to this specific place called *School*

"Sesshomaru, you know that human's life span is really too short comparing to youkai's, right?"

Standing by the windows watching the quiet town together, suddenly she asked me.

Even if physical harms didn't affect her, Shiomi's still human and would have to die cause of old age or disease. Deep inside, both of us had known that inevitable day would come sooner or later. It's just that neither of us had the courage to discuss, or even thought about it up until now.

"So when that time come...What will I do? What will you do?"

Shiomi's voice started to crack while forcing a smile on her face. Even making a joke out of this matter to reduce the awkwardness despite never being good at it.

"Will you cry by my death-bed? Shall I turn into a ghost to haunt you?"

Shiomi giggled at the thoughts but then her expression soon darkened.

"...Or should I give you up so that you can be with someone else?"

Her eyes stared deeply into mine, she seemed uncertain whether wanting to hear my answer or not.

For him to be with someone else but her. That is definitely something Sesshomaru can never think of. Because it's clearly that there is no one else in this world can replace her in his heart.

That's why when you're gone... I will be here waiting for you to come back to life once again. No matter how long it takes.

By the time they finish their little nap, the sky has already turned dark. Although Jaken, Kohaku and mostly Rin still not yet ready for the next journey due to haven't eaten anything for almost a day. Sesshomaru doesn't want to waste his time staying in one place any longer and continues his searching again.

However before setting off, the lord decides not to bring the others with him this time. Thinking that it's too dangerous for them to tag along since Sora's now too powerful with her new weapon. Therefore making small mistake will lead him to lose both of his life and theirs.

Meanwhile, on the very same mountain.

While traveling through the place, Sora's greeted by multiple of blue fox's fire, who are actually kitsune themselves in disguise, hiding behind the trees. Without warning they throw something at her and she catches it with her hand.

Then Sora notices that it's a regular leaf with numbers 100th painted on surface. Confused by the sudden gift, she chases after those little fur balls in order to gain some more information.

Sora summons fire to stop them from running and it scares them to death. Once finish gathering the young foxes into one spot, Sora picks up the least trembling one to question it.

"What's this all about, huh?"

After wasting more time listening to the child's explanation, she finally understands what this stupid leaf purpose is about. It's an admission ticket to a yearly Kitsune Youjutsu advancement exam.

"A newly-developed education system you say?"

No wonder Sora doesn't get it at first, since none of these kind of things have ever happened back at her time, not at least when she's still alive. Though this is a good sign that the fox race has increased in numbers and they even testing themselves to get stronger from time to time.

Perhaps if it keeps going at this rate, she may eventually having a whole Kitsune army for herself to order around in future.

Despite having told that there maybe an exception for a Kyuubi no Kitsune if they dig into the laws/rules long enough, she will still have to wait for the elder's approvals as much as going through some kind of ceremony for the graduation.

"Alright, I'm in."

In the end she decides to give the test a try since it's already been a while for her to have some little fun.

At the Kitsune's Temple.

Just right next to it is a giant mansion, in which the exam's supposed to take place. There are 30 ranks of kitsune in total and it's either that you have to study for hundreds of years in order to reach to the highest rank or... Just skipping grades by fooling with as many people as possible.

A full-fledged youkai is worth maximum points, coming next is half ones then monk/priest, demon hunter and lastly is normal human being.

While passing through the inn's hallway, Sora hears multiple of laughter right inside one of the rooms nearby and approaches to take a peek. There, she finds out that the source of all pleasure is coming mostly from the priest, who belongs to one of those annoying Inuyasha's companions.

Hmm...If this man is here then Inuyasha must also be somewhere nearby.

Having met these people so many times in a row making her wonder whether this is really coincidence or they're just everywhere.

It's not too hard to figure out that the guy is a pervert and Sora decides to join in the fun. Quickly she transforms herself into one of those girls who are serving him in similar clothes, black hair and hides away her white tails and sneaks into the crowds when no one notices.

"Kyahhh! Houshi-sama!"

Sora jumps into the monk's embrace he immediately takes the bait, just as she has expected.

"Oh my, you sure are a pretty one! Come closer!"

Just then from above a talisman falls into her hand and says that her grade is advanced, though just for a little and she still have a long way to finish the race within a very limited time. While everyone is enjoying themselves at the small party, suddenly the door is violently pushed wide open that startled the people inside the room.

But what's terrifying is the person standing right there. Who make Miroku gasps in shock. "S-Sesshomaru...?!"