Title: Falling Stars
Author: Celyia (ladycelyia@aol.com)
Genre: Romance
Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi still owns all. :-)
Dedication: To all those who enjoy the journey.
Note: Okay, this was originally written as a part of Chapter 14 but I split it up into Chapter 14 and 15 when I realised that the latter half was going to take forever to make adequate. Sorry about the long wait but it wasnt until this morning when it finally dawned on me just exactly how I was screwing up. It isn't great, but it will do. :-) By the bye, keep an eye out for Chapter 16. I hope to get that out soon but considering how long 15 took, no promises. :-)
-Cel.
Chapter 15
Sesshoumaru shook his head slowly as he watched the commotion of everyday life continue in the small village.
They seemed to be perfectly oblivious to him- these odd beings that should be bowing low before his magnificence instead of working and playing as if he didn't exist.
It was bewildering, he admitted as he smoothed the ruffled fur of his tail, but oddly freeing. For the first time in his long life, he had the power to walk unremarked through the village, his curious eyes seeking answers to questions he had never before realized he had.
After all, the only humans he had ever seen before had either cowered in terror or had thrown their frail bodies at his feet in reverence. To see this entirely new side of their pitiful lives was enlightening, if not somewhat humbling.
Silently, he stalked through the village, his chin held up proudly even as his eyes searched and assimilated every minute piece of information that he pretended not to see. Sesshoumaru didn't quite know what it was he was looking for (or, actually, where he was headed) but his instincts insisted that if he kept walking, he'd find it.
Abruptly, his ears swiveled as he caught the faint sound of high-pitched giggling somewhere to the north. A small sniff to the air proved his instinct was correct.
The laughter was Rin's.
He could actually feel the joy in her sweet voice, the light trill boiling his blood as his head swung automatically towards the north. He stood there, oblivious to the white hands that clenched slowly into fists as he concentrated on banishing the strange feeling that burst through his veins. He wasn't the only one capable of making Rin happy. The fool that he was, he had always assumed that the child smiled for him. Because of him.
He should just gather Jaken and leave now. The girl didn't need to go with them. She was, in all honesty, more trouble than what she was worth. His mouth curled into a sour frown as he found his feet automatically following the sound, a part of him wondering why he bothered when the truth was the girl would be happier here with her own kind than traveling with a couple youkai.
He would leave her here, Sesshoumaru decided suddenly as he forced himself to ignore the sudden twisting in his heart. She belonged here.
There was no reason to allow the child to trail him across the land when she could survive and thrive here. And he didn't need her.
He needed no one.
With his chin thrust out proudly, he stalked towards the voices, wondering if it would be better to say goodbye or to just leave. Undoubtedly, he should just leave. A clean break would be best for her; not to mention, he didn't feel like dealing with the inevitable tears. (What if she didn't cry?) Truly, it was quite odd that he had never considered leaving Rin with humans in the past. She was one of them, after all. She belonged here.
No. He wouldn't say goodbye. He would leave. And just leave now.
Several minutes later, Sesshoumaru frowned ferociously as he looked around the brilliant greens and yellows of the forest.
They had let Rin wander out this far?
Who the hell would let children play so far from the safety of the village? Not that he would ever get angry over the sake of a mere human, but it seemed incredibly foolhardy that he had actually considered leaving Rin to the care of people like this. No. This wouldn't do at all.
Maybe he'd leave her in the next village then, he thought as he ignored the satisfaction pounding in his chest. If, Sesshoumaru quickly added the caveat, they proved to be capable of taking care of Rin. After all, he had spent several years protecting the child. It would hardly suit if she died now due to neglect and it was obvious that these people were ignorant of the care necessary to raise a bright, curious child.
Smiling faintly at his impeccable reasoning, Sesshoumaru stepped out from behind the trees into a rather beautiful meadow hidden in the heart of the forest. Bright sunlight shimmered between the thick, star-shaped leaves, the golden rays sparkling as they fell upon the mottled, tall grass sprawling across the length of the meadow. Colorful flowers of every sort, including species he had never before seen, poked up between the blades of dark green. In the very center of it all was a small, rickety old well that had long been overrun by the presence of thick vines of ivy that twisted their way in and out from between the wooden panels. Attractive, yes, but it wasn't the beauty of the environment that caused him to stop dead in his tracks or that made his pulse speed up just a little bit.
She kneeled there, her slender back leaning against the wooden well, the morning breeze whispering through her black mane even as she bestowed a bright smile upon the child who shoved the clumsily fashioned wreath beneath the young woman's nose.
"Wow, you really picked that up fast, Rin," Kagome praised as she nodded her head in encouragement.
"Do you think Sesshoumaru-sama will like it?" the little girl asked, her wild hair bouncing even as she shifted nervously from foot to foot, her anxiety earning a small smile from the youkai who watched from the cover of the trees.
The woman smoothed the girl's hair down affectionately, her mouth pulling up at the corner crookedly.
"Yes, Rin-chan. Don't you agree, Shippou-chan?"
"Feh. This is dumb," the young kitsune snorted arrogantly, his wide eyes averted as he tried to keep from looking at the wreath too overtly.
"He's only saying that 'cuz he can't do it, Kagome-chan," Rin stated smugly, taking the opportunity to poke her tongue out at the boy.
The young woman seemed to ponder Rin's statement, her head cocked to the side. "Hmm. No, I'm sure Shippou-chan could make one if he tried hard enough. Want to give it a shot, Shippou-chan?"
Shippou shook his head vehemently. "No way! I'm only here to protect you, anyway…"
Sesshoumaru cocked an eyebrow at the young youkai's words, amused that at least one person in the group had some sense, even if it had come from a child.
"… I'm not going to waste my time doing girlie stuff."
Kagome rolled her eyes as she fell back onto her haunches. Instinctively, she pulled Rin onto her lap as she smiled wryly at the kitsune.
"Girlie, eh. What's so girlie about making wreaths?"
Shippou snorted indignantly, his eyes rolling up to the heavens as if he were pleading for patience.
"Oh, come on! Wreaths? Please! The next thing you'll have me doing is playing with dolls!" he spit out in disgust, only to earn a look of confusion on Rin's face.
"Dolls?"
Kagome seemed to be taken aback by the girl's innocent question, her full lips pulling into a pout as she squeezed Rin affectionately.
"What? You too stupid to know what a doll is?" the kitsune grumbled, clearly annoyed.
Sesshoumaru growled, stepping out of the cover of the trees. That pup needed to be taught a lesson…
"I'd say it's more likely that she's been too busy to learn," Kagome stated dryly, her voice stopping the youkai lord in his tracks. "After all, how much time could she have to play with dolls if she's adventuring with Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"Yeah!" the little girl stuck her tongue out again, her innocent gloating somewhat amusing to the youkai lord.
Shippou just huffed as he crawled up on Kagome's shoulder.
"Girls. They are all soooo weird."
"You sound like my little brother," Kagome grinned as she tousled the messy red hair with an affectionate hand. "If it helps, we girls think the same thing about you boys."
"Feh!"
The young woman chuckled, the sound musical and sweet.
"So you really don't know what a doll is, Rin-chan?" Kagome asked suddenly, her blue eyes gentle.
The little girl shook her head.
"Hmm. Wait right here," Kagome said, her voice low. Silently, she stood up, displacing the children from her arms as she winked conspiringly. Then suddenly, she leapt over the side of the ancient well with an inborn athleticism that Sesshoumaru would have never thought the girl would possess.
The little girl made a strange, garbled sound, something between a laugh and a scream, even as her eyes peered over the edge of the well.
"It's okay," the kitsune muttered as he patted her awkwardly upon her back. "She'll be back in a minute."
"But she's not down there," Rin stated, apparently unable to take her eyes away from the well.
"Yeah. Weird, huh? That's where Kagome lives, you know," Shippou stated, earning raised eyebrows from both Rin and the youkai watching from the sanctuary of the trees.
"Miss me?" Sesshoumaru heard a voice ask even as a dark head peeped up from above the moldy, wooden construct surrounding the well.
"Kagome-chan!" Rin called out, throwing her small body into the woman's arms even as Kagome pulled herself free from the well.
Kagome giggled, oblivious to the fear in the child's eyes.
"Close your eyes, Rin," the woman whispered, her eyes as brilliant as the twilight sky. Yes, Sesshoumaru thought as he watched Rin close her eyes obediently, the miko is rather pretty. If one's taste (undoubtedly poor) ran towards humans.
Grinning widely, Kagome stuffed a small, plainly clothed figure into the girl's tiny hands, only to burst into laughter at Rin's amazed expression.
"There you go," Kagome said proudly, her smile magnificent as she watched Rin, who was instinctively holding the doll to her heart and cuddle it. "That's my favourite doll in the entire world. My mama gave it to me when I was about your age, I think."
"Really?" the child asked, her eyes wide as she looked at the woman curiously.
"Really," Kagome smiled, tapping the child's nose with the tip of her finger.
Rin, her lips tugged into an ecstatic smile, lifted the doll up to the air, her eyes seeming to burn each worn, ragged feature into memory.
"Oh, Kagome-chan! She's so beautiful!" the child spurted to Sesshoumaru's surprise, obviously seeing something in the bundle of rags and thread that he didn't.
"Good! Okay, you gotta name her now," Kagome instructed, her sumptuous lips pulling up in amusement.
Rin looked started as she went to hand the doll back to the woman.
"Name her?"
"Yeah. Name her. She'll need a good name, you know, especially since she'll be going everywhere with you from now on."
The child's jaw dropped, her sweet face glowing beatifically as she wrapped her chubby arms around Kagome's neck in pure joy.
"Really?" Rin repeated, the excitement in her voice nearly contagious.
Kagome hugged her tightly, rocking the child back and forth slowly as she planted a kiss on the top of the girl's head.
"Promise."
Sesshoumaru frowned, his eyes drinking in the charming scene even as his heart shied away from it. Undoubtedly the woman meant her words, but … Sesshoumaru frowned as he turned his head away from the bliss on Rin's face.
One should never make a promise life won't let them keep.
He wiped the blood away from his lower lip, his nostrils flaring as he willed himself not to cry.
A youkai never cries.
Hadn't his father told him that a million times already?
"Sesshoumaru-sama?" she called, her soft voice seeping into his heart as if it were poison.
"Go away," he growled, angrily dabbing at the tears that welled up against his will in his eyes.
Quietly, she stepped behind the thin bamboo curtain that hid the small alcove from view, only to pause hesitantly as her sad eyes rested on his undernourished form.
"He did it again, didn't he, Sesshou?" the woman whispered even as her hands came to rest upon the young youkai's shoulders.
Sesshoumaru shrugged them off, only to growl as the woman, heedless to his temper, instead encircled her arms around his neck. Ignoring the comforting way he could feel her heart beat against his back, the youkai propelled himself forward out of her arms.
"Sesshou? Please? Let me see?"
He shook his head slowly, his breathing forced and deep as he tried to regain his calm. Instinctively, he raised the back of his hand to wipe away the remnants of the tears that had just begun to overflow the golden wells.
"Sesshou. What did he do?" Her voice was stronger, more commanding as she tugged on his left shoulder. "Sesshou. How can I protect you if you don't let me know what happened?"
"I'm the youkai here, remember? You are only a human," he spat out, hating himself for the weakness he could hear escaping through his words. "How could you possibly protect me?"
She sighed, her aura suddenly weak and helpless as she leaned her head against his back. Without seeming to think about it, she ran her slender fingers through his silver hair, almost as if she were a mother cat grooming her kitten.
"Remember when I first started working here?" she said, her voice nostalgic as she traced her fingers through the long strands.
Intent on ignoring her, Sesshoumaru stared ahead even as his mind replayed that first day so many years before.
"I do," the woman said, a smile in her voice. "I was no more than 12 or so, but I remember it like I was yesterday. I remember seeing my master. And then, I remember seeing my master's beautiful son."
"Beautiful isn't a word you use for a boy," Sesshoumaru growled, only to wince as he realized she had succeeded in drawing him into the memory.
"Oh, but Sesshou. In your case, it was true," the woman chuckled softly as she finally stopped playing with his hair. "I had never seen anyone that beautiful before. And I must admit, I practically fell off my chair the first time you walked into the kitchen looking for that silly squirrel."
He straightened his back as he tried to ignore her words, but the soft lull of her voice was almost too much to resist.
"You did fall off your chair."
The woman laughed as she hugged him tightly from behind. Smiling reluctantly, Sesshoumaru caught her hands and held them close to his heart.
"You DO remember! I knew you would."
"I am youkai. There isn't much I forget."
The woman stood up on the very tips of her toes and kissed the back of his head, only to chuckle ruefully as she nearly tripped.
"I remember when I used to be taller than you. Where on earth has the time gone?"
Sesshoumaru sighed as he turned to face the woman, his heart suddenly clenching as he watched the emotions flicker behind her beautiful eyes. Regret. Pity. Disgust. Concern. Anger.
Uncertainly, she reached a hand up to cup his bruised jaw, only to look repentant as he winced from the gentle touch.
"What was it this time?"
Sesshoumaru shrugged, his golden eyes looking everywhere except for her face.
"Sesshou…"
"Does it really matter?" he grunted, hating the fact that he was near tears once again. Damn woman always had that effect upon him.
"Sesshoumaru!"
"He hates me," he blurted, his lips pulled into a ferocious grimace as his eyes met hers. Trembling now, he wiped the sleeve of his expensive kimono across his face even as he pulled away from her touch.
"Sesshou, you know that isn't true."
"It is and you know it," Sesshoumaru spat, closing his eyes as he willed himself to regain the control his father insisted he so desperately needed.
The woman sat down on the wooden window seat, only to reach her slender arms out affectionately to the boy.
"Come here, Sesshou."
The youkai tossed his head, frowning as he looked at her earnest expression.
When did it happen? He wondered as he kneeled upon the ground and rested his head in her soft lap. No longer trusting himself to speak, Sesshoumaru bit his bottom lip as he felt her hands glide lovingly through his hair.
When did he start thinking of this lowly human as a mother? Forever, it seems. Even when they were both children, she took care of him. Hiding him from not only jealousy of the peasants, but his father's wrath as well. But ten years later, he was still a child and she was a woman grown. It seemed wrong, really. Not only was he technically older than her, but he was a proud youkai. His father would have been the first one, before, to tell him that humans were unworthy of notice.
And now, Inutaisho was wedding one. This one. Stealing the only person he had ever felt comfortable with away from him.
Sesshoumaru wrapped his arms tightly around his stepmother-to-be's waist, only to relax his grip as he felt more than heard her gasp of pain.
When did it all change?
"Why?" he asked suddenly, unable to stop the word as it escaped from his lips.
"Because I love you, Sesshoumaru," the woman answered without hesitation. Her fingers tapped the tip of his nose playfully. "And your father does love you, even if he has the tendency to be too cruel sometimes. But that is only because he doesn't want to see you hurt. And the pup I carry will love you, too."
Soundlessly, he raised his head to stare at the stomach that had just begun to protrude with the fullness of new life. Shyly, he placed his slender, white hand upon the stomach, only to feel the vibrations of the woman's chuckling.
"Yes. Your little brother or sister will love you very much, I think. Especially," she restrained a giggle as she mussed up his hair, only to laugh openly as he quickly smoothed the silver strands down, "if Big Brother Sesshou-chan lets them play with his pets."
"Is my hanyou sibling really in there?" he wondered suddenly, his voice filled with awe.
"No, Sesshou. But your sibling is. Forget about youkai and humans and hanyou, please? For now, let's just be a family?"
He raised his head slowly, allowing her brown eyes to flit over the bruised and battered skin. Ignoring the tears that suddenly filled her eyes, Sesshoumaru spoke again.
"A family?"
The idea was new. Exciting, really. His mother had died so long ago, giving him life, as his father loved to remind him. But this woman, human or not, would be strong where his mother was weak.
She would survive childbirth.
Sesshoumaru would make sure of it.
Flinging his arms around her thin neck, Sesshoumaru nearly toppled the woman over, only to be caught off guard by her merry laughter.
"Yes. A family."
"Promise?" he asked, his heart caught in his throat as he found himself unable to pull himself away from her warm embrace. A family. He would like that.
"Always, Sesshou-chan. Always."
He stood silently, his face ashen as he concentrated on the moment. His breathing, hoarse and almost pained, seemed reluctant to leave his lungs as he watched the woman rock the girl sweetly in her arms, her face absolutely glowing with a maternal pride.
How could such a simple scene be the most mesmerizing sight he had ever witnessed? Sesshoumaru frowned, helpless to take his golden eyes away from her sweet form even when Rin looked up and screamed in joy as she noticed his presence.
He was helpless to turn away from this strange woman even as Rin ran straight into his body, flinging her arms around him happily. Reflexively, he picked the child up, a part of him angry with himself for the affectionate gesture yet the rest of him oblivious to the fact as his golden eyes focused on dark blue ones.
Quietly, hesitantly, Kagome and the kitsune approached him, her eyes meeting his with no apprehension, only confusion.
They were really rather pretty, Sesshoumaru decided as he stared into the woman's heavily fringed depths.
Suddenly, he became completely aware of the frantic pounding of his heart as the corners of the woman's lips turned up into a slight, modest smile.
"Look!" Rin shouted gleefully as she pushed the old doll into his face. "Kagome-chan gave her to me!"
The spell broken, Sesshoumaru gently set the child to her feet as he nodded at the woman with a practiced indifference.
The woman blinked and returned the nod, her cheeks turning an attractive red as she turned her attention down to the two children who stood at her feet.
"Well, it's getting pretty late and all," Kagome started suddenly, her eyes slowly moving up to meet his again. "We should…"
Sesshoumaru frowned as the woman stopped abruptly, her face turning almost a sickly green as her eyes seemed to be glued to his stomach. Curiously, he followed her view down.
Strange. He hadn't even felt the wound reopen.
Silently, she placed her hands upon his blood-soaked kimono, her trembling fingers sending a shock through his body as they applied a gentle pressure even as he could tell she was fighting to keep her calm.
"Shippou-chan, go back to the village and grab the first aid kit for me, please?"
The kitsune nodded, his small form gone from the meadow before Sesshoumaru could blink.
"You just had to refuse the stitches, didn't you?" the woman dared to scold, her eyes flashing as she averted her eyes from the blood.
"Sesshoumaru-sama?" Rin spoke up, the damnable doll gripped tightly in her hands as she looked up at him with an almost tangible fear.
"It's nothing, Rin," he said calmly, glaring at the stupid woman who scared the child with her senseless worrying. Did she think she was dealing with a weak human? A wound such as this had the power to only inconvenience a youkai such as him for a few days maximum.
"He'll be fine, Rin," Kagome grumbled as she pressed a little too hard against the wound. Sesshoumaru growled, covering the grunt that escaped his lips at her rough administrations. "He's too stubborn to be hurt. Or to admit to it."
Not deigning to acknowledge her silly remark with a response, Sesshoumaru glared at the miko, willing the full strength of his personality to intimidate her.
But she seemed oblivious to his displeasure.
"Rin. Gather your things," he said suddenly as he pushed her bloody hands away from his stomach. "It is time we leave."
The child nodded, her eyes downcast as she held the doll to her chest.
"You aren't going anywhere, bub" the woman huffed as she looked squeamishly at the blood covering her hands.
Yes. The brave little lioness cannot stand the sight of blood, Sesshoumaru decided, biting down a raw bit of amusement even as it rumbled in his throat. How odd. How far would she go, he wondered suddenly as he allowed her to replace her hands upon his stomach. How far would she go to do something that she believes is right even though it disgusts her?
Wordlessly, he sat down on the edge of the old well, his face impassive even as she pulled the white silk from his chest.
No. It is possible for her eyes to get even wider, Sesshoumaru admitted with a slight smile as her pupils dilated as she stared at his white, muscular stomach.
She turned away, her hands shaking even as she reapplied the pressure against the soaked bandage. "Rin-chan, do me a favour?"
The little girl cocked her head, considerably less upset by the youkai's wounds than the miko.
"Yes, Kagome-chan?"
"Do pick some flowers for Sesshoumaru-sama, please? Flowers help people who are sick to get better faster, you know."
Rin smiled brightly as she nodded her head. "Really? Oh. Then Rin will pick ALL the flowers then so Sesshoumaru-sama gets better really fast."
Kagome smiled weakly as she watched the child scamper off to pick the meadow clean.
"That really was not necessary," Sesshoumaru spoke up, his voice low as he watched the dread usurp the peaceful expression upon the woman's face. Slowly, she turned an eye towards his wound, only to shudder violently as she realized what mess her fingers were currently playing in. "Unlike most humans, Rin isn't weak and can handle the sight of blood."
"I'm not weak," Kagome insisted as she turned her entire gaze towards his stomach. Sesshoumaru felt a smile playing about his lips as he listened to the way her heart beat faster.
"I'm not. I just prefer that internal organs stay internal."
"Don't spout such nonsense, woman. All my internal organs, as you call them, still reside within …"
The woman groaned as she lowered her head. "Oh, don't even go there. This is not a conversation I want to be having right about now."
"Of course it isn't," the youkai lord said smoothly, waiting for her reaction to his next words. "Considering that the only time I, Sesshoumaru, ever get injured is when you are around, you are probably afflicted, most rightfully so, with guilt."
Incredulously, Kagome just shook her head. "Must you keep repeating your name? Or are you afraid that if you don't, you'll forget it?" The girl grumbled nastily as she looked in the direction of the village. He could almost hear her wishing for the kitsune to return.
"No, indeed, it is my concession towards your inferiority, of course," he continued, trying his damnedest to keep as straight face as he watched hers turn red with either embarrassment or anger.
Either way, it was still amusing. No wonder why his brother kept the wench around.
"My inferiority?" she spoke slowly. Dangerously.
"I applaud you. You are one of the few humans who have the presence of mind to realize your status," he inclined his head graciously towards the girl.
Without a word, the girl stood up, pausing only to wipe her bloody hands along the clean white silk of his ruined kimono.
His eyes narrowed at the rebellious gesture, all amusement gone as she glared down at him.
"You overstep your boundaries, wench," Sesshoumaru growled as he watched her meet his eyes defiantly.
"And you are being a big jerk," the miko sputtered, her heart beating at a chaotic pace. "I'm only trying to help you. But do you appreciate it? No. You are too busy insulting me."
"I don't need your help, human." Sesshoumaru snarled, coming instantly to his feet as he pushed the woman away. His claws extended, he ripped the bandage off his stomach, enjoying the horrified look in Kagome's eyes as the wounds pulled completely open.
Fine. It hurt like hell, but watching her reaction made the pain completely worth it.
Well, mostly.
He ground his teeth as he overrode the instinct to hold his stomach protectively. Perhaps tearing off the bandage wasn't such a brilliant idea.
"Jerk," Kagome muttered as she pulled the old bandage from his hand and pressed it against his stomach. "Really. Men."
"I am not a man," Sesshoumaru stated coldly, curiously uneasy with the impatient words. "I am a youkai. A male youkai. There is a difference."
"Could have fooled me."
He felt his lips turn in disgust as he gazed down at the woman before him. How dare she compare him to a human?
He lowered his head to tell it to her, instinctively cupping her chin in the palm of his hands as he forced her to look up at him.
Sesshoumaru blinked in shock as he stared into the pretty blue eyes, his heart pounding loudly, almost deafeningly, as he recognized the look written in every sweet line of her face.
Concern.
The woman was worried about him.
Silently, he took a labored breath as he tried to think but no words would come to mind. This woman he hardly knew, this little lioness he had tried to kill on numerous occasions was worried. About him.
Why?
Why didn't she fear for her own safety? Sesshoumaru wondered as his golden eyes traced over soft skin and pink lips. Why would she care?
Why would she care what happened to him?
He opened his mouth to demand the answer from her, to know why her blue eyes shimmered and why her black eyebrows knitted together.
It was a misunderstanding. It had to be.
But the look on her face tugged at something deep inside, so far down he couldn't name the emotion if he tried. Unable to restrain himself, he lowered his head and inhaled her sweet scent deep into his lungs. Closing his eyes, he reveled in the beguiling smell, his hand still holding her chin firmly as his fingers seemed to memorize the feel of her skin against his.
What on earth was she doing to him, Sesshoumaru wondered as he looked back into those startled eyes. And further more, why wasn't he angry about it?
"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked hesitantly as he finally noticed her dilated pupils and her quick, shallow breathing. "Are you okay? Maybe you should sit?"
The youkai shook his head, the movement swift and nearly imperceptible.
Kagome closed her eyes for a moment, but almost immediately, took a deep, fortifying breath. Silently, she placed her hands upon his strong shoulders, seemingly content to allow them rest upon them.
Stunned by her boldness, he felt his head turn slowly to stare at the soft, white hands that rested so innocuously upon his person, only to feel his eyebrows rise as the miko suddenly pushed down with so much force that the youkai lord found himself sitting upon the old, moldy wood of the well.
Quietly, Kagome kneeled next to him, her hands busily working away as she attempted to stop the profuse bleeding. Mesmerized by her sudden competency, Sesshoumaru watched her soundlessly as he tried to calm the pounding of his heart.
"Thank you," she blurted out, almost shyly as she fiddled with the thin, white silk. "I didn't get to really say it before, but thank you."
He closed his eyes as he inclined his head graciously towards the woman, unable to watch as the woman continued to bestow her compassion upon him.
"Shippou-chan," Kagome breathed, the tightness that had been evident in her voice suddenly vanished as the young kitsune bounded up.
His eyes flashed open as he frowned, mentally kicking himself for allowing his guard to lapse. Had it been any other youkai, Rin and Kagome could very well be dead now.
"Here, Kagome," the kitsune said as he thrust a white box with a strange, red cross emblazoned on the top into the girl's waiting hands. "I didn't know what you wanted so I brought all of it."
The woman smiled in satisfaction at the kitsune.
"Shippou-chan! Here," Rin ordered as she ambled up, only to force some flowers into the boy's hands. "You need to pick flowers for Sesshoumaru-sama."
"Really," the demon lord muttered dryly, unable to keep from commenting at the boy's horrified face. "It is not necessary."
"Yes, it is," Rin insisted as she pulled the towards the flowers by his sleeve. "Kagome-chan said that the flowers will magically make Sesshoumaru-sama better if we pick them all."
"Rin!" Kagome started, her face red with embarrassment as the child turned to face her, brown eyes wide with innocence.
"Yes, Kagome-chan?"
The woman sighed in resignation as she looked at Rin's blissful face.
"Have fun picking the flowers."
Rin bounced up and down happily as she thanked Kagome prettily, only to destroy her angelic demeanor a moment later by grabbing Shippou by his tail and dragging him towards the field.
"Okay. Fine. I didn't have the heart to correct her. So sue me," the woman muttered as she looked down at the white box. Had she looked up at that moment, perhaps she would have seen the small, almost gentle smile that graced the youkai's lips for a second.
He shook his head slowly as he forced his attention from the woman who tended his ribs so meticulously and back towards the children who argued happily among the brilliantly colored blossom. He raised an eyebrow in amusement as he watched Rin suddenly bop Shippou on the head with the doll, only to run screaming happily in circles as the kitsune began to chase her playfully.
"Good god, they act like they are brother and sister," the woman laughed, the sound short but infinitely sweet. "Children! Geesh! Try not to kill each other too badly over there!" Kagome called out, only to respond with a small flutter of a hand as the kids stopped playing long enough to wave merrily at her.
Sesshoumaru shook his head slowly as he watched the woman as the laughter warmed her cheeks and brightened her pretty eyes.
Yes, he decided as he looked up towards the blue sky. It was a good thing this miko was human. Or else he might be tempted to take her as his mate.
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Chibi Tenshi: *grin* Don't give me any ideas. *ponders the possibility of a Jaken-chan fanclub* Oh, I can be cruel but maybe not that cruel. :-) You are such a flatterer! But thank you MUCH for it! *bounces around* Hope you enjoyed Chapter 15. :-)
Vernal Equinox: So? What did you think? Huh? Huh? Huh? And I'm glad you think I actually managed to keep poor Sesshou in character. Man, is it getting harder as time goes on. :-) Its hard to make him the romantic sort.
Silverhawk: (Note: not Silverhawk456) ;-) Aw! You don't like Jaken-chan in a dress? I hear he has really nice legs. (Okay, I just managed to get myself sick. :-) Oh, I threw in a couple more muscle moments just for you. Enjoy!
Monmon: Oh, Rin and Shippou arent the only ones to adore our Kagome-chan. If everything pans out right, you'll see more of Jaken in drag in the next chapter. :-)
Steph: I swear to god you crack me up! Yeah. Originally, I was going to do a small salute to Tamysan's Love Potion since it was planned to be Sango who would lead Jaken astray, but I had to restrain myself since Miroku made more sense. :-) And I was hoping to make this entire chapter the end of 14, but... :-) Hope you forgive me!
Stormlight: More Sess-chan? Hmm. Let me see what I can do. :-)
Misao: Thank you so much! *bounces around* I hope you liked this chapter!
Ran-chan Inverse: *GRIN* I'm so glad you caught that. Aw, you are such the best, cutie. Thank you.
Kylara: Well, this chapter was an itty bit longer. ;-) Glad you liked the Rin-Shippou scene. They seem to work pretty well together. Thank you. :-) It means a lot to know that you like the way this is going, even if it is a *gasp* K/S and not K/IY. The idea you are open minded enough to continue reading this fic is extremely cool. Thanks. Oh, and believe it or not, this is not a IY/Kikyou story. :-) At this time, I still don't intend on having her pop in this fic, but she is scheduled to be in a side-story (actually, inspired by you) that I hope you'll like. :-)
MoonAngel: Woo! Thank you! Thank you! *does the snoopy dance for you* Isn't he a fox? :-) Well, in a dog-demony way. :-)
Jaye: Thanks, hon :-) Sorry about taking so long to post! Hope you still like this!
Voldersnort: Are you starting to feel more at ease yet? ;-) And I definitely took your advice and spent a while revising this latest chapter. :-) *waits anxiously to find out your impression of it*
Angry Gen: Feel bad for Jaken? ;-) Never. *grin* Actually, now you've given me a goal. *GRIN* Please let me know if you actually *do* start feeling bad for the old guy.
Winter: Thanks! The Kaede/Sesshoumaru part was actually a lot of fun for me to write, though I was worried that I couldn't pull her off. I'm glad you liked it. As for the dream sequence.. *GRIN* Kagome is a strange girl, isn't she?
Aeryie: Thank you! I'm definitely relieved you liked the dream. I wasn't really sure about adding it, but at the end, I didn't think it was possible *not* to. Hope you like what happens next!
Japriter17: *giggle* Why, thank you! I read your fics and they seemed really sweet. Kikyou's a cool character. Can't wait to see what happens now that Sess has acquired a new slave. *falls to the ground in a faint* Two months? That's okay. Sometimes it takes a while to figure out what you wanna do with a story. But still. Hurry!
Baka deshi: Woo. :-) Thank you vera much! As for stupid Jaken, *GRIN* a smart one wouldn't put a dress on. :-)
Neurofreez: *innocent look* Play a trick on Jaken-chan? Would Miroku do that? *grin* Ah! What love does to a man, eh? :-) Okay, fine. Maybe its not love yet, but give me a few more chapters!
Nizûno Mikomi : Now your reaction is just funny :-) Danke. Hope you liked Chapter 15!
No One: Yes, ma'am! :-) Are things turning out okay?
Archaic Tears: Thank you for the reviews! It's really cool of you to review all those at once. I appreciate it. :-) Oh, yeah. Demonheart, the revised edition, (no new chapter though) should be posted soon. As for Sesshou! Yeah. I've been SUCH a bitch to him, but the way I figure it, he's gotta earn his way to paradise, baby! :-) Thanks!
Author: Celyia (ladycelyia@aol.com)
Genre: Romance
Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi still owns all. :-)
Dedication: To all those who enjoy the journey.
Note: Okay, this was originally written as a part of Chapter 14 but I split it up into Chapter 14 and 15 when I realised that the latter half was going to take forever to make adequate. Sorry about the long wait but it wasnt until this morning when it finally dawned on me just exactly how I was screwing up. It isn't great, but it will do. :-) By the bye, keep an eye out for Chapter 16. I hope to get that out soon but considering how long 15 took, no promises. :-)
-Cel.
Chapter 15
Sesshoumaru shook his head slowly as he watched the commotion of everyday life continue in the small village.
They seemed to be perfectly oblivious to him- these odd beings that should be bowing low before his magnificence instead of working and playing as if he didn't exist.
It was bewildering, he admitted as he smoothed the ruffled fur of his tail, but oddly freeing. For the first time in his long life, he had the power to walk unremarked through the village, his curious eyes seeking answers to questions he had never before realized he had.
After all, the only humans he had ever seen before had either cowered in terror or had thrown their frail bodies at his feet in reverence. To see this entirely new side of their pitiful lives was enlightening, if not somewhat humbling.
Silently, he stalked through the village, his chin held up proudly even as his eyes searched and assimilated every minute piece of information that he pretended not to see. Sesshoumaru didn't quite know what it was he was looking for (or, actually, where he was headed) but his instincts insisted that if he kept walking, he'd find it.
Abruptly, his ears swiveled as he caught the faint sound of high-pitched giggling somewhere to the north. A small sniff to the air proved his instinct was correct.
The laughter was Rin's.
He could actually feel the joy in her sweet voice, the light trill boiling his blood as his head swung automatically towards the north. He stood there, oblivious to the white hands that clenched slowly into fists as he concentrated on banishing the strange feeling that burst through his veins. He wasn't the only one capable of making Rin happy. The fool that he was, he had always assumed that the child smiled for him. Because of him.
He should just gather Jaken and leave now. The girl didn't need to go with them. She was, in all honesty, more trouble than what she was worth. His mouth curled into a sour frown as he found his feet automatically following the sound, a part of him wondering why he bothered when the truth was the girl would be happier here with her own kind than traveling with a couple youkai.
He would leave her here, Sesshoumaru decided suddenly as he forced himself to ignore the sudden twisting in his heart. She belonged here.
There was no reason to allow the child to trail him across the land when she could survive and thrive here. And he didn't need her.
He needed no one.
With his chin thrust out proudly, he stalked towards the voices, wondering if it would be better to say goodbye or to just leave. Undoubtedly, he should just leave. A clean break would be best for her; not to mention, he didn't feel like dealing with the inevitable tears. (What if she didn't cry?) Truly, it was quite odd that he had never considered leaving Rin with humans in the past. She was one of them, after all. She belonged here.
No. He wouldn't say goodbye. He would leave. And just leave now.
Several minutes later, Sesshoumaru frowned ferociously as he looked around the brilliant greens and yellows of the forest.
They had let Rin wander out this far?
Who the hell would let children play so far from the safety of the village? Not that he would ever get angry over the sake of a mere human, but it seemed incredibly foolhardy that he had actually considered leaving Rin to the care of people like this. No. This wouldn't do at all.
Maybe he'd leave her in the next village then, he thought as he ignored the satisfaction pounding in his chest. If, Sesshoumaru quickly added the caveat, they proved to be capable of taking care of Rin. After all, he had spent several years protecting the child. It would hardly suit if she died now due to neglect and it was obvious that these people were ignorant of the care necessary to raise a bright, curious child.
Smiling faintly at his impeccable reasoning, Sesshoumaru stepped out from behind the trees into a rather beautiful meadow hidden in the heart of the forest. Bright sunlight shimmered between the thick, star-shaped leaves, the golden rays sparkling as they fell upon the mottled, tall grass sprawling across the length of the meadow. Colorful flowers of every sort, including species he had never before seen, poked up between the blades of dark green. In the very center of it all was a small, rickety old well that had long been overrun by the presence of thick vines of ivy that twisted their way in and out from between the wooden panels. Attractive, yes, but it wasn't the beauty of the environment that caused him to stop dead in his tracks or that made his pulse speed up just a little bit.
She kneeled there, her slender back leaning against the wooden well, the morning breeze whispering through her black mane even as she bestowed a bright smile upon the child who shoved the clumsily fashioned wreath beneath the young woman's nose.
"Wow, you really picked that up fast, Rin," Kagome praised as she nodded her head in encouragement.
"Do you think Sesshoumaru-sama will like it?" the little girl asked, her wild hair bouncing even as she shifted nervously from foot to foot, her anxiety earning a small smile from the youkai who watched from the cover of the trees.
The woman smoothed the girl's hair down affectionately, her mouth pulling up at the corner crookedly.
"Yes, Rin-chan. Don't you agree, Shippou-chan?"
"Feh. This is dumb," the young kitsune snorted arrogantly, his wide eyes averted as he tried to keep from looking at the wreath too overtly.
"He's only saying that 'cuz he can't do it, Kagome-chan," Rin stated smugly, taking the opportunity to poke her tongue out at the boy.
The young woman seemed to ponder Rin's statement, her head cocked to the side. "Hmm. No, I'm sure Shippou-chan could make one if he tried hard enough. Want to give it a shot, Shippou-chan?"
Shippou shook his head vehemently. "No way! I'm only here to protect you, anyway…"
Sesshoumaru cocked an eyebrow at the young youkai's words, amused that at least one person in the group had some sense, even if it had come from a child.
"… I'm not going to waste my time doing girlie stuff."
Kagome rolled her eyes as she fell back onto her haunches. Instinctively, she pulled Rin onto her lap as she smiled wryly at the kitsune.
"Girlie, eh. What's so girlie about making wreaths?"
Shippou snorted indignantly, his eyes rolling up to the heavens as if he were pleading for patience.
"Oh, come on! Wreaths? Please! The next thing you'll have me doing is playing with dolls!" he spit out in disgust, only to earn a look of confusion on Rin's face.
"Dolls?"
Kagome seemed to be taken aback by the girl's innocent question, her full lips pulling into a pout as she squeezed Rin affectionately.
"What? You too stupid to know what a doll is?" the kitsune grumbled, clearly annoyed.
Sesshoumaru growled, stepping out of the cover of the trees. That pup needed to be taught a lesson…
"I'd say it's more likely that she's been too busy to learn," Kagome stated dryly, her voice stopping the youkai lord in his tracks. "After all, how much time could she have to play with dolls if she's adventuring with Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"Yeah!" the little girl stuck her tongue out again, her innocent gloating somewhat amusing to the youkai lord.
Shippou just huffed as he crawled up on Kagome's shoulder.
"Girls. They are all soooo weird."
"You sound like my little brother," Kagome grinned as she tousled the messy red hair with an affectionate hand. "If it helps, we girls think the same thing about you boys."
"Feh!"
The young woman chuckled, the sound musical and sweet.
"So you really don't know what a doll is, Rin-chan?" Kagome asked suddenly, her blue eyes gentle.
The little girl shook her head.
"Hmm. Wait right here," Kagome said, her voice low. Silently, she stood up, displacing the children from her arms as she winked conspiringly. Then suddenly, she leapt over the side of the ancient well with an inborn athleticism that Sesshoumaru would have never thought the girl would possess.
The little girl made a strange, garbled sound, something between a laugh and a scream, even as her eyes peered over the edge of the well.
"It's okay," the kitsune muttered as he patted her awkwardly upon her back. "She'll be back in a minute."
"But she's not down there," Rin stated, apparently unable to take her eyes away from the well.
"Yeah. Weird, huh? That's where Kagome lives, you know," Shippou stated, earning raised eyebrows from both Rin and the youkai watching from the sanctuary of the trees.
"Miss me?" Sesshoumaru heard a voice ask even as a dark head peeped up from above the moldy, wooden construct surrounding the well.
"Kagome-chan!" Rin called out, throwing her small body into the woman's arms even as Kagome pulled herself free from the well.
Kagome giggled, oblivious to the fear in the child's eyes.
"Close your eyes, Rin," the woman whispered, her eyes as brilliant as the twilight sky. Yes, Sesshoumaru thought as he watched Rin close her eyes obediently, the miko is rather pretty. If one's taste (undoubtedly poor) ran towards humans.
Grinning widely, Kagome stuffed a small, plainly clothed figure into the girl's tiny hands, only to burst into laughter at Rin's amazed expression.
"There you go," Kagome said proudly, her smile magnificent as she watched Rin, who was instinctively holding the doll to her heart and cuddle it. "That's my favourite doll in the entire world. My mama gave it to me when I was about your age, I think."
"Really?" the child asked, her eyes wide as she looked at the woman curiously.
"Really," Kagome smiled, tapping the child's nose with the tip of her finger.
Rin, her lips tugged into an ecstatic smile, lifted the doll up to the air, her eyes seeming to burn each worn, ragged feature into memory.
"Oh, Kagome-chan! She's so beautiful!" the child spurted to Sesshoumaru's surprise, obviously seeing something in the bundle of rags and thread that he didn't.
"Good! Okay, you gotta name her now," Kagome instructed, her sumptuous lips pulling up in amusement.
Rin looked started as she went to hand the doll back to the woman.
"Name her?"
"Yeah. Name her. She'll need a good name, you know, especially since she'll be going everywhere with you from now on."
The child's jaw dropped, her sweet face glowing beatifically as she wrapped her chubby arms around Kagome's neck in pure joy.
"Really?" Rin repeated, the excitement in her voice nearly contagious.
Kagome hugged her tightly, rocking the child back and forth slowly as she planted a kiss on the top of the girl's head.
"Promise."
Sesshoumaru frowned, his eyes drinking in the charming scene even as his heart shied away from it. Undoubtedly the woman meant her words, but … Sesshoumaru frowned as he turned his head away from the bliss on Rin's face.
One should never make a promise life won't let them keep.
He wiped the blood away from his lower lip, his nostrils flaring as he willed himself not to cry.
A youkai never cries.
Hadn't his father told him that a million times already?
"Sesshoumaru-sama?" she called, her soft voice seeping into his heart as if it were poison.
"Go away," he growled, angrily dabbing at the tears that welled up against his will in his eyes.
Quietly, she stepped behind the thin bamboo curtain that hid the small alcove from view, only to pause hesitantly as her sad eyes rested on his undernourished form.
"He did it again, didn't he, Sesshou?" the woman whispered even as her hands came to rest upon the young youkai's shoulders.
Sesshoumaru shrugged them off, only to growl as the woman, heedless to his temper, instead encircled her arms around his neck. Ignoring the comforting way he could feel her heart beat against his back, the youkai propelled himself forward out of her arms.
"Sesshou? Please? Let me see?"
He shook his head slowly, his breathing forced and deep as he tried to regain his calm. Instinctively, he raised the back of his hand to wipe away the remnants of the tears that had just begun to overflow the golden wells.
"Sesshou. What did he do?" Her voice was stronger, more commanding as she tugged on his left shoulder. "Sesshou. How can I protect you if you don't let me know what happened?"
"I'm the youkai here, remember? You are only a human," he spat out, hating himself for the weakness he could hear escaping through his words. "How could you possibly protect me?"
She sighed, her aura suddenly weak and helpless as she leaned her head against his back. Without seeming to think about it, she ran her slender fingers through his silver hair, almost as if she were a mother cat grooming her kitten.
"Remember when I first started working here?" she said, her voice nostalgic as she traced her fingers through the long strands.
Intent on ignoring her, Sesshoumaru stared ahead even as his mind replayed that first day so many years before.
"I do," the woman said, a smile in her voice. "I was no more than 12 or so, but I remember it like I was yesterday. I remember seeing my master. And then, I remember seeing my master's beautiful son."
"Beautiful isn't a word you use for a boy," Sesshoumaru growled, only to wince as he realized she had succeeded in drawing him into the memory.
"Oh, but Sesshou. In your case, it was true," the woman chuckled softly as she finally stopped playing with his hair. "I had never seen anyone that beautiful before. And I must admit, I practically fell off my chair the first time you walked into the kitchen looking for that silly squirrel."
He straightened his back as he tried to ignore her words, but the soft lull of her voice was almost too much to resist.
"You did fall off your chair."
The woman laughed as she hugged him tightly from behind. Smiling reluctantly, Sesshoumaru caught her hands and held them close to his heart.
"You DO remember! I knew you would."
"I am youkai. There isn't much I forget."
The woman stood up on the very tips of her toes and kissed the back of his head, only to chuckle ruefully as she nearly tripped.
"I remember when I used to be taller than you. Where on earth has the time gone?"
Sesshoumaru sighed as he turned to face the woman, his heart suddenly clenching as he watched the emotions flicker behind her beautiful eyes. Regret. Pity. Disgust. Concern. Anger.
Uncertainly, she reached a hand up to cup his bruised jaw, only to look repentant as he winced from the gentle touch.
"What was it this time?"
Sesshoumaru shrugged, his golden eyes looking everywhere except for her face.
"Sesshou…"
"Does it really matter?" he grunted, hating the fact that he was near tears once again. Damn woman always had that effect upon him.
"Sesshoumaru!"
"He hates me," he blurted, his lips pulled into a ferocious grimace as his eyes met hers. Trembling now, he wiped the sleeve of his expensive kimono across his face even as he pulled away from her touch.
"Sesshou, you know that isn't true."
"It is and you know it," Sesshoumaru spat, closing his eyes as he willed himself to regain the control his father insisted he so desperately needed.
The woman sat down on the wooden window seat, only to reach her slender arms out affectionately to the boy.
"Come here, Sesshou."
The youkai tossed his head, frowning as he looked at her earnest expression.
When did it happen? He wondered as he kneeled upon the ground and rested his head in her soft lap. No longer trusting himself to speak, Sesshoumaru bit his bottom lip as he felt her hands glide lovingly through his hair.
When did he start thinking of this lowly human as a mother? Forever, it seems. Even when they were both children, she took care of him. Hiding him from not only jealousy of the peasants, but his father's wrath as well. But ten years later, he was still a child and she was a woman grown. It seemed wrong, really. Not only was he technically older than her, but he was a proud youkai. His father would have been the first one, before, to tell him that humans were unworthy of notice.
And now, Inutaisho was wedding one. This one. Stealing the only person he had ever felt comfortable with away from him.
Sesshoumaru wrapped his arms tightly around his stepmother-to-be's waist, only to relax his grip as he felt more than heard her gasp of pain.
When did it all change?
"Why?" he asked suddenly, unable to stop the word as it escaped from his lips.
"Because I love you, Sesshoumaru," the woman answered without hesitation. Her fingers tapped the tip of his nose playfully. "And your father does love you, even if he has the tendency to be too cruel sometimes. But that is only because he doesn't want to see you hurt. And the pup I carry will love you, too."
Soundlessly, he raised his head to stare at the stomach that had just begun to protrude with the fullness of new life. Shyly, he placed his slender, white hand upon the stomach, only to feel the vibrations of the woman's chuckling.
"Yes. Your little brother or sister will love you very much, I think. Especially," she restrained a giggle as she mussed up his hair, only to laugh openly as he quickly smoothed the silver strands down, "if Big Brother Sesshou-chan lets them play with his pets."
"Is my hanyou sibling really in there?" he wondered suddenly, his voice filled with awe.
"No, Sesshou. But your sibling is. Forget about youkai and humans and hanyou, please? For now, let's just be a family?"
He raised his head slowly, allowing her brown eyes to flit over the bruised and battered skin. Ignoring the tears that suddenly filled her eyes, Sesshoumaru spoke again.
"A family?"
The idea was new. Exciting, really. His mother had died so long ago, giving him life, as his father loved to remind him. But this woman, human or not, would be strong where his mother was weak.
She would survive childbirth.
Sesshoumaru would make sure of it.
Flinging his arms around her thin neck, Sesshoumaru nearly toppled the woman over, only to be caught off guard by her merry laughter.
"Yes. A family."
"Promise?" he asked, his heart caught in his throat as he found himself unable to pull himself away from her warm embrace. A family. He would like that.
"Always, Sesshou-chan. Always."
He stood silently, his face ashen as he concentrated on the moment. His breathing, hoarse and almost pained, seemed reluctant to leave his lungs as he watched the woman rock the girl sweetly in her arms, her face absolutely glowing with a maternal pride.
How could such a simple scene be the most mesmerizing sight he had ever witnessed? Sesshoumaru frowned, helpless to take his golden eyes away from her sweet form even when Rin looked up and screamed in joy as she noticed his presence.
He was helpless to turn away from this strange woman even as Rin ran straight into his body, flinging her arms around him happily. Reflexively, he picked the child up, a part of him angry with himself for the affectionate gesture yet the rest of him oblivious to the fact as his golden eyes focused on dark blue ones.
Quietly, hesitantly, Kagome and the kitsune approached him, her eyes meeting his with no apprehension, only confusion.
They were really rather pretty, Sesshoumaru decided as he stared into the woman's heavily fringed depths.
Suddenly, he became completely aware of the frantic pounding of his heart as the corners of the woman's lips turned up into a slight, modest smile.
"Look!" Rin shouted gleefully as she pushed the old doll into his face. "Kagome-chan gave her to me!"
The spell broken, Sesshoumaru gently set the child to her feet as he nodded at the woman with a practiced indifference.
The woman blinked and returned the nod, her cheeks turning an attractive red as she turned her attention down to the two children who stood at her feet.
"Well, it's getting pretty late and all," Kagome started suddenly, her eyes slowly moving up to meet his again. "We should…"
Sesshoumaru frowned as the woman stopped abruptly, her face turning almost a sickly green as her eyes seemed to be glued to his stomach. Curiously, he followed her view down.
Strange. He hadn't even felt the wound reopen.
Silently, she placed her hands upon his blood-soaked kimono, her trembling fingers sending a shock through his body as they applied a gentle pressure even as he could tell she was fighting to keep her calm.
"Shippou-chan, go back to the village and grab the first aid kit for me, please?"
The kitsune nodded, his small form gone from the meadow before Sesshoumaru could blink.
"You just had to refuse the stitches, didn't you?" the woman dared to scold, her eyes flashing as she averted her eyes from the blood.
"Sesshoumaru-sama?" Rin spoke up, the damnable doll gripped tightly in her hands as she looked up at him with an almost tangible fear.
"It's nothing, Rin," he said calmly, glaring at the stupid woman who scared the child with her senseless worrying. Did she think she was dealing with a weak human? A wound such as this had the power to only inconvenience a youkai such as him for a few days maximum.
"He'll be fine, Rin," Kagome grumbled as she pressed a little too hard against the wound. Sesshoumaru growled, covering the grunt that escaped his lips at her rough administrations. "He's too stubborn to be hurt. Or to admit to it."
Not deigning to acknowledge her silly remark with a response, Sesshoumaru glared at the miko, willing the full strength of his personality to intimidate her.
But she seemed oblivious to his displeasure.
"Rin. Gather your things," he said suddenly as he pushed her bloody hands away from his stomach. "It is time we leave."
The child nodded, her eyes downcast as she held the doll to her chest.
"You aren't going anywhere, bub" the woman huffed as she looked squeamishly at the blood covering her hands.
Yes. The brave little lioness cannot stand the sight of blood, Sesshoumaru decided, biting down a raw bit of amusement even as it rumbled in his throat. How odd. How far would she go, he wondered suddenly as he allowed her to replace her hands upon his stomach. How far would she go to do something that she believes is right even though it disgusts her?
Wordlessly, he sat down on the edge of the old well, his face impassive even as she pulled the white silk from his chest.
No. It is possible for her eyes to get even wider, Sesshoumaru admitted with a slight smile as her pupils dilated as she stared at his white, muscular stomach.
She turned away, her hands shaking even as she reapplied the pressure against the soaked bandage. "Rin-chan, do me a favour?"
The little girl cocked her head, considerably less upset by the youkai's wounds than the miko.
"Yes, Kagome-chan?"
"Do pick some flowers for Sesshoumaru-sama, please? Flowers help people who are sick to get better faster, you know."
Rin smiled brightly as she nodded her head. "Really? Oh. Then Rin will pick ALL the flowers then so Sesshoumaru-sama gets better really fast."
Kagome smiled weakly as she watched the child scamper off to pick the meadow clean.
"That really was not necessary," Sesshoumaru spoke up, his voice low as he watched the dread usurp the peaceful expression upon the woman's face. Slowly, she turned an eye towards his wound, only to shudder violently as she realized what mess her fingers were currently playing in. "Unlike most humans, Rin isn't weak and can handle the sight of blood."
"I'm not weak," Kagome insisted as she turned her entire gaze towards his stomach. Sesshoumaru felt a smile playing about his lips as he listened to the way her heart beat faster.
"I'm not. I just prefer that internal organs stay internal."
"Don't spout such nonsense, woman. All my internal organs, as you call them, still reside within …"
The woman groaned as she lowered her head. "Oh, don't even go there. This is not a conversation I want to be having right about now."
"Of course it isn't," the youkai lord said smoothly, waiting for her reaction to his next words. "Considering that the only time I, Sesshoumaru, ever get injured is when you are around, you are probably afflicted, most rightfully so, with guilt."
Incredulously, Kagome just shook her head. "Must you keep repeating your name? Or are you afraid that if you don't, you'll forget it?" The girl grumbled nastily as she looked in the direction of the village. He could almost hear her wishing for the kitsune to return.
"No, indeed, it is my concession towards your inferiority, of course," he continued, trying his damnedest to keep as straight face as he watched hers turn red with either embarrassment or anger.
Either way, it was still amusing. No wonder why his brother kept the wench around.
"My inferiority?" she spoke slowly. Dangerously.
"I applaud you. You are one of the few humans who have the presence of mind to realize your status," he inclined his head graciously towards the girl.
Without a word, the girl stood up, pausing only to wipe her bloody hands along the clean white silk of his ruined kimono.
His eyes narrowed at the rebellious gesture, all amusement gone as she glared down at him.
"You overstep your boundaries, wench," Sesshoumaru growled as he watched her meet his eyes defiantly.
"And you are being a big jerk," the miko sputtered, her heart beating at a chaotic pace. "I'm only trying to help you. But do you appreciate it? No. You are too busy insulting me."
"I don't need your help, human." Sesshoumaru snarled, coming instantly to his feet as he pushed the woman away. His claws extended, he ripped the bandage off his stomach, enjoying the horrified look in Kagome's eyes as the wounds pulled completely open.
Fine. It hurt like hell, but watching her reaction made the pain completely worth it.
Well, mostly.
He ground his teeth as he overrode the instinct to hold his stomach protectively. Perhaps tearing off the bandage wasn't such a brilliant idea.
"Jerk," Kagome muttered as she pulled the old bandage from his hand and pressed it against his stomach. "Really. Men."
"I am not a man," Sesshoumaru stated coldly, curiously uneasy with the impatient words. "I am a youkai. A male youkai. There is a difference."
"Could have fooled me."
He felt his lips turn in disgust as he gazed down at the woman before him. How dare she compare him to a human?
He lowered his head to tell it to her, instinctively cupping her chin in the palm of his hands as he forced her to look up at him.
Sesshoumaru blinked in shock as he stared into the pretty blue eyes, his heart pounding loudly, almost deafeningly, as he recognized the look written in every sweet line of her face.
Concern.
The woman was worried about him.
Silently, he took a labored breath as he tried to think but no words would come to mind. This woman he hardly knew, this little lioness he had tried to kill on numerous occasions was worried. About him.
Why?
Why didn't she fear for her own safety? Sesshoumaru wondered as his golden eyes traced over soft skin and pink lips. Why would she care?
Why would she care what happened to him?
He opened his mouth to demand the answer from her, to know why her blue eyes shimmered and why her black eyebrows knitted together.
It was a misunderstanding. It had to be.
But the look on her face tugged at something deep inside, so far down he couldn't name the emotion if he tried. Unable to restrain himself, he lowered his head and inhaled her sweet scent deep into his lungs. Closing his eyes, he reveled in the beguiling smell, his hand still holding her chin firmly as his fingers seemed to memorize the feel of her skin against his.
What on earth was she doing to him, Sesshoumaru wondered as he looked back into those startled eyes. And further more, why wasn't he angry about it?
"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked hesitantly as he finally noticed her dilated pupils and her quick, shallow breathing. "Are you okay? Maybe you should sit?"
The youkai shook his head, the movement swift and nearly imperceptible.
Kagome closed her eyes for a moment, but almost immediately, took a deep, fortifying breath. Silently, she placed her hands upon his strong shoulders, seemingly content to allow them rest upon them.
Stunned by her boldness, he felt his head turn slowly to stare at the soft, white hands that rested so innocuously upon his person, only to feel his eyebrows rise as the miko suddenly pushed down with so much force that the youkai lord found himself sitting upon the old, moldy wood of the well.
Quietly, Kagome kneeled next to him, her hands busily working away as she attempted to stop the profuse bleeding. Mesmerized by her sudden competency, Sesshoumaru watched her soundlessly as he tried to calm the pounding of his heart.
"Thank you," she blurted out, almost shyly as she fiddled with the thin, white silk. "I didn't get to really say it before, but thank you."
He closed his eyes as he inclined his head graciously towards the woman, unable to watch as the woman continued to bestow her compassion upon him.
"Shippou-chan," Kagome breathed, the tightness that had been evident in her voice suddenly vanished as the young kitsune bounded up.
His eyes flashed open as he frowned, mentally kicking himself for allowing his guard to lapse. Had it been any other youkai, Rin and Kagome could very well be dead now.
"Here, Kagome," the kitsune said as he thrust a white box with a strange, red cross emblazoned on the top into the girl's waiting hands. "I didn't know what you wanted so I brought all of it."
The woman smiled in satisfaction at the kitsune.
"Shippou-chan! Here," Rin ordered as she ambled up, only to force some flowers into the boy's hands. "You need to pick flowers for Sesshoumaru-sama."
"Really," the demon lord muttered dryly, unable to keep from commenting at the boy's horrified face. "It is not necessary."
"Yes, it is," Rin insisted as she pulled the towards the flowers by his sleeve. "Kagome-chan said that the flowers will magically make Sesshoumaru-sama better if we pick them all."
"Rin!" Kagome started, her face red with embarrassment as the child turned to face her, brown eyes wide with innocence.
"Yes, Kagome-chan?"
The woman sighed in resignation as she looked at Rin's blissful face.
"Have fun picking the flowers."
Rin bounced up and down happily as she thanked Kagome prettily, only to destroy her angelic demeanor a moment later by grabbing Shippou by his tail and dragging him towards the field.
"Okay. Fine. I didn't have the heart to correct her. So sue me," the woman muttered as she looked down at the white box. Had she looked up at that moment, perhaps she would have seen the small, almost gentle smile that graced the youkai's lips for a second.
He shook his head slowly as he forced his attention from the woman who tended his ribs so meticulously and back towards the children who argued happily among the brilliantly colored blossom. He raised an eyebrow in amusement as he watched Rin suddenly bop Shippou on the head with the doll, only to run screaming happily in circles as the kitsune began to chase her playfully.
"Good god, they act like they are brother and sister," the woman laughed, the sound short but infinitely sweet. "Children! Geesh! Try not to kill each other too badly over there!" Kagome called out, only to respond with a small flutter of a hand as the kids stopped playing long enough to wave merrily at her.
Sesshoumaru shook his head slowly as he watched the woman as the laughter warmed her cheeks and brightened her pretty eyes.
Yes, he decided as he looked up towards the blue sky. It was a good thing this miko was human. Or else he might be tempted to take her as his mate.
Response to reviews:
Chibi Tenshi: *grin* Don't give me any ideas. *ponders the possibility of a Jaken-chan fanclub* Oh, I can be cruel but maybe not that cruel. :-) You are such a flatterer! But thank you MUCH for it! *bounces around* Hope you enjoyed Chapter 15. :-)
Vernal Equinox: So? What did you think? Huh? Huh? Huh? And I'm glad you think I actually managed to keep poor Sesshou in character. Man, is it getting harder as time goes on. :-) Its hard to make him the romantic sort.
Silverhawk: (Note: not Silverhawk456) ;-) Aw! You don't like Jaken-chan in a dress? I hear he has really nice legs. (Okay, I just managed to get myself sick. :-) Oh, I threw in a couple more muscle moments just for you. Enjoy!
Monmon: Oh, Rin and Shippou arent the only ones to adore our Kagome-chan. If everything pans out right, you'll see more of Jaken in drag in the next chapter. :-)
Steph: I swear to god you crack me up! Yeah. Originally, I was going to do a small salute to Tamysan's Love Potion since it was planned to be Sango who would lead Jaken astray, but I had to restrain myself since Miroku made more sense. :-) And I was hoping to make this entire chapter the end of 14, but... :-) Hope you forgive me!
Stormlight: More Sess-chan? Hmm. Let me see what I can do. :-)
Misao: Thank you so much! *bounces around* I hope you liked this chapter!
Ran-chan Inverse: *GRIN* I'm so glad you caught that. Aw, you are such the best, cutie. Thank you.
Kylara: Well, this chapter was an itty bit longer. ;-) Glad you liked the Rin-Shippou scene. They seem to work pretty well together. Thank you. :-) It means a lot to know that you like the way this is going, even if it is a *gasp* K/S and not K/IY. The idea you are open minded enough to continue reading this fic is extremely cool. Thanks. Oh, and believe it or not, this is not a IY/Kikyou story. :-) At this time, I still don't intend on having her pop in this fic, but she is scheduled to be in a side-story (actually, inspired by you) that I hope you'll like. :-)
MoonAngel: Woo! Thank you! Thank you! *does the snoopy dance for you* Isn't he a fox? :-) Well, in a dog-demony way. :-)
Jaye: Thanks, hon :-) Sorry about taking so long to post! Hope you still like this!
Voldersnort: Are you starting to feel more at ease yet? ;-) And I definitely took your advice and spent a while revising this latest chapter. :-) *waits anxiously to find out your impression of it*
Angry Gen: Feel bad for Jaken? ;-) Never. *grin* Actually, now you've given me a goal. *GRIN* Please let me know if you actually *do* start feeling bad for the old guy.
Winter: Thanks! The Kaede/Sesshoumaru part was actually a lot of fun for me to write, though I was worried that I couldn't pull her off. I'm glad you liked it. As for the dream sequence.. *GRIN* Kagome is a strange girl, isn't she?
Aeryie: Thank you! I'm definitely relieved you liked the dream. I wasn't really sure about adding it, but at the end, I didn't think it was possible *not* to. Hope you like what happens next!
Japriter17: *giggle* Why, thank you! I read your fics and they seemed really sweet. Kikyou's a cool character. Can't wait to see what happens now that Sess has acquired a new slave. *falls to the ground in a faint* Two months? That's okay. Sometimes it takes a while to figure out what you wanna do with a story. But still. Hurry!
Baka deshi: Woo. :-) Thank you vera much! As for stupid Jaken, *GRIN* a smart one wouldn't put a dress on. :-)
Neurofreez: *innocent look* Play a trick on Jaken-chan? Would Miroku do that? *grin* Ah! What love does to a man, eh? :-) Okay, fine. Maybe its not love yet, but give me a few more chapters!
Nizûno Mikomi : Now your reaction is just funny :-) Danke. Hope you liked Chapter 15!
No One: Yes, ma'am! :-) Are things turning out okay?
Archaic Tears: Thank you for the reviews! It's really cool of you to review all those at once. I appreciate it. :-) Oh, yeah. Demonheart, the revised edition, (no new chapter though) should be posted soon. As for Sesshou! Yeah. I've been SUCH a bitch to him, but the way I figure it, he's gotta earn his way to paradise, baby! :-) Thanks!
Woo! It only took 15 chapters, but the ball is FINALLY rolling! *grin* Bet you thought he was gonna kiss her, didn't you? ;-) I'm sooooo mean.