(Our 'heroes' escape, Sess-chan slices and dices and get embarrassing stories told about him by a wise old youkai, plus another romantic Sess/Kag moment. As always, Inuyasha and co belong to Takahashi Rumiko ::bows:: et al.)
Five Days In Tokyo - or - Sesshoumaru's Unlikely Visit - Thirteen
"They're following us!" Kagome kept looking back in the rear view mirror and saw the drab green military truck following them.
"And you were expecting - what?" Sesshoumaru said dryly.
"Oh be quiet!" Kagome snapped at him.
And then the men in the truck started shooting at them!
Jaken ducked for cover - which wasn't hard considering his height anyway.
"Aeeeei! Sesshoumaru-sama, save us!"
Sesshoumaru swore under his breath as he opened the passenger door, his sword drawn. His head still felt horrible, but that would not stop him.
'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Kagome screamed as she tried to keep control of the car, which was going at a good clip.
"Silence, wench!!" Sesshoumaru growled as he leaped from the car and landed on the truck following them. Ruthlessly he sliced at the men shooting at them but not before several bullets had hit the back glass, causing both Kagome and Jaken to shriek. Jaken popped his head out the shattered back window and cried out, "Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama! Kill them all! Yeeeehahahahahahaha!!" The old youkai rattled his staff.
Kagome shuddered and yelled back at Jaken. "Get down, you STUPID baka!"
"Eh! No human tells me what to do! Go, Sesshoumaru-sama!!"
Sesshoumaru crept over to where the terrified driver was, even though he was trying hard to get Sesshoumaru off of the truck. Smiling evily Sesshoumaru yanked off the driver's door and simply grabbed the driver by the throat and broke his neck, finally throwing him out of the way. However, now the truck was without a driver and it started to careen out of control. Kagome looked on in horror, for the road down the mountain was narrow and the truck could spill down the mountain at any moment!
"Sesshoumaru!!! Jump! Hurry!!" Kagome yelled as she tried to keep her eye on the road and Sesshoumaru all at once.
The youkai-lord indeed jumped back to the roof of their car and Kagome saw the truck behind them veer off the road and tumble down off of the mountain side, exploding moments later. Sesshoumaru managed to crawl back into the car by yanking the passenger side door and crawling back inside.
Kagome slowed the car down somewhat since she didn't see anyone behind them but she was still nervous.
"Don't EVER do that again!" Kagome managed to glance over at Sesshoumaru, who looked the worse for wear.
"Don't order me, wench!" Sesshoumaru's face darkened. The wench was lucky that he, Sesshoumaru had even denigned to protect her!
"Oh don't get all huffy - Fluffy!" Kagome could see in the distance, a city. She was pretty sure it was Tokyo.
Sesshoumaru growled. "Don't CALL me that!"
"Want me to kill her, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Jaken offered from his perch in the backseat.
"Shut UP, Jaken!" Kagome snapped. Boy, she really wanted to toss the green midget out of the car!
"Don't tell Jaken to shut up, woman.." Sesshoumaru's look was dark.
"Yes! You can't tell Jaken to shut up!" Jaken crowed.
"SHUT UP, Jaken!" Sesshoumaru glared at the old youkai.
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Jaken clammed up for the time being.
And then without warning, the car inexplicably came to a stop.
"Wha - ?" Kagome frowned as she tried to restart the car.
"What did you do, wench?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"I didn't DO anything!" Kagome tried restarting the car countless times but it was dead. To add to her confusion, even though they were on a downhill slope, the car did not move at all.
"Humph. Human machinery does not equal a youkai's natural skills.." Sesshoumaru got out of the car. "Jaken, come along." The youkai servant did as he was asked.
Kagome grabbed the bag that had her grandfather's things and got out of the car as well.
"It's a long walk to Tokyo." She sighed, looking at Sesshoumaru. "And if you fly, we'll be spotted."
"Do not tell me humans can fly too.." Sesshoumaru sighed.
"Yes, flying machines. I really really doubt that that's the last we'll see of Hadori." Kagome peered about the sky, as if she were expecting to see Hadori's men after them again.
"I hope not. I will rip his entrails out and make him eat them.." Sesshoumaru's gaze was cold.
"Euwwww..there goes my appetite for the next ten years." Kagome made a face.
"Let's go." Sesshoumaru said quite decidely. He wanted to walk now for the grass, trees and fresh crisp air reminded him most of his home. If Hadori were following them, he would take care of him personally. Stupid offspring of a hanyou mutt and a dead woman wanting to rule the world? Not only stupid but insane.
Kagome nodded. Even though they were in danger, the area around her did remind her of her many sojourns with Inuyasha and their friends.
"Eh, this reminds me of old times! Old times!" Jaken cackled as he followed his master, looking for all the world like the world's ugliest hobbit.
Sesshoumaru sighed as he looked at Jaken. Some things never changed..
***
What do you mean they've just vanished?" Hadori frowned as he questioned via communicator one of the men that were following Sesshoumaru, Kagome and Jaken.
"Sir. I can't explain. They were within our sights and the tracking chip that was placed on the man was working perfectly. Evidently they were able to liquidate one of our teams. They exited their car for no reason, walked 5.2 miles and then they simply disappeared."
"People do not vanish!" Hadori ground his teeth in frustration. "Keep looking for them!"
***
Quite suddenly it seemed like they were entering a deep forest, and to Kagome it felt like they were back in the past instead of the present. It was dark here too due to the covering of trees that blocked the skies above.
"Are we lost or what?" Kagome frowned a bit as she tried to keep up with Sesshoumaru. Jaken was trailing behind them doggedly.
Sesshoumaru did not say a word. Of course they were not lost! How could they be lost?
"We're lost, aren't we?" Kagome managed to catch up to the youkai lord.
"No."
"Yes we are." Kagome countered.
"Wench, be quiet."
"We're lost.." Kagome sighed.
Sesshoumaru stopped suddenly as if he sensed something.
"What?" Kagome asked.
"Youkai..I smell - youkai near."
Youkai in the mountains? Well it was possible! They tensed, all except for Jaken, who was huffing and puffing his way towards them. What came out of the brush was an ancient old man who looked to be at least two hundred years old or so by the look of him. He had pointed ears like Sesshoumaru's and stripes upon his face as well. But he was very spindly and looked as if a good breeze would knock him over at any moment. He wore an ancient kimono and sandals upon his long feet, which had fur upon the tops of them signifying that he was a dog-demon.
Sesshoumaru sniffed the air around the old man. Yes, this was a youkai, but somehow he seemed - familar.
"Ah, Fluffy-chan! How you have grown!" The old man grinned happily, ignoring Sesshoumaru's surprised look.
Kagome put a hand to her mouth to try and prevent herself from giggling.
"You don't remember old Sarubo-san?" The old man frowned and then he winked at Kagome. "I dandled this pup upon my knees once! Chewed up my oba necklace when he was teething too, the pup!"
Sesshoumaru actually blushed with embarrassment. Now he recognized the old man. He had once been a friend of his father's and in fact had been a foster parent to Sesshoumaru at the time of his birth. Kagome tried to envision a little Sesshoumaru with that long fluffy tail and suddenly gasped, her eyes shiny.
"Oh how KAWAIII!!! Little chibi Sesshoumaru!" She gave Sesshoumaru a hug as the youkai-lord stood there shocked at her action.
"It - wasn't - CUTE!" Sesshoumaru pried Kagome off of him.
"Aiii, how the ladies doted on you, Sesshou-chan!" Sarubo-san seemed to enjoy ribbing Sesshoumaru. "They said, 'Ah, look at his adorable tail! Look at his adorable hair! Yes, they wanted to carry him everywhere!"
Jaken finally made it to where they were standing and he recognized the withered old man.
"Sarubo-sama? I thought you were dead!" Jaken pointed his decrepit staff at the aged youkai.
"You old toadwart!" Sarubo snorted. "Figures an old fart like you would still be mouldering!"
"Fah!" Jaken shook his stick at him. "If I were younger, you'd take back those words!"
"Ahem." Sesshoumaru interrupted the exchange and looked at Sarubo. "I have not seen you lo these many years, Sarubo-sama. Just how is that you are still living?"
"Always to the point, yes...yes. And who is this pretty young lady?" Sarubo looked at Kagome.
"I'm Higurashi Kagome." Kagome had sobered somewhat. How could she even smile or laugh when her family was dead? She felt very guilty all of a sudden.
"Pretty! Very pretty! You are your father's son, Sesshou-chan. You know how to pick the finest women!" Sarubo winked.
"You did not answer my question, Sarubo." Sesshoumaru felt himself growing impatient. He wasn't about to reply to Sarubo's comment.
"Well now, I do not know anymore. There's so few of us left.." Sarubo said mysteriously. "Come and be my guests. It would be a great honor for you to visit our humble home."
Sesshoumaru quickly made a decision and shrugged, seeing Sarubo as the lesser of two evils compared to what he had found in this future world..
***
Sarubo's home was in a hidden cave, which would have been an archeologist's nightmare or dream depending on their opinion. He had relics from just about every suceeding age in Japan, all the way up to the present. His abode was a hodge-podge of junk but Sarubo enjoyed collecting immensely. Since he had guests he gave them his best cushions to sit on while he crouched on the floor, pouring coffee out of an old Thermos that he had collected at some point in time.
"Coffee?" Sarubo asked.
"Cof - fee?" Sesshoumaru sniffed the brew that Sarubo was making in an odd container.
"Yes! It's good for the nerves, keeps you awake - well not that a young one like you needs it - but it's very good."
"No." Sesshoumaru said. After the Coca Cola incident, Sesshoumaru did not want any more drinks from this time.
"You, young lady?"
"No, thanks.." Kagome was quiet as she again thought of her parents. Jaken was snoring in the corner.
Sarubo sat down in front of the fire with his coffee.
"I know why you're here, Sesshou-chan. Oh, yes I do. I had a dream that foretold your coming and hers."
"Hm.." Sesshoumaru nodded.
"Hm, he says.." Sarubo grinned again at Kagome. "Lucky you are his woman - lighten him up a little."
"I'm - I'm not his - woman!" Kagome sputtered.
"That's certainly true!" Sesshoumaru glared at the old youkai.
"So you both say!" Saburo took another sip of his strong coffee. "But Saburo knows the sparks of attraction when he sees it!"
Sesshoumaru crossed his arms as he looked at Saburo impassively. "So you dreamed of our coming?"
"Hai.." Saburo drained his coffee quickly and poured another cup for himself. "I know that there is that upstart hanyou trying to find Kagome-chan here so that he can go back into the past."
Sesshoumaru's face darkened with anger.
"You do not like him that is plain.." Saburo said. "But I know something of this hanyou. He was born some months after your disappearance."
"My disappearance?" Sesshoumaru said, "Explain."
"You disappeared." Saburo glanced at where Jaken was soundly sleeping. "Jaken went searching for you after you did not return for many days. He had feared that Inuyasha had done you harm."
Sesshoumaru nodded for him to continue.
"But he did not find you and you never returned to the Western Lands." Saburo said sadly.
"What of Rin?" Sesshoumaru asked.
Kagome's ears perked up. Sesshoumaru's little human girl! He sounded so concerned!
"The little human girl? I do not know, Sesshoumaru-sama. She simply vanished just as you did."
Sesshoumaru sighed, feeling a pang in his heart, but his face remained impassive.
"Continue." Sesshoumaru said as he leaned back a little.
"There is little to tell.." Saburo sighed. "Your lands fell into many greedy hands - lesser youkai and hanyous fought over it. Many in the other territories were surprised when Inuyasha did not claim the lands for himself."
"He doesn't deserve them." Sesshoumaru snarled.
"But your father denoted that the both of you - " Saburo saw Sesshoumaru's dark look and skipped that particular sore subject. "At any rate, time passed and the world went by us all, Humans grew and populated the land until now as you have seen they rule the lands of the world. Youkai and hanyous are just hidden nightmares in the darkness."
"Tell me of this Hadori." Sesshoumaru said flatly. "You say he was conceived after my disappearance. He appears to have the features of my bastard half-brother."
"Hm, that would seem impossible for a dead man to help to concieve a child.." Saboru said thoughtfully.
"What are you driving at, old man?" Sesshoumaru did not like guessing games.
"Inuyasha was killed seaching for the miko that stole the Shikon no Tama." Saburo said flatly.
"Was - was he killed by Kikyou?" Kagome asked.
"No I do not believe so. Rumor was that he was absorbed into another hanyou."
Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru wide eyed. "Naraku!"
"You cannot be sure of that, wench." Sesshoumaru said, convinced that this Hadori was Inuyasha's spawn.
"Hadori had a small blue spider embroidered into his kimono!" Kagome felt her pulse racing.
"You make no sense!" Sesshoumaru snapped.
"Can't you see? Naraku always had a spider like mark on him and Naraku could change forms!" Kagome explained. "And he was made up of youkai that dwelled within him. Who is to say that he did not kill Inuyasha and absorb him as well? Then he could have followed Kikyou and impregnated her somehow."
"And yet Hadori is convinced that I am his - uncle." Sesshoumaru's face held a look of disgust.
"Naraku is a liar.." Kagome said. "He would have enjoyed tricking Hadori into believing that Inuyasha was his father. He loves tricking people and causing them pain."
"Listen to your woman there, Sesshou-chan." Saburo smiled congenially. "She's a smart one. "
"She's - not - my - woman." Sesshoumaru said with a growl.
"Well excuse me.." Kagome said disdainfully. Maybe Sesshoumaru really was a horrible person after all. She went outside the cave to be alone and to watch the stars. She needed to think.
****
Kagome ignored the sound of footsteps behind her as she silently watched the stars. She heard Sesshoumaru sit down beside her and for some moments they were silent.
"If what you say is true, then perhap Hadori is lying about your family being dead."
Kagome turned in surprise to the youkai-lord. Was he actually trying to - comfort her?
"Maybe." Kagome sighed, worrying gnawing at her once more.
"We must go back soon." Sesshoumaru looked up at the night sky impassively.
"I know." Kagome said softly. "It was nice - in a weird way.."
"Hm?" Sesshoumaru looked at her puzzled.
"Having you at my house." Kagome smiled. "You're not quite as overbearing as - well, anyway it's been interesting."
"Hai.." Sesshoumaru took in the way her hair blew back from her face. She was a beautiful woman - even for a human. Especially for a human.
~Has my father's curse extended to even I, Sesshoumaru?~ He wondered as he kept gazing at her.
"Nani? What?" Kagome felt him staring at her.
"My half-brother is a baka." Sesshoumaru shook his head.
"Sometimes.." Kagome said impishly.
Wordlessly, he gently traced a clawed finger on the outline of her jawbone, which made Kagome a little nervous. Never had she felt such an intensity of feeling before coming from the youkai-lord. Well, maybe it was when they kissed before, but that was just a one time thing wasn't it?
He drew her close and kissed her again, dispelling that theory alltogether.
~Her lips are so soft, so inviting..a trap that I am defenseless against..~ Sesshoumaru wrapped his arm around Kagome and pulled her close, enjoying the scent of her and the nearness of her. Kagome's arms wrapped around his neck and her fingers were buried in the fluffy tail that as always was wrapped around Sesshoumaru. They stopped kissing and Kagome sighed as she leaned trustingly against his chest. Sesshoumaru looked down at her. What had happened in such a short span of time to where he did not wish to kill this woman but instead want to be with her? He had no ready answers for that. He knew that he could simply kill her in an instant for she was so vulnerable this way, but he didn't want to.
Kagome too had the same conflicting feelings about Sesshoumaru. After all, during this whole time he had vacillitated from wanting to kill her to wanting to kiss her! She felt very safe in his arms right now and she could not help but think about when she had saw him without anything on. He had been so impossibly beautiful and yet so male that it had shocked her so much. She felt her face go hot at the thought of that.
Sesshoumaru however could sense her arousal and it aroused him too. He could if he wanted to, simply take her here under the starry sky as many a youkai had done with it's mate since time immemorial. It'd be a simple thing and then perhaps he wouldn't find himself wrapped up in thoughts of her. But something in him wanted more. He could not define just what it was, but it was something that neither Jaken nor Rin with all her endearing smiles could fill.
A low growl came from his throat at the thought of the way she had looked in her shower, rosy and beautiful in her shock and anger. He could feel the power within her - that of the miko - and he knew that Inuyasha did not appreciate it at all. He did not deserve this one, no not at all.
To think that he was thinking a human woman was worth more than his mutt brother..
"Sesshou..?" Kagome pulled away a little, alarmed at his growl.
"Don't be alarmed..Kagome.." He nuzzled against her hair. He felt her shudder and the flare of arousal he had sensed from her before had turned into a flame. He pulled back, distrustful of his own body's reactions to her.
"We should go inside - before I do something I would NOT regret." Sesshoumaru got up and as he did, he drew Kagome up as well.
"Y - yes.." She nodded, her feelings all jumbled up inside.
Five Days In Tokyo - or - Sesshoumaru's Unlikely Visit - Thirteen
"They're following us!" Kagome kept looking back in the rear view mirror and saw the drab green military truck following them.
"And you were expecting - what?" Sesshoumaru said dryly.
"Oh be quiet!" Kagome snapped at him.
And then the men in the truck started shooting at them!
Jaken ducked for cover - which wasn't hard considering his height anyway.
"Aeeeei! Sesshoumaru-sama, save us!"
Sesshoumaru swore under his breath as he opened the passenger door, his sword drawn. His head still felt horrible, but that would not stop him.
'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Kagome screamed as she tried to keep control of the car, which was going at a good clip.
"Silence, wench!!" Sesshoumaru growled as he leaped from the car and landed on the truck following them. Ruthlessly he sliced at the men shooting at them but not before several bullets had hit the back glass, causing both Kagome and Jaken to shriek. Jaken popped his head out the shattered back window and cried out, "Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama! Kill them all! Yeeeehahahahahahaha!!" The old youkai rattled his staff.
Kagome shuddered and yelled back at Jaken. "Get down, you STUPID baka!"
"Eh! No human tells me what to do! Go, Sesshoumaru-sama!!"
Sesshoumaru crept over to where the terrified driver was, even though he was trying hard to get Sesshoumaru off of the truck. Smiling evily Sesshoumaru yanked off the driver's door and simply grabbed the driver by the throat and broke his neck, finally throwing him out of the way. However, now the truck was without a driver and it started to careen out of control. Kagome looked on in horror, for the road down the mountain was narrow and the truck could spill down the mountain at any moment!
"Sesshoumaru!!! Jump! Hurry!!" Kagome yelled as she tried to keep her eye on the road and Sesshoumaru all at once.
The youkai-lord indeed jumped back to the roof of their car and Kagome saw the truck behind them veer off the road and tumble down off of the mountain side, exploding moments later. Sesshoumaru managed to crawl back into the car by yanking the passenger side door and crawling back inside.
Kagome slowed the car down somewhat since she didn't see anyone behind them but she was still nervous.
"Don't EVER do that again!" Kagome managed to glance over at Sesshoumaru, who looked the worse for wear.
"Don't order me, wench!" Sesshoumaru's face darkened. The wench was lucky that he, Sesshoumaru had even denigned to protect her!
"Oh don't get all huffy - Fluffy!" Kagome could see in the distance, a city. She was pretty sure it was Tokyo.
Sesshoumaru growled. "Don't CALL me that!"
"Want me to kill her, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Jaken offered from his perch in the backseat.
"Shut UP, Jaken!" Kagome snapped. Boy, she really wanted to toss the green midget out of the car!
"Don't tell Jaken to shut up, woman.." Sesshoumaru's look was dark.
"Yes! You can't tell Jaken to shut up!" Jaken crowed.
"SHUT UP, Jaken!" Sesshoumaru glared at the old youkai.
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Jaken clammed up for the time being.
And then without warning, the car inexplicably came to a stop.
"Wha - ?" Kagome frowned as she tried to restart the car.
"What did you do, wench?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"I didn't DO anything!" Kagome tried restarting the car countless times but it was dead. To add to her confusion, even though they were on a downhill slope, the car did not move at all.
"Humph. Human machinery does not equal a youkai's natural skills.." Sesshoumaru got out of the car. "Jaken, come along." The youkai servant did as he was asked.
Kagome grabbed the bag that had her grandfather's things and got out of the car as well.
"It's a long walk to Tokyo." She sighed, looking at Sesshoumaru. "And if you fly, we'll be spotted."
"Do not tell me humans can fly too.." Sesshoumaru sighed.
"Yes, flying machines. I really really doubt that that's the last we'll see of Hadori." Kagome peered about the sky, as if she were expecting to see Hadori's men after them again.
"I hope not. I will rip his entrails out and make him eat them.." Sesshoumaru's gaze was cold.
"Euwwww..there goes my appetite for the next ten years." Kagome made a face.
"Let's go." Sesshoumaru said quite decidely. He wanted to walk now for the grass, trees and fresh crisp air reminded him most of his home. If Hadori were following them, he would take care of him personally. Stupid offspring of a hanyou mutt and a dead woman wanting to rule the world? Not only stupid but insane.
Kagome nodded. Even though they were in danger, the area around her did remind her of her many sojourns with Inuyasha and their friends.
"Eh, this reminds me of old times! Old times!" Jaken cackled as he followed his master, looking for all the world like the world's ugliest hobbit.
Sesshoumaru sighed as he looked at Jaken. Some things never changed..
***
What do you mean they've just vanished?" Hadori frowned as he questioned via communicator one of the men that were following Sesshoumaru, Kagome and Jaken.
"Sir. I can't explain. They were within our sights and the tracking chip that was placed on the man was working perfectly. Evidently they were able to liquidate one of our teams. They exited their car for no reason, walked 5.2 miles and then they simply disappeared."
"People do not vanish!" Hadori ground his teeth in frustration. "Keep looking for them!"
***
Quite suddenly it seemed like they were entering a deep forest, and to Kagome it felt like they were back in the past instead of the present. It was dark here too due to the covering of trees that blocked the skies above.
"Are we lost or what?" Kagome frowned a bit as she tried to keep up with Sesshoumaru. Jaken was trailing behind them doggedly.
Sesshoumaru did not say a word. Of course they were not lost! How could they be lost?
"We're lost, aren't we?" Kagome managed to catch up to the youkai lord.
"No."
"Yes we are." Kagome countered.
"Wench, be quiet."
"We're lost.." Kagome sighed.
Sesshoumaru stopped suddenly as if he sensed something.
"What?" Kagome asked.
"Youkai..I smell - youkai near."
Youkai in the mountains? Well it was possible! They tensed, all except for Jaken, who was huffing and puffing his way towards them. What came out of the brush was an ancient old man who looked to be at least two hundred years old or so by the look of him. He had pointed ears like Sesshoumaru's and stripes upon his face as well. But he was very spindly and looked as if a good breeze would knock him over at any moment. He wore an ancient kimono and sandals upon his long feet, which had fur upon the tops of them signifying that he was a dog-demon.
Sesshoumaru sniffed the air around the old man. Yes, this was a youkai, but somehow he seemed - familar.
"Ah, Fluffy-chan! How you have grown!" The old man grinned happily, ignoring Sesshoumaru's surprised look.
Kagome put a hand to her mouth to try and prevent herself from giggling.
"You don't remember old Sarubo-san?" The old man frowned and then he winked at Kagome. "I dandled this pup upon my knees once! Chewed up my oba necklace when he was teething too, the pup!"
Sesshoumaru actually blushed with embarrassment. Now he recognized the old man. He had once been a friend of his father's and in fact had been a foster parent to Sesshoumaru at the time of his birth. Kagome tried to envision a little Sesshoumaru with that long fluffy tail and suddenly gasped, her eyes shiny.
"Oh how KAWAIII!!! Little chibi Sesshoumaru!" She gave Sesshoumaru a hug as the youkai-lord stood there shocked at her action.
"It - wasn't - CUTE!" Sesshoumaru pried Kagome off of him.
"Aiii, how the ladies doted on you, Sesshou-chan!" Sarubo-san seemed to enjoy ribbing Sesshoumaru. "They said, 'Ah, look at his adorable tail! Look at his adorable hair! Yes, they wanted to carry him everywhere!"
Jaken finally made it to where they were standing and he recognized the withered old man.
"Sarubo-sama? I thought you were dead!" Jaken pointed his decrepit staff at the aged youkai.
"You old toadwart!" Sarubo snorted. "Figures an old fart like you would still be mouldering!"
"Fah!" Jaken shook his stick at him. "If I were younger, you'd take back those words!"
"Ahem." Sesshoumaru interrupted the exchange and looked at Sarubo. "I have not seen you lo these many years, Sarubo-sama. Just how is that you are still living?"
"Always to the point, yes...yes. And who is this pretty young lady?" Sarubo looked at Kagome.
"I'm Higurashi Kagome." Kagome had sobered somewhat. How could she even smile or laugh when her family was dead? She felt very guilty all of a sudden.
"Pretty! Very pretty! You are your father's son, Sesshou-chan. You know how to pick the finest women!" Sarubo winked.
"You did not answer my question, Sarubo." Sesshoumaru felt himself growing impatient. He wasn't about to reply to Sarubo's comment.
"Well now, I do not know anymore. There's so few of us left.." Sarubo said mysteriously. "Come and be my guests. It would be a great honor for you to visit our humble home."
Sesshoumaru quickly made a decision and shrugged, seeing Sarubo as the lesser of two evils compared to what he had found in this future world..
***
Sarubo's home was in a hidden cave, which would have been an archeologist's nightmare or dream depending on their opinion. He had relics from just about every suceeding age in Japan, all the way up to the present. His abode was a hodge-podge of junk but Sarubo enjoyed collecting immensely. Since he had guests he gave them his best cushions to sit on while he crouched on the floor, pouring coffee out of an old Thermos that he had collected at some point in time.
"Coffee?" Sarubo asked.
"Cof - fee?" Sesshoumaru sniffed the brew that Sarubo was making in an odd container.
"Yes! It's good for the nerves, keeps you awake - well not that a young one like you needs it - but it's very good."
"No." Sesshoumaru said. After the Coca Cola incident, Sesshoumaru did not want any more drinks from this time.
"You, young lady?"
"No, thanks.." Kagome was quiet as she again thought of her parents. Jaken was snoring in the corner.
Sarubo sat down in front of the fire with his coffee.
"I know why you're here, Sesshou-chan. Oh, yes I do. I had a dream that foretold your coming and hers."
"Hm.." Sesshoumaru nodded.
"Hm, he says.." Sarubo grinned again at Kagome. "Lucky you are his woman - lighten him up a little."
"I'm - I'm not his - woman!" Kagome sputtered.
"That's certainly true!" Sesshoumaru glared at the old youkai.
"So you both say!" Saburo took another sip of his strong coffee. "But Saburo knows the sparks of attraction when he sees it!"
Sesshoumaru crossed his arms as he looked at Saburo impassively. "So you dreamed of our coming?"
"Hai.." Saburo drained his coffee quickly and poured another cup for himself. "I know that there is that upstart hanyou trying to find Kagome-chan here so that he can go back into the past."
Sesshoumaru's face darkened with anger.
"You do not like him that is plain.." Saburo said. "But I know something of this hanyou. He was born some months after your disappearance."
"My disappearance?" Sesshoumaru said, "Explain."
"You disappeared." Saburo glanced at where Jaken was soundly sleeping. "Jaken went searching for you after you did not return for many days. He had feared that Inuyasha had done you harm."
Sesshoumaru nodded for him to continue.
"But he did not find you and you never returned to the Western Lands." Saburo said sadly.
"What of Rin?" Sesshoumaru asked.
Kagome's ears perked up. Sesshoumaru's little human girl! He sounded so concerned!
"The little human girl? I do not know, Sesshoumaru-sama. She simply vanished just as you did."
Sesshoumaru sighed, feeling a pang in his heart, but his face remained impassive.
"Continue." Sesshoumaru said as he leaned back a little.
"There is little to tell.." Saburo sighed. "Your lands fell into many greedy hands - lesser youkai and hanyous fought over it. Many in the other territories were surprised when Inuyasha did not claim the lands for himself."
"He doesn't deserve them." Sesshoumaru snarled.
"But your father denoted that the both of you - " Saburo saw Sesshoumaru's dark look and skipped that particular sore subject. "At any rate, time passed and the world went by us all, Humans grew and populated the land until now as you have seen they rule the lands of the world. Youkai and hanyous are just hidden nightmares in the darkness."
"Tell me of this Hadori." Sesshoumaru said flatly. "You say he was conceived after my disappearance. He appears to have the features of my bastard half-brother."
"Hm, that would seem impossible for a dead man to help to concieve a child.." Saboru said thoughtfully.
"What are you driving at, old man?" Sesshoumaru did not like guessing games.
"Inuyasha was killed seaching for the miko that stole the Shikon no Tama." Saburo said flatly.
"Was - was he killed by Kikyou?" Kagome asked.
"No I do not believe so. Rumor was that he was absorbed into another hanyou."
Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru wide eyed. "Naraku!"
"You cannot be sure of that, wench." Sesshoumaru said, convinced that this Hadori was Inuyasha's spawn.
"Hadori had a small blue spider embroidered into his kimono!" Kagome felt her pulse racing.
"You make no sense!" Sesshoumaru snapped.
"Can't you see? Naraku always had a spider like mark on him and Naraku could change forms!" Kagome explained. "And he was made up of youkai that dwelled within him. Who is to say that he did not kill Inuyasha and absorb him as well? Then he could have followed Kikyou and impregnated her somehow."
"And yet Hadori is convinced that I am his - uncle." Sesshoumaru's face held a look of disgust.
"Naraku is a liar.." Kagome said. "He would have enjoyed tricking Hadori into believing that Inuyasha was his father. He loves tricking people and causing them pain."
"Listen to your woman there, Sesshou-chan." Saburo smiled congenially. "She's a smart one. "
"She's - not - my - woman." Sesshoumaru said with a growl.
"Well excuse me.." Kagome said disdainfully. Maybe Sesshoumaru really was a horrible person after all. She went outside the cave to be alone and to watch the stars. She needed to think.
****
Kagome ignored the sound of footsteps behind her as she silently watched the stars. She heard Sesshoumaru sit down beside her and for some moments they were silent.
"If what you say is true, then perhap Hadori is lying about your family being dead."
Kagome turned in surprise to the youkai-lord. Was he actually trying to - comfort her?
"Maybe." Kagome sighed, worrying gnawing at her once more.
"We must go back soon." Sesshoumaru looked up at the night sky impassively.
"I know." Kagome said softly. "It was nice - in a weird way.."
"Hm?" Sesshoumaru looked at her puzzled.
"Having you at my house." Kagome smiled. "You're not quite as overbearing as - well, anyway it's been interesting."
"Hai.." Sesshoumaru took in the way her hair blew back from her face. She was a beautiful woman - even for a human. Especially for a human.
~Has my father's curse extended to even I, Sesshoumaru?~ He wondered as he kept gazing at her.
"Nani? What?" Kagome felt him staring at her.
"My half-brother is a baka." Sesshoumaru shook his head.
"Sometimes.." Kagome said impishly.
Wordlessly, he gently traced a clawed finger on the outline of her jawbone, which made Kagome a little nervous. Never had she felt such an intensity of feeling before coming from the youkai-lord. Well, maybe it was when they kissed before, but that was just a one time thing wasn't it?
He drew her close and kissed her again, dispelling that theory alltogether.
~Her lips are so soft, so inviting..a trap that I am defenseless against..~ Sesshoumaru wrapped his arm around Kagome and pulled her close, enjoying the scent of her and the nearness of her. Kagome's arms wrapped around his neck and her fingers were buried in the fluffy tail that as always was wrapped around Sesshoumaru. They stopped kissing and Kagome sighed as she leaned trustingly against his chest. Sesshoumaru looked down at her. What had happened in such a short span of time to where he did not wish to kill this woman but instead want to be with her? He had no ready answers for that. He knew that he could simply kill her in an instant for she was so vulnerable this way, but he didn't want to.
Kagome too had the same conflicting feelings about Sesshoumaru. After all, during this whole time he had vacillitated from wanting to kill her to wanting to kiss her! She felt very safe in his arms right now and she could not help but think about when she had saw him without anything on. He had been so impossibly beautiful and yet so male that it had shocked her so much. She felt her face go hot at the thought of that.
Sesshoumaru however could sense her arousal and it aroused him too. He could if he wanted to, simply take her here under the starry sky as many a youkai had done with it's mate since time immemorial. It'd be a simple thing and then perhaps he wouldn't find himself wrapped up in thoughts of her. But something in him wanted more. He could not define just what it was, but it was something that neither Jaken nor Rin with all her endearing smiles could fill.
A low growl came from his throat at the thought of the way she had looked in her shower, rosy and beautiful in her shock and anger. He could feel the power within her - that of the miko - and he knew that Inuyasha did not appreciate it at all. He did not deserve this one, no not at all.
To think that he was thinking a human woman was worth more than his mutt brother..
"Sesshou..?" Kagome pulled away a little, alarmed at his growl.
"Don't be alarmed..Kagome.." He nuzzled against her hair. He felt her shudder and the flare of arousal he had sensed from her before had turned into a flame. He pulled back, distrustful of his own body's reactions to her.
"We should go inside - before I do something I would NOT regret." Sesshoumaru got up and as he did, he drew Kagome up as well.
"Y - yes.." She nodded, her feelings all jumbled up inside.