~RPG-girl:
NOTE: This idea for this chapter hit me in the head like a brick. And it hurt.
I GOT THE CHAPTER FINISHED SOONER THAN I THOUGHT! I decided to make it chapter '12' instead. That note on the last chapter can be chapter 11.
--------------------------------- ANOTHER NOTE: There are many twists and turns in this chapter. Sorry it's poor quality, I was up all night for the whole week retyping this, so some parts of it might not be sane... not to mention this is my first attempt at fluff. So please don't rub it in.
--------------------------------- EXTRA IMPORTANT NOTE:
About the subduing spells:: I've decided that whenever Kagome says the subduing spells, they will only work if she wants them to work INTENTIONALLY.
EXAMPLE ONLY:
Sesshoumaru, Kagome, Naraku and an unknown guest were talking.
"Why don't you sit down?" Kagome said cheerfully to her guest.
(small note: when she says 'sit' and 'down,' she doesn't INTENTIONALLY mean for Sesshoumaru and Naraku to be pulled to the ground. So they don't get pulled to the ground)
END EXAMPLE:
Long story short, the subduing words only work when Kagome wants them to.
------------------------------------- ~ SMALL WARNING: I think this chapter didn't turn out so good.
Read on... -------------------------------------
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Chapter XII: Strange Emotional Swings
~
Two days have gone by since the defeat of Murasaki. Kagome and Sango stood before the shrine, both ready to bid farewells. The moon and stars were evident that night, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.
"Well, I'd better get going," Sango bowed lowly, now dressed in a kimono. "Thank you once again for saving my village people."
"You're welcome, Sango. But are you sure you can travel with that wound?" Kagome asked, apparently worried. "And plus, why do you want to travel at night? Can't you wait till morning or something?"
"It's no problem. I've had wounds worse than these before," the demon exterminator replied, smiling sweetly. "Besides, I have Kirara with me to travel. So you don't have to worry. To your second question, I just want to see everyone from my village as soon as I can."
"And she shall also have me, to stay by her side and protect her till death do us part," Miroku added, unexpectedly appearing out of practically nowhere.
Sango noticeably sighed. "He's coming, too."
"Miroku's going with you?" Kagome blurted frantically. "Wow, that's unexpected. I can't believe it, you two just met two days ago and you're already eloping?! Sugoi, I guess love at first sight really exists!"
"We are NOT eloping!!" Sango exclaimed, pink tints visible on her cheeks. "I've tried to get rid of him, but he's just too persistent."
"But there is a chance we might fall in love," Miroku declared dramatically, placing an arm around Sango's shoulder. Before Sango could brush it away, Kagome spoke up.
"My mistake," Kagome grinned sheepishly. "One last favor?"
"Sure," Sango and Miroku answered in monotone.
FLASH.
"Ahh, Kagome-sama, what did you do?" Miroku stumbled clumsily, his eyes swirled up. "So...so many colors!!"
"Yes, I would also like to know what kind of miko magic that was," Sango added, her own eyes slightly fazed over.
"I just took a picture of you guys," Kagome said innocently, showing them the camera. The photo printed out of her camera, revealing Sango in Miroku's arm. "Sugoi, sugoi! The picture looks wonderful!"
Sango swapped the photo from Kagome's hands, a bewildered look on her face. "AAH! W-What is this?!"
Miroku, his hand on his chin with a pensive look on his face, crept up from behind the exterminator and studied the photo. "It is a drawing of you in my arms.. I shall treasure it always," Miroku smiled goofily, taking the picture from Sango and holding it close to his heart. "Well, I guess I'll wait for you with Kirara over there."
Miroku left the two females to themselves. Sango looked uncertain about something. Almost shyly, she turned to Kagome. "Kagome-san, I was wondering if... if it is not too much trouble, I-""
"Here you go," Kagome printed another picture of the couple and handed it to the now very flustered and blushing Sango and winked. "When we meet again, you two'd better be at least engaged or something." 'Poor girl's so unaware of the love they share... hey, that rhymed,' Kagome mused.
"Thank you... -for the picture, I mean," Sango rushed. "See you again soon, then?"
"Definitely," Kagome nodded and bowed courteously.
Sango smiled and bowed in return. "Goodbye."
"Bye.." Kagome waved as Miroku and Sango left, riding on Kirara. She sighed dreamily and clasped her hands together. "Ah, I love happy endings... And plus, we got so many shards, too!" she added, grasping the single piece of shard that had formed out of many others.
~
"Okaa-san?" a childish voice called to her.
"Rin!" Kagome all of a sudden recalled the child and turned around to see Rin on the steps of the Shrine, casting a worried look around her surroundings. "Where is Sesshoumaru-sama? He's still not here yet.."
'Sesshoumaru... he's been in that forest for two days, now... What could he be doing in there?' "Don't worry, Rin, Sesshoumaru-sama'll be back soon."
"Hai.." the young ningen sadly plopped down onto the steps. "Rin hasn't seen Sesshoumaru-sama for what felt like a month.. Rin misses Sesshoumaru- sama."
"Rin-chan," Kagome walked towards Rin and sat down next to her. "I'm not sure it might help, but here." Smiling, the young miko handed Rin a picture of Sesshoumaru up in a tree, looking at something other than the camera.
He himself stood out perfectly from the black surroundings, because of his almost glowing silver-white hair and clothes. "I took this picture when he wasn't looking."
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin cheered gleefully, hugging the picture to her. "Arigatou, Okaa-san!"
"You're welcome," Kagome smiled directly to and for Rin.
"Rin still misses Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin admitted, her sad doe-brown eyes downcasting. "Rin can't help but feel worried for Sesshoumaru-sama."
"He can take care of himself. After all, he is the great powerful Sesshoumaru-sama, right?"
Rin nodded meekly, giving Kagome the feeling that what she said didn't really cheer the child up.
'Gee, who am I kidding? Two days are long enough! I'm going to go get him now!' Kagome made up her mind and stood up, fully planning to go see Sesshoumaru. "Rin-chan, it's nighttime. Go to sleep, I promise Sesshoumaru- sama will be back in the morning when you wake up, okay?"
"Hai!" Rin smiled, eager on seeing her beloved Sesshoumaru-sama again. The big grin still obvious on her face, she ran inside the Shrine.
~
Kagome sent a fleeting look up at the starry sky, wondering what Sesshoumaru had been doing in those springs for these past two days. 'I hope he's not still upset with that whole Murasaki ordeal..' Kagome thought as she started to walk into the dark forest, through the path they had walked through when they were trying to find Murasaki.
The woods appeared darker and darker with each step she took, but gradually, as before, specks of light also known as Pyreflies grazed the air. She took in a breath of air and noticed how drastically the aura of it changed since Murasaki was no longer occupying these lands. It was then that she reached it; the spring.
The large full moon and stars just added to its beauty, blanketing the whole forest/spring in a dim surreal glow. There he was, Sesshoumaru, standing knee-deep in the water, looking even more impossibly graceful than ever. His back was turned to her, and he seemed deep in thought. He also didn't seem to care that his red and white kimono was soaked in water. His hair was wet, also.
'Did he go swimming or something?' Kagome mused.
Kagome noticed the armor he usually wore over his kimono was set onto the grass a few long meters away from the unreal sparkling spring.
"Se... Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked unsurely. "You've been gone for two days, and..."
Sesshoumaru didn't even move at the sound of her voice or at her presence. He just kept his back turned to her, looking straight ahead into space.
Kagome took careful steps towards the Taiyoukai, and walked into the water herself.
Her eyes widened in surprise when she realized the water felt unusually strange, the same feeling as when she was passing through the bone-eater's well; real, yet not real at the same time.
She realized she was now standing about five feet away from Sesshoumaru, but his back was still turned to her. Deciding to leave him to his thoughts for a while, Kagome walked past Sesshoumaru, also walking deeper into the water at the same time.
When the water reached her waist, she began to float on the water on her back, gazing straight up at the large white-silvery moon that reminded her of Sesshoumaru. Pyreflies drifted smoothly around her.
"What are you doing?" Sesshoumaru asked finally, though not at all moving a muscle.
Kagome shut her eyes, feeling tranquil on the water. "Just... relaxing. The water feels nice."
Sesshoumaru said nothing more and stared up at the sky, just as Kagome was doing. "He was the only person I'd ever looked up to."
The young Miko opened one eye to look at Sesshoumaru. "...Your father, right?"
Sesshoumaru nodded curtly, his golden eyes still on the moon. "I even looked up to him even though he is no longer alive... but now that I have found out what he is truly like, it feels as if..." Sesshoumaru continued after a lengthy pause, "That... I have no one. As if I am alone." For the first time Kagome has ever seen, Sesshoumaru's eyes downcasted.
She immediately was on her feet again and was now standing face to face with Sesshoumaru, about five feet of space between them. "What do you mean, as if you're alone? And how do you truly know that he was as Murasaki describes him?"
Sesshoumaru didn't answer for a few seconds, instead a grave look on his face. Finally, he spoke up, though in a low manner. "What does it matter?" he said in an even more emotionless voice than usual. Sparing Kagome an unnecessary glare, the youkai turned to leave. Kagome opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.
Frustrated, she captured his arm to stop him. He could have easily pulled his arm away from his grasp, but he allowed their position to remain. He looked down at the girl, an annoyed expression clearly on his face. "What?" he hissed.
"Sesshoumaru..." Kagome started, her tone of voice serious, "I just wanted to say..." she trailed off, thinking of what to say.
"What?" Sesshoumaru repeated, just itching to get out of that forest, to get away from HER. She was causing strange feelings to stir inside him, yet he did not know just what. But one thing was for sure.
He didn't like it.
"Just what do you mean when you say, as if you are alone?" the miko leveled eye contact with the youkai lord. "What about Inuyasha, your brother?"
"I don't think so," Sesshoumaru said flatly, pulling his arm out of her grip. His irritation for her increased when she spoke again.
"What about Rin?"
"She is simply something that I have to look after," Sesshoumaru turned once again to leave, except this time Kagome took his right hand in her two smaller hands. "Wait, Sesshoumaru!"
The youkai lord slowly turned around, sending her the iciest glare he had ever given anyone.
"Now what?" he said in a calm, deadly voice.
"You're not alone.. just look for the people around you who care for you. Like me, for instance!" Kagome replied, not at all affected by neither his icy glare nor his tone of voice. "I promise I'll always be with you. So you're not alone. Or is it that I'm not you're equal or something?" Kagome's expression hardened.
Sesshoumaru just stared down at the miko, stunned.
After a few moments, he finally regained posture and pulled his hand away.
"Why do you care?"
Kagome stared up at Sesshoumaru, unable to say anything.
Smirking with bitter satisfactory that he had finally gotten her to shut up, he turned around and headed to another place where he can seek isolation and be alone.
Just as he was about to walk out of the water, a small voice stopped him. The small voice somehow dissipated his anger and bitterness, replacing it with some strange new... emotion?
~
Kagome stared at Sesshoumaru's retreating back and turned around so she was facing the opposite of Sesshoumaru. 'He's so afraid to open up to people..' She unconsciously grasped the Shikon shard around her neck. 'Can't blame him for that, though... he probably had an unhappy childhood or something..'
"Because you're a very dear friend of mine, whether you like it or not," she whispered to herself, not at all expecting him to hear what she was saying. "Sesshoumaru no baka... you think you're the only person in the universe..."
"Oh really?" a voice said directly about a foot behind her.
Kagome gasped and turn around, only to stumble backwards, almost falling into the water when she noticed Sesshoumaru was at a dangerously close distance. He looked down at her, wearing an expression that was neither cold, aggravated, nor amused.
It was an expression she had never seen before on his face. He was smiling.
Why?
This of course, took Kagome aback. Literally. She clumsily fell backwards, but was saved when a striped hand snaked around her wrist and balanced her back up on her feet. Now he had that amused look on his face again. "Clumsy, aren't we?"
"Feh! You caught me off guard," Kagome retorted.
Her eyes strayed to her wrist, which Sesshoumaru's hand was still holding. She felt that strange warmth growing up on her face again.
'ACK! Kagome, you idiot!!! DON'TBLUSHDON'TBLUSHDON'TBLUSH!!!! ' she mentally beat herself up.
Sesshoumaru chuckled inwardly at the sight, Kagome's cheeks were growing from light pink to a rosy red. He let go of her wrist and cast a gentle look towards her.
~
Kagome frowned. "Okay, there is DEFINITELY something wrong with you. You're not acting like your usual self. Are you sick?" Kagome asked seriously, "Just how long have you been in this water-" she was silenced as Sesshoumaru took her wrist and walked deeper into the pyrefly-lit spring.
He stopped at one point where there was a crevice in the water. He turned to her, a suspicion-arousing creepy grin on his face. Kagome could have sworn she felt electricity from that grin- maybe it was just her imagination.
"Hey, what exactly are you planning?"
Sesshoumaru stayed quiet, but his grip on her wrist tightened--and then the taiyoukai dove into the deep water, pulling Kagome down with him.
Kagome held her breath in time and glared at Sesshoumaru for diving without telling her. Sesshoumaru was swimming further down into the deep spring, having not noticed her glare.
Despite her trying to hold her breath, Kagome noticed how more beautiful the spring looked inside, the pyreflies were glowing around them.
She was also aware of the effect the glowing pyreflies were having on Sesshoumaru - they made his hair seem brighter and more radiant than ever, and his golden eyes shined out perfectly. And how they illuminated his handsome features greatly...
'WHAT THE HECK AM I THINKING?!' Kagome covered her face with her free hand, feeling the heat starting to grow again.
"Are you holding your breath?" Sesshoumaru asked, still swimming downwards. Kagome thanked the gods above that he didn't turn his head to look at her and kept swimming down.
Kagome gave him a meek 'mmhmm', unaware that she was starting to turn pale from being airless. Sesshoumaru stopped and swam around to face her completely.
His silver hair floated around him, so much that it seemed to pool around him and Kagome. "Breath."
Kagome shook her head. 'I know what he's trying to do... he's trying to make me drown! The nerve of that guy...'
"Look, I'm breathing, why can't you?"
'He can't fool me... he's a youkai... he can probably do things like breath underwater all the time,' Kagome seriously wanted to get out of the water, for she was starting to feel dizzy.
Sesshoumaru just smirked and waited.
Out of breath, Kagome had nothing else to do but breath. Hesitantly, she sucked in a small breath and was surprised when no water came in. "Wha...what is this? But we're thirty feet under water!"
"The water is just as surreal as the pyreflies themselves," Sesshoumaru answered. "And why do you look so pale?" he asked innocently.
"You didn't have to pull me, you know," Kagome huffed, "You scared me half to death when you did that. And besides, I can swim by myself, thank you very much!"
"It is amusing to intimidate you," Sesshoumaru smirked.
"Oh really?! That's NOT funny, SESSHOUMARU, so stop smiling like that!"
"Why? Am I making you feel uncomfortable?" he asked.
"Maybe we should head back," Kagome said nervously. 'Why's he acting so weird?!' "You're beginning to freak me out..."
"I am?" he asked in an innocent tone of voice again. "I'm sorry."
Kagome tried to swim past Sesshoumaru but he blocked the way. "Uhh, could you... get out of the way please?"
"No," he answered in false indifference. "I'd rather not."
'Don't panic... don't panic... it's only a taiyoukai who'd lost his sanity temporarily. I can deal with this.. I can deal with a youkai who easily melted a demoness's head off her shoulders... and I can deal with a youkai who can rip demons in half...' fluster was quickly replaced by fear.
'Just because he's acting strange doesn't mean he'll attack me or anything.' Overcome with overacting paranoid thoughts, Kagome's face drained of all the blood it had left.
"You're paler than before... and I can smell fear on you," Sesshoumaru closed in, analyzing the expression on her face curiously at another dangerous distance. "What are you so afraid of?"
Kagome shook her head, trying to break herself out of her daze. "Sesshoumaru...!"
Hastily, she swam the opposite direction, but he appeared infront of her again. Kagome avoided eye contact. "Why are you acting this way? A-A few minutes ago you were all mad at me.."
"Was I?" he asked thoughtfully. "Oh, yes, I see. Sorry for that, too."
Sesshoumaru suddenly disappeared from infront of her and appeared from behind her. His clawed hands were pressed down on her shoulders. She felt his breath on her neck, but no actual physical contact was made. "Kagome... you smell... nice," he said in what sounded a bit huskily. His hands started to travel downwards to her...ahem... waist...
That was the last straw.
Kagome pulled away from Sesshoumaru's grasp, flushing a very furious red. "What do you think you're doing? Are you okay, Sesshoumaru?! Seriously, did Murasaki do this to you?!"
Sesshoumaru just stared at Kagome's reddening face, a shocked expression on his face. Shocked. Another emotion. He just stared at her for a few moments and started to chuckle. "Cute."
'CUTE? SESSHOUMARU DOES NOT SAY 'CUTE.' This defies all laws of science!! I'll believe anything now. If Miroku suddenly turned gay, I wouldn't be surprised. If Sango kissed Miroku for groping her, I wouldn't be surprised. If Kaede suddenly turned into an old woman who says 'ye' a lot, I wouldn't be surprised.' Kagome suddenly felt dazed again.
Sesshoumaru's expression turned into worry. "Kagome? Are you all right? You appear exceedingly pale now."
Without another word, he gathered her into his arms and started swimming towards the surface.
~
'Why do I feel like this?' Sesshoumaru mused to himself angrily. 'I am aware of all the sentimental words and expressions I am saying... but... WHY AM I SAYING THEM?'
He looked down at the pale spaced out miko in his arms.
~
Kagome's attention snapped back to earth when she saw Sesshoumaru's concerned eyes staring down at her.
They were on the land again, but Sesshoumaru was still carrying her, bridal style. She coughed with discomfort. "Err, Sesshoumaru, could you put me down?"
The taiyoukai lord nodded and set her down.
Kagome paused for a second, stepped forward, and lightly reached up and touched his forehead to see if he had a fever. Suddenly realizing what she was doing, she pulled her hand back, embarrassed. 'I'm such an idiot... like youkai can really get sick...'
Before she could fully withdraw her hand, Sesshoumaru grabbed it with his own. Kagome bit her lip and looked up at the demon lord, a timid look on her face. He was looking down at her with eyes that were tinted with what looked like gentleness. Also... confusion?
Just as abrupt and sudden as his other actions, he unexpectedly and swiftly pulled her off her feet and into his arms, hugging her tightly to him like a child hugging a teddy bear.
Kagome felt her heartbeat increase as she listened to Sesshoumaru's slow steady breathing against her neck. Slowly, she wrapped her own arms around his middle unsurely.
They stood like that for a while, both feeling a bit uneasy for some reason.
~
'Is this what 'comfort' feels like...? It's pleasant,' Sesshoumaru admitted inside his head. 'To embrace the same person I had tried to kill at first glance... the same person who put these wretched prayer beads... and also the same person who'd I thought was a childish irritable ningen,' Sesshoumaru mused, 'Is bringing comfort to me for the first time in my life.'
Being around a certain human was all it took. Sesshoumaru's eyes snapped open in realization as his prideful self resurfaced, thus eliminating his sentimental expression.
Human. A human.
Suddenly realizing what he was doing, he pushed her off, causing her to land onto the ground.
~
Kagome tumbled backwards and lost her footing, (having tripped on a root) instigating her to fall onto her rear rather painfully.
She looked up at Sesshoumaru, who had a very intense glare that somewhat frightened Kagome. She flinched and looked down to avert eye contact..
Trying to keep her voice as casual as possible, she spoke. "Why are you acting so strange, Sesshoumaru?"
"That action that happened just now," he said coldly, as always, "Is meaningless. So do not make a fuss about it. I was merely testing out human emotions, showing you how weak and vulnerable they can make a human," Sesshoumaru reprimanded, lying.
Kagome bit her lip. 'So it was all a test? His emotions that looked so real are all fake? Stupid me... I can't believe I actually believed he had emotions.' Warm tears brimmed her eyes.
~
Sesshoumaru smelled faint traces of tears on her face.
"Are you shedding tears?" Sesshoumaru asked, well-hidden panic starting to form inside him. "Stop it. Weeping is another action caused by emotions."
Kagome felt anger boil inside him.
"O-ho, you just expect me to stop when you want me to?!" Kagome said shakily, tilting her head up to look him in the eye. "You heartless jerk, you were toying with me! I'm willing to bet anything you enjoy seeing people like this!"
Kagome stood up, trying her best to look tall and stoic as she can and marched in front of Sesshoumaru. "You think humans are weak?! We have to endure twice as much pain as you youkais'll ever get in your lifetimes!" Kagome exclaimed, still glaring into his face, which still had no emotion written on it.
No remorse, anger, just impassiveness.
Frustrated, Kagome stepped closer and put her left hand over his kimono, grasping the damp clothing in a knuckle-white grip. She started pounding on his chest with her right hand inanely as if trying to knock some sense into him as she began to speak again. "I actually thought you had emotions! Can you believe how much of a baka I am?! You, of all people-"
Sesshoumaru's pale striped hands snaked around each of her own hands. "Stop it."
Kagome wriggled in his strict hold.
Now frustrated himself, Sesshoumaru pulled her into another bear hug to stop her fussing. "I did not mean to actually hurt your... feelings," Sesshoumaru said quietly, his eyes closed in the embrace. "...Forgive me.."
~
Kagome's eyes snapped wide open in surprise. 'That apology is the truest one he gave me so far..' her pale face started to redden. 'Then that means that this hug's a sincere one?!'
~
True, this did some damage to his pride, but who gave a damn about pride right now? Feeling her relax, Sesshoumaru slowly withdrew from the hug.
A warm hand placed over his cool one. "It's okay..." Kagome smiled up at him, after having wiped off her tears. "Thank you."
"..." Sesshoumaru said nothing as usual.
'Well, at least he's back to normal... I think...'
~
"Well, let's get back to the Shrine. Rin's really worried about you and we're soaking wet."
"I am not able to go into that shrine of yours," Sesshoumaru stated nonchalantly.
"I know. Kiochi-san told me, and I persuaded her into breaking that barrier that wards you off. Of course, it still wards other demons off.."
"I see," Sesshoumaru commented.
"Ah, Sesshoumaru!" Kagome gasped, looking up at the sky. "A shooting star! Make a wish, make a wish!!" she said in her usual bubbly self.
"I'd rather decline from that offer."
"Pft, your loss!" Kagome took out her camera and flashed it at the star, after making her wish.
Sesshoumaru frowned. "Do you take that camera everywhere with you?"
"Duh! This baby's a waterproof camera," Kagome hugged her 'camera' lovingly. "Mom and the others would LOVE these pictures!"
Sesshoumaru half-smiled, quite stupefied at the fact that Kagome can change from angry to cheerful in a blink of an eye, without having to cool down. She continued to interest him and arouse his curiosity with every action she makes.
Kagome surprised him even more when she suddenly took his hand. "Let's get going, shall we?"
Sesshoumaru nodded after concealing his grin before she could look.
The two of them started to walk back to the shrine, hand in hand.
~
Naraku waited impatiently for the two other shard hunters at the entrance of the forest, on the very brink of insanity. 'What the hell could those two be doing in there?'
Kaede, who was walking back to the shrine from archery practice, noticed Naraku pacing intolerantly back and forth at the entrance of the forest. She smiled wryly, knowing exactly why he looked so edgy and walked casually on her way, whistling.
~
Kagome and Sesshoumaru walked out of the forest, their hands still joined. Kagome noticed Naraku standing there, staring with narrowed eyes.
"Oh, hi, Naraku! What are you doing here at this t.." Kagome stopped when she realized Naraku wasn't paying any attention to her. No.. he was glaring at... Sesshoumaru?
She looked up at Sesshoumaru and found a smirk on his face, directed towards Naraku.
A smug look on his features, Naraku turned and left them.
Kagome could've sworn she saw something in his eyes before he left... it looked like.
Jealousy. It can't be. It was probably just her imagination playing tricks on her again.
----End chapter Twelve
Authoress's Opinion: This chapter was a little bit crazy... I found so many flaws, but I was too lazy, tired, and sleepy to sort them out and change them. Sesshoumaru was having emotional swings. Now THAT is weird. And I don't know why I made Sesshoumaru swim down underwater, pulling Kagome down with him. It seemed pointless. But I typed it anyway, for some reason.
And it's weird how I sensed angst in this chapter also. Maybe it's just me. This chapter isn't as interesting as the other one I typed down, which disappeared magically from my computer. Either that, or someone deleted it.
But before you say anything, let ME say that there was a reason for Sesshoumaru's show of emotions and out of character-ness. In fact, I'll tell you now! Nah... I'll tell you in the next chapter. Clue... it had something to do with the spring.
~
Like I said before, this is my first attempt at fluff. And in this so- called fluff, Fluffy goes insane and totally out of character. Yeah. ^_^ I'm not good at these kinds of fluff things.. my main expertise is action/adventure... maybe a little bit of humor.
Okay, done babbling. More review responses for all...
~
Dragonruler212: That happens to me a lot, too. I hate it when computers freeze! But it only happens to me when I've been on the net of too long, (which is almost everyday) and I have so many programs currently running. It's okay that you reviewed the wrong chapter. Thank you for reviewing!
Evil Bunny: Miroku dancing around a room sort of scared me ... but, I left it in that chapter anyway. And the reason I said you readers were only getting his clothes and not everything else is because I didn't want to be too cruel to Sesshoumaru-sama. -_-;
Suki: Flattered! Thank you, but I don't think this is the greatest story ever... there're so many flaws and not so much details... heck, I'm my own biggest criticizer. But I'm still happy you think so!
^.^: It's Sess/Kag fluff, but I'm not so sure if it's any fluffy at all. I don't really know what to say as to your question about where I am in my storyline. Sorry, and thank you for reviewing again!
Duke-of-Spades: Your reviews are so amusing to read! I like Fushigi Yugi, too. Especially Hotohori-sama. Poor Sesshoumaru... and Fushigi Yugi guys... And I think I already killed Murasaki off in the last chapter. Here's the next chapter. TTFN!
ayanna24, Sakura, Brunhilde, and Isa: Thank you, all of you! Here's the update, I don't know what else to put down... gomen! But thank you, once again!
lilyflower: Poor Sesshoumaru... ^_^;
Aira: Thank you!
Kayrin: I always thought of amber as a sort of dark, dark almost red shade of yellow-orange. It's actually gold color? My mistake. It'd be weird picturing Naraku with golden eyes! Maybe I should just say 'crimson' instead. :P Thank you for pointing that out!
Sunstar: Yes, Shippo's coming in. But not for a while... but he's still coming in! I have big plans for this story, big BIG plans. TYFR! (Thank you for reviewing)
Yuko: Well, here it is..!
Suki: Hope you didn't have to wait too long!
White Moon Universe Guard: I'm glad you think so. Here's the rewrite!
Kokonutsu: I know the 'strange behavior and different scent' bit has been used an awful amount of times, but I am clear to say that isn't the only reason Sesshoumaru is attracted to her. The scent and different behavior is only at the beginning, but later Sesshoumaru will realize that that's not the only thing to judge about a person. And I'm aware of making sure the story isn't based too much on only two main characters. I mean, sure it seems like the whole thing seems to focus around Sesshoumaru and Kagome, but I'm just trying to get him warmed up to her. You have great advice to give to a first-time writer like me. I loved your ideas of how this story can go. Thank you!
fluffy+kagome=kawaii: ...Cute name! ^_^ Well, here's the next chapter. Thank you!
Marie: Yes, that WAS a mistake. Someone pointed that out already, but thank you!
FireDevil-IceAngel: I'm not good at writing fluff. Eh, thank you for the compliment, though! ^__^
Romm: Yes, the file grew digital legs, but it didn't just crawl into a dusty corner, it moved to China, and that's too far away for me to track down. I'm flattered that you like my story! ;]
BradsBrat: I'm glad you think so. Uh, next time, could you review on the latest chapter instead of some other chapter? I would really appreciate it! Thank you!
TeaRstrEak: Cool name! Here's some more, and thank you!
~
RPG-girl:
The responses weren't as long as before. Whoops. Remember, please don't criticize this chapter too harshly. This is my first time writing a fic, REMEMBER?!
Sesshoumaru: Sucks to be you.
Bleh! Is that what I get for saving your butt last chapter? Baka Sesshoumaru..
Err, review and I shall update when I finish the next chapter, which will be revolving around a hanyou and Kagome.
Sayonara!
NOTE: This idea for this chapter hit me in the head like a brick. And it hurt.
I GOT THE CHAPTER FINISHED SOONER THAN I THOUGHT! I decided to make it chapter '12' instead. That note on the last chapter can be chapter 11.
--------------------------------- ANOTHER NOTE: There are many twists and turns in this chapter. Sorry it's poor quality, I was up all night for the whole week retyping this, so some parts of it might not be sane... not to mention this is my first attempt at fluff. So please don't rub it in.
--------------------------------- EXTRA IMPORTANT NOTE:
About the subduing spells:: I've decided that whenever Kagome says the subduing spells, they will only work if she wants them to work INTENTIONALLY.
EXAMPLE ONLY:
Sesshoumaru, Kagome, Naraku and an unknown guest were talking.
"Why don't you sit down?" Kagome said cheerfully to her guest.
(small note: when she says 'sit' and 'down,' she doesn't INTENTIONALLY mean for Sesshoumaru and Naraku to be pulled to the ground. So they don't get pulled to the ground)
END EXAMPLE:
Long story short, the subduing words only work when Kagome wants them to.
------------------------------------- ~ SMALL WARNING: I think this chapter didn't turn out so good.
Read on... -------------------------------------
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Chapter XII: Strange Emotional Swings
~
Two days have gone by since the defeat of Murasaki. Kagome and Sango stood before the shrine, both ready to bid farewells. The moon and stars were evident that night, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.
"Well, I'd better get going," Sango bowed lowly, now dressed in a kimono. "Thank you once again for saving my village people."
"You're welcome, Sango. But are you sure you can travel with that wound?" Kagome asked, apparently worried. "And plus, why do you want to travel at night? Can't you wait till morning or something?"
"It's no problem. I've had wounds worse than these before," the demon exterminator replied, smiling sweetly. "Besides, I have Kirara with me to travel. So you don't have to worry. To your second question, I just want to see everyone from my village as soon as I can."
"And she shall also have me, to stay by her side and protect her till death do us part," Miroku added, unexpectedly appearing out of practically nowhere.
Sango noticeably sighed. "He's coming, too."
"Miroku's going with you?" Kagome blurted frantically. "Wow, that's unexpected. I can't believe it, you two just met two days ago and you're already eloping?! Sugoi, I guess love at first sight really exists!"
"We are NOT eloping!!" Sango exclaimed, pink tints visible on her cheeks. "I've tried to get rid of him, but he's just too persistent."
"But there is a chance we might fall in love," Miroku declared dramatically, placing an arm around Sango's shoulder. Before Sango could brush it away, Kagome spoke up.
"My mistake," Kagome grinned sheepishly. "One last favor?"
"Sure," Sango and Miroku answered in monotone.
FLASH.
"Ahh, Kagome-sama, what did you do?" Miroku stumbled clumsily, his eyes swirled up. "So...so many colors!!"
"Yes, I would also like to know what kind of miko magic that was," Sango added, her own eyes slightly fazed over.
"I just took a picture of you guys," Kagome said innocently, showing them the camera. The photo printed out of her camera, revealing Sango in Miroku's arm. "Sugoi, sugoi! The picture looks wonderful!"
Sango swapped the photo from Kagome's hands, a bewildered look on her face. "AAH! W-What is this?!"
Miroku, his hand on his chin with a pensive look on his face, crept up from behind the exterminator and studied the photo. "It is a drawing of you in my arms.. I shall treasure it always," Miroku smiled goofily, taking the picture from Sango and holding it close to his heart. "Well, I guess I'll wait for you with Kirara over there."
Miroku left the two females to themselves. Sango looked uncertain about something. Almost shyly, she turned to Kagome. "Kagome-san, I was wondering if... if it is not too much trouble, I-""
"Here you go," Kagome printed another picture of the couple and handed it to the now very flustered and blushing Sango and winked. "When we meet again, you two'd better be at least engaged or something." 'Poor girl's so unaware of the love they share... hey, that rhymed,' Kagome mused.
"Thank you... -for the picture, I mean," Sango rushed. "See you again soon, then?"
"Definitely," Kagome nodded and bowed courteously.
Sango smiled and bowed in return. "Goodbye."
"Bye.." Kagome waved as Miroku and Sango left, riding on Kirara. She sighed dreamily and clasped her hands together. "Ah, I love happy endings... And plus, we got so many shards, too!" she added, grasping the single piece of shard that had formed out of many others.
~
"Okaa-san?" a childish voice called to her.
"Rin!" Kagome all of a sudden recalled the child and turned around to see Rin on the steps of the Shrine, casting a worried look around her surroundings. "Where is Sesshoumaru-sama? He's still not here yet.."
'Sesshoumaru... he's been in that forest for two days, now... What could he be doing in there?' "Don't worry, Rin, Sesshoumaru-sama'll be back soon."
"Hai.." the young ningen sadly plopped down onto the steps. "Rin hasn't seen Sesshoumaru-sama for what felt like a month.. Rin misses Sesshoumaru- sama."
"Rin-chan," Kagome walked towards Rin and sat down next to her. "I'm not sure it might help, but here." Smiling, the young miko handed Rin a picture of Sesshoumaru up in a tree, looking at something other than the camera.
He himself stood out perfectly from the black surroundings, because of his almost glowing silver-white hair and clothes. "I took this picture when he wasn't looking."
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin cheered gleefully, hugging the picture to her. "Arigatou, Okaa-san!"
"You're welcome," Kagome smiled directly to and for Rin.
"Rin still misses Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin admitted, her sad doe-brown eyes downcasting. "Rin can't help but feel worried for Sesshoumaru-sama."
"He can take care of himself. After all, he is the great powerful Sesshoumaru-sama, right?"
Rin nodded meekly, giving Kagome the feeling that what she said didn't really cheer the child up.
'Gee, who am I kidding? Two days are long enough! I'm going to go get him now!' Kagome made up her mind and stood up, fully planning to go see Sesshoumaru. "Rin-chan, it's nighttime. Go to sleep, I promise Sesshoumaru- sama will be back in the morning when you wake up, okay?"
"Hai!" Rin smiled, eager on seeing her beloved Sesshoumaru-sama again. The big grin still obvious on her face, she ran inside the Shrine.
~
Kagome sent a fleeting look up at the starry sky, wondering what Sesshoumaru had been doing in those springs for these past two days. 'I hope he's not still upset with that whole Murasaki ordeal..' Kagome thought as she started to walk into the dark forest, through the path they had walked through when they were trying to find Murasaki.
The woods appeared darker and darker with each step she took, but gradually, as before, specks of light also known as Pyreflies grazed the air. She took in a breath of air and noticed how drastically the aura of it changed since Murasaki was no longer occupying these lands. It was then that she reached it; the spring.
The large full moon and stars just added to its beauty, blanketing the whole forest/spring in a dim surreal glow. There he was, Sesshoumaru, standing knee-deep in the water, looking even more impossibly graceful than ever. His back was turned to her, and he seemed deep in thought. He also didn't seem to care that his red and white kimono was soaked in water. His hair was wet, also.
'Did he go swimming or something?' Kagome mused.
Kagome noticed the armor he usually wore over his kimono was set onto the grass a few long meters away from the unreal sparkling spring.
"Se... Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked unsurely. "You've been gone for two days, and..."
Sesshoumaru didn't even move at the sound of her voice or at her presence. He just kept his back turned to her, looking straight ahead into space.
Kagome took careful steps towards the Taiyoukai, and walked into the water herself.
Her eyes widened in surprise when she realized the water felt unusually strange, the same feeling as when she was passing through the bone-eater's well; real, yet not real at the same time.
She realized she was now standing about five feet away from Sesshoumaru, but his back was still turned to her. Deciding to leave him to his thoughts for a while, Kagome walked past Sesshoumaru, also walking deeper into the water at the same time.
When the water reached her waist, she began to float on the water on her back, gazing straight up at the large white-silvery moon that reminded her of Sesshoumaru. Pyreflies drifted smoothly around her.
"What are you doing?" Sesshoumaru asked finally, though not at all moving a muscle.
Kagome shut her eyes, feeling tranquil on the water. "Just... relaxing. The water feels nice."
Sesshoumaru said nothing more and stared up at the sky, just as Kagome was doing. "He was the only person I'd ever looked up to."
The young Miko opened one eye to look at Sesshoumaru. "...Your father, right?"
Sesshoumaru nodded curtly, his golden eyes still on the moon. "I even looked up to him even though he is no longer alive... but now that I have found out what he is truly like, it feels as if..." Sesshoumaru continued after a lengthy pause, "That... I have no one. As if I am alone." For the first time Kagome has ever seen, Sesshoumaru's eyes downcasted.
She immediately was on her feet again and was now standing face to face with Sesshoumaru, about five feet of space between them. "What do you mean, as if you're alone? And how do you truly know that he was as Murasaki describes him?"
Sesshoumaru didn't answer for a few seconds, instead a grave look on his face. Finally, he spoke up, though in a low manner. "What does it matter?" he said in an even more emotionless voice than usual. Sparing Kagome an unnecessary glare, the youkai turned to leave. Kagome opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.
Frustrated, she captured his arm to stop him. He could have easily pulled his arm away from his grasp, but he allowed their position to remain. He looked down at the girl, an annoyed expression clearly on his face. "What?" he hissed.
"Sesshoumaru..." Kagome started, her tone of voice serious, "I just wanted to say..." she trailed off, thinking of what to say.
"What?" Sesshoumaru repeated, just itching to get out of that forest, to get away from HER. She was causing strange feelings to stir inside him, yet he did not know just what. But one thing was for sure.
He didn't like it.
"Just what do you mean when you say, as if you are alone?" the miko leveled eye contact with the youkai lord. "What about Inuyasha, your brother?"
"I don't think so," Sesshoumaru said flatly, pulling his arm out of her grip. His irritation for her increased when she spoke again.
"What about Rin?"
"She is simply something that I have to look after," Sesshoumaru turned once again to leave, except this time Kagome took his right hand in her two smaller hands. "Wait, Sesshoumaru!"
The youkai lord slowly turned around, sending her the iciest glare he had ever given anyone.
"Now what?" he said in a calm, deadly voice.
"You're not alone.. just look for the people around you who care for you. Like me, for instance!" Kagome replied, not at all affected by neither his icy glare nor his tone of voice. "I promise I'll always be with you. So you're not alone. Or is it that I'm not you're equal or something?" Kagome's expression hardened.
Sesshoumaru just stared down at the miko, stunned.
After a few moments, he finally regained posture and pulled his hand away.
"Why do you care?"
Kagome stared up at Sesshoumaru, unable to say anything.
Smirking with bitter satisfactory that he had finally gotten her to shut up, he turned around and headed to another place where he can seek isolation and be alone.
Just as he was about to walk out of the water, a small voice stopped him. The small voice somehow dissipated his anger and bitterness, replacing it with some strange new... emotion?
~
Kagome stared at Sesshoumaru's retreating back and turned around so she was facing the opposite of Sesshoumaru. 'He's so afraid to open up to people..' She unconsciously grasped the Shikon shard around her neck. 'Can't blame him for that, though... he probably had an unhappy childhood or something..'
"Because you're a very dear friend of mine, whether you like it or not," she whispered to herself, not at all expecting him to hear what she was saying. "Sesshoumaru no baka... you think you're the only person in the universe..."
"Oh really?" a voice said directly about a foot behind her.
Kagome gasped and turn around, only to stumble backwards, almost falling into the water when she noticed Sesshoumaru was at a dangerously close distance. He looked down at her, wearing an expression that was neither cold, aggravated, nor amused.
It was an expression she had never seen before on his face. He was smiling.
Why?
This of course, took Kagome aback. Literally. She clumsily fell backwards, but was saved when a striped hand snaked around her wrist and balanced her back up on her feet. Now he had that amused look on his face again. "Clumsy, aren't we?"
"Feh! You caught me off guard," Kagome retorted.
Her eyes strayed to her wrist, which Sesshoumaru's hand was still holding. She felt that strange warmth growing up on her face again.
'ACK! Kagome, you idiot!!! DON'TBLUSHDON'TBLUSHDON'TBLUSH!!!! ' she mentally beat herself up.
Sesshoumaru chuckled inwardly at the sight, Kagome's cheeks were growing from light pink to a rosy red. He let go of her wrist and cast a gentle look towards her.
~
Kagome frowned. "Okay, there is DEFINITELY something wrong with you. You're not acting like your usual self. Are you sick?" Kagome asked seriously, "Just how long have you been in this water-" she was silenced as Sesshoumaru took her wrist and walked deeper into the pyrefly-lit spring.
He stopped at one point where there was a crevice in the water. He turned to her, a suspicion-arousing creepy grin on his face. Kagome could have sworn she felt electricity from that grin- maybe it was just her imagination.
"Hey, what exactly are you planning?"
Sesshoumaru stayed quiet, but his grip on her wrist tightened--and then the taiyoukai dove into the deep water, pulling Kagome down with him.
Kagome held her breath in time and glared at Sesshoumaru for diving without telling her. Sesshoumaru was swimming further down into the deep spring, having not noticed her glare.
Despite her trying to hold her breath, Kagome noticed how more beautiful the spring looked inside, the pyreflies were glowing around them.
She was also aware of the effect the glowing pyreflies were having on Sesshoumaru - they made his hair seem brighter and more radiant than ever, and his golden eyes shined out perfectly. And how they illuminated his handsome features greatly...
'WHAT THE HECK AM I THINKING?!' Kagome covered her face with her free hand, feeling the heat starting to grow again.
"Are you holding your breath?" Sesshoumaru asked, still swimming downwards. Kagome thanked the gods above that he didn't turn his head to look at her and kept swimming down.
Kagome gave him a meek 'mmhmm', unaware that she was starting to turn pale from being airless. Sesshoumaru stopped and swam around to face her completely.
His silver hair floated around him, so much that it seemed to pool around him and Kagome. "Breath."
Kagome shook her head. 'I know what he's trying to do... he's trying to make me drown! The nerve of that guy...'
"Look, I'm breathing, why can't you?"
'He can't fool me... he's a youkai... he can probably do things like breath underwater all the time,' Kagome seriously wanted to get out of the water, for she was starting to feel dizzy.
Sesshoumaru just smirked and waited.
Out of breath, Kagome had nothing else to do but breath. Hesitantly, she sucked in a small breath and was surprised when no water came in. "Wha...what is this? But we're thirty feet under water!"
"The water is just as surreal as the pyreflies themselves," Sesshoumaru answered. "And why do you look so pale?" he asked innocently.
"You didn't have to pull me, you know," Kagome huffed, "You scared me half to death when you did that. And besides, I can swim by myself, thank you very much!"
"It is amusing to intimidate you," Sesshoumaru smirked.
"Oh really?! That's NOT funny, SESSHOUMARU, so stop smiling like that!"
"Why? Am I making you feel uncomfortable?" he asked.
"Maybe we should head back," Kagome said nervously. 'Why's he acting so weird?!' "You're beginning to freak me out..."
"I am?" he asked in an innocent tone of voice again. "I'm sorry."
Kagome tried to swim past Sesshoumaru but he blocked the way. "Uhh, could you... get out of the way please?"
"No," he answered in false indifference. "I'd rather not."
'Don't panic... don't panic... it's only a taiyoukai who'd lost his sanity temporarily. I can deal with this.. I can deal with a youkai who easily melted a demoness's head off her shoulders... and I can deal with a youkai who can rip demons in half...' fluster was quickly replaced by fear.
'Just because he's acting strange doesn't mean he'll attack me or anything.' Overcome with overacting paranoid thoughts, Kagome's face drained of all the blood it had left.
"You're paler than before... and I can smell fear on you," Sesshoumaru closed in, analyzing the expression on her face curiously at another dangerous distance. "What are you so afraid of?"
Kagome shook her head, trying to break herself out of her daze. "Sesshoumaru...!"
Hastily, she swam the opposite direction, but he appeared infront of her again. Kagome avoided eye contact. "Why are you acting this way? A-A few minutes ago you were all mad at me.."
"Was I?" he asked thoughtfully. "Oh, yes, I see. Sorry for that, too."
Sesshoumaru suddenly disappeared from infront of her and appeared from behind her. His clawed hands were pressed down on her shoulders. She felt his breath on her neck, but no actual physical contact was made. "Kagome... you smell... nice," he said in what sounded a bit huskily. His hands started to travel downwards to her...ahem... waist...
That was the last straw.
Kagome pulled away from Sesshoumaru's grasp, flushing a very furious red. "What do you think you're doing? Are you okay, Sesshoumaru?! Seriously, did Murasaki do this to you?!"
Sesshoumaru just stared at Kagome's reddening face, a shocked expression on his face. Shocked. Another emotion. He just stared at her for a few moments and started to chuckle. "Cute."
'CUTE? SESSHOUMARU DOES NOT SAY 'CUTE.' This defies all laws of science!! I'll believe anything now. If Miroku suddenly turned gay, I wouldn't be surprised. If Sango kissed Miroku for groping her, I wouldn't be surprised. If Kaede suddenly turned into an old woman who says 'ye' a lot, I wouldn't be surprised.' Kagome suddenly felt dazed again.
Sesshoumaru's expression turned into worry. "Kagome? Are you all right? You appear exceedingly pale now."
Without another word, he gathered her into his arms and started swimming towards the surface.
~
'Why do I feel like this?' Sesshoumaru mused to himself angrily. 'I am aware of all the sentimental words and expressions I am saying... but... WHY AM I SAYING THEM?'
He looked down at the pale spaced out miko in his arms.
~
Kagome's attention snapped back to earth when she saw Sesshoumaru's concerned eyes staring down at her.
They were on the land again, but Sesshoumaru was still carrying her, bridal style. She coughed with discomfort. "Err, Sesshoumaru, could you put me down?"
The taiyoukai lord nodded and set her down.
Kagome paused for a second, stepped forward, and lightly reached up and touched his forehead to see if he had a fever. Suddenly realizing what she was doing, she pulled her hand back, embarrassed. 'I'm such an idiot... like youkai can really get sick...'
Before she could fully withdraw her hand, Sesshoumaru grabbed it with his own. Kagome bit her lip and looked up at the demon lord, a timid look on her face. He was looking down at her with eyes that were tinted with what looked like gentleness. Also... confusion?
Just as abrupt and sudden as his other actions, he unexpectedly and swiftly pulled her off her feet and into his arms, hugging her tightly to him like a child hugging a teddy bear.
Kagome felt her heartbeat increase as she listened to Sesshoumaru's slow steady breathing against her neck. Slowly, she wrapped her own arms around his middle unsurely.
They stood like that for a while, both feeling a bit uneasy for some reason.
~
'Is this what 'comfort' feels like...? It's pleasant,' Sesshoumaru admitted inside his head. 'To embrace the same person I had tried to kill at first glance... the same person who put these wretched prayer beads... and also the same person who'd I thought was a childish irritable ningen,' Sesshoumaru mused, 'Is bringing comfort to me for the first time in my life.'
Being around a certain human was all it took. Sesshoumaru's eyes snapped open in realization as his prideful self resurfaced, thus eliminating his sentimental expression.
Human. A human.
Suddenly realizing what he was doing, he pushed her off, causing her to land onto the ground.
~
Kagome tumbled backwards and lost her footing, (having tripped on a root) instigating her to fall onto her rear rather painfully.
She looked up at Sesshoumaru, who had a very intense glare that somewhat frightened Kagome. She flinched and looked down to avert eye contact..
Trying to keep her voice as casual as possible, she spoke. "Why are you acting so strange, Sesshoumaru?"
"That action that happened just now," he said coldly, as always, "Is meaningless. So do not make a fuss about it. I was merely testing out human emotions, showing you how weak and vulnerable they can make a human," Sesshoumaru reprimanded, lying.
Kagome bit her lip. 'So it was all a test? His emotions that looked so real are all fake? Stupid me... I can't believe I actually believed he had emotions.' Warm tears brimmed her eyes.
~
Sesshoumaru smelled faint traces of tears on her face.
"Are you shedding tears?" Sesshoumaru asked, well-hidden panic starting to form inside him. "Stop it. Weeping is another action caused by emotions."
Kagome felt anger boil inside him.
"O-ho, you just expect me to stop when you want me to?!" Kagome said shakily, tilting her head up to look him in the eye. "You heartless jerk, you were toying with me! I'm willing to bet anything you enjoy seeing people like this!"
Kagome stood up, trying her best to look tall and stoic as she can and marched in front of Sesshoumaru. "You think humans are weak?! We have to endure twice as much pain as you youkais'll ever get in your lifetimes!" Kagome exclaimed, still glaring into his face, which still had no emotion written on it.
No remorse, anger, just impassiveness.
Frustrated, Kagome stepped closer and put her left hand over his kimono, grasping the damp clothing in a knuckle-white grip. She started pounding on his chest with her right hand inanely as if trying to knock some sense into him as she began to speak again. "I actually thought you had emotions! Can you believe how much of a baka I am?! You, of all people-"
Sesshoumaru's pale striped hands snaked around each of her own hands. "Stop it."
Kagome wriggled in his strict hold.
Now frustrated himself, Sesshoumaru pulled her into another bear hug to stop her fussing. "I did not mean to actually hurt your... feelings," Sesshoumaru said quietly, his eyes closed in the embrace. "...Forgive me.."
~
Kagome's eyes snapped wide open in surprise. 'That apology is the truest one he gave me so far..' her pale face started to redden. 'Then that means that this hug's a sincere one?!'
~
True, this did some damage to his pride, but who gave a damn about pride right now? Feeling her relax, Sesshoumaru slowly withdrew from the hug.
A warm hand placed over his cool one. "It's okay..." Kagome smiled up at him, after having wiped off her tears. "Thank you."
"..." Sesshoumaru said nothing as usual.
'Well, at least he's back to normal... I think...'
~
"Well, let's get back to the Shrine. Rin's really worried about you and we're soaking wet."
"I am not able to go into that shrine of yours," Sesshoumaru stated nonchalantly.
"I know. Kiochi-san told me, and I persuaded her into breaking that barrier that wards you off. Of course, it still wards other demons off.."
"I see," Sesshoumaru commented.
"Ah, Sesshoumaru!" Kagome gasped, looking up at the sky. "A shooting star! Make a wish, make a wish!!" she said in her usual bubbly self.
"I'd rather decline from that offer."
"Pft, your loss!" Kagome took out her camera and flashed it at the star, after making her wish.
Sesshoumaru frowned. "Do you take that camera everywhere with you?"
"Duh! This baby's a waterproof camera," Kagome hugged her 'camera' lovingly. "Mom and the others would LOVE these pictures!"
Sesshoumaru half-smiled, quite stupefied at the fact that Kagome can change from angry to cheerful in a blink of an eye, without having to cool down. She continued to interest him and arouse his curiosity with every action she makes.
Kagome surprised him even more when she suddenly took his hand. "Let's get going, shall we?"
Sesshoumaru nodded after concealing his grin before she could look.
The two of them started to walk back to the shrine, hand in hand.
~
Naraku waited impatiently for the two other shard hunters at the entrance of the forest, on the very brink of insanity. 'What the hell could those two be doing in there?'
Kaede, who was walking back to the shrine from archery practice, noticed Naraku pacing intolerantly back and forth at the entrance of the forest. She smiled wryly, knowing exactly why he looked so edgy and walked casually on her way, whistling.
~
Kagome and Sesshoumaru walked out of the forest, their hands still joined. Kagome noticed Naraku standing there, staring with narrowed eyes.
"Oh, hi, Naraku! What are you doing here at this t.." Kagome stopped when she realized Naraku wasn't paying any attention to her. No.. he was glaring at... Sesshoumaru?
She looked up at Sesshoumaru and found a smirk on his face, directed towards Naraku.
A smug look on his features, Naraku turned and left them.
Kagome could've sworn she saw something in his eyes before he left... it looked like.
Jealousy. It can't be. It was probably just her imagination playing tricks on her again.
----End chapter Twelve
Authoress's Opinion: This chapter was a little bit crazy... I found so many flaws, but I was too lazy, tired, and sleepy to sort them out and change them. Sesshoumaru was having emotional swings. Now THAT is weird. And I don't know why I made Sesshoumaru swim down underwater, pulling Kagome down with him. It seemed pointless. But I typed it anyway, for some reason.
And it's weird how I sensed angst in this chapter also. Maybe it's just me. This chapter isn't as interesting as the other one I typed down, which disappeared magically from my computer. Either that, or someone deleted it.
But before you say anything, let ME say that there was a reason for Sesshoumaru's show of emotions and out of character-ness. In fact, I'll tell you now! Nah... I'll tell you in the next chapter. Clue... it had something to do with the spring.
~
Like I said before, this is my first attempt at fluff. And in this so- called fluff, Fluffy goes insane and totally out of character. Yeah. ^_^ I'm not good at these kinds of fluff things.. my main expertise is action/adventure... maybe a little bit of humor.
Okay, done babbling. More review responses for all...
~
Dragonruler212: That happens to me a lot, too. I hate it when computers freeze! But it only happens to me when I've been on the net of too long, (which is almost everyday) and I have so many programs currently running. It's okay that you reviewed the wrong chapter. Thank you for reviewing!
Evil Bunny: Miroku dancing around a room sort of scared me ... but, I left it in that chapter anyway. And the reason I said you readers were only getting his clothes and not everything else is because I didn't want to be too cruel to Sesshoumaru-sama. -_-;
Suki: Flattered! Thank you, but I don't think this is the greatest story ever... there're so many flaws and not so much details... heck, I'm my own biggest criticizer. But I'm still happy you think so!
^.^: It's Sess/Kag fluff, but I'm not so sure if it's any fluffy at all. I don't really know what to say as to your question about where I am in my storyline. Sorry, and thank you for reviewing again!
Duke-of-Spades: Your reviews are so amusing to read! I like Fushigi Yugi, too. Especially Hotohori-sama. Poor Sesshoumaru... and Fushigi Yugi guys... And I think I already killed Murasaki off in the last chapter. Here's the next chapter. TTFN!
ayanna24, Sakura, Brunhilde, and Isa: Thank you, all of you! Here's the update, I don't know what else to put down... gomen! But thank you, once again!
lilyflower: Poor Sesshoumaru... ^_^;
Aira: Thank you!
Kayrin: I always thought of amber as a sort of dark, dark almost red shade of yellow-orange. It's actually gold color? My mistake. It'd be weird picturing Naraku with golden eyes! Maybe I should just say 'crimson' instead. :P Thank you for pointing that out!
Sunstar: Yes, Shippo's coming in. But not for a while... but he's still coming in! I have big plans for this story, big BIG plans. TYFR! (Thank you for reviewing)
Yuko: Well, here it is..!
Suki: Hope you didn't have to wait too long!
White Moon Universe Guard: I'm glad you think so. Here's the rewrite!
Kokonutsu: I know the 'strange behavior and different scent' bit has been used an awful amount of times, but I am clear to say that isn't the only reason Sesshoumaru is attracted to her. The scent and different behavior is only at the beginning, but later Sesshoumaru will realize that that's not the only thing to judge about a person. And I'm aware of making sure the story isn't based too much on only two main characters. I mean, sure it seems like the whole thing seems to focus around Sesshoumaru and Kagome, but I'm just trying to get him warmed up to her. You have great advice to give to a first-time writer like me. I loved your ideas of how this story can go. Thank you!
fluffy+kagome=kawaii: ...Cute name! ^_^ Well, here's the next chapter. Thank you!
Marie: Yes, that WAS a mistake. Someone pointed that out already, but thank you!
FireDevil-IceAngel: I'm not good at writing fluff. Eh, thank you for the compliment, though! ^__^
Romm: Yes, the file grew digital legs, but it didn't just crawl into a dusty corner, it moved to China, and that's too far away for me to track down. I'm flattered that you like my story! ;]
BradsBrat: I'm glad you think so. Uh, next time, could you review on the latest chapter instead of some other chapter? I would really appreciate it! Thank you!
TeaRstrEak: Cool name! Here's some more, and thank you!
~
RPG-girl:
The responses weren't as long as before. Whoops. Remember, please don't criticize this chapter too harshly. This is my first time writing a fic, REMEMBER?!
Sesshoumaru: Sucks to be you.
Bleh! Is that what I get for saving your butt last chapter? Baka Sesshoumaru..
Err, review and I shall update when I finish the next chapter, which will be revolving around a hanyou and Kagome.
Sayonara!