Do you know the feeling?
The one that comes right before the rain?
And you know, even without opening your eyes, that it's raining?
The kind of feeling that comes from within and lets you know that…
Something isn't right…
***
"HENTAI!"
"Ah! Sango! I-"
*TWHAP*
"Kagome!! Just cause you didn't bring any ramen Inuyasha called you a bi-"
"SHIPPOU!!"
"Ahh!! I'm gonna diiieeee!! Kagome! Kagome! Save meeee!!"
Kagome smiled from her position against the wall inside the small hut. Yes, everything was- normal.
Well, she reconsidered, as the little kitsune came running towards her for dear life itself with the hanyou dangerously close behind while Sango inched away from Miroku, who was rubbing his bright red cheek as Kirara sat contentedly in the corner curled up in a ball, calmly ignoring the madness- as normal as it gets around here anyway.
"Oswari." The word bore no anger- simply the voice of calm justice. And Shippou dived down into Kagome's warm waiting lap to gloat over his victory. He stuck out his tongue at his defeated foe, Inuyasha, who lay subdued on the floor. Justice had been served the way it was served best. Face first. Satisfied, the kitsune snuggled against the teenage girl, contented with the feel of her warm arms and soft lap surrounding him with her sweet gentle scent.
Kagome looked down at the tiny creature in her lap. Already he was fast asleep. She smiled at him, smoothing back the reddish brown hair. He was so sweet when sleeping it was easy to forget the mischief he always seemed to be getting into. She sat there for a moment- she wasn't sure how long- stroking his hair when she realized the room had fallen silent. She looked around at her companions. Inuyasha, the spell having worn off, was sulking in a corner with his arms crossed, which Kagome guessed would be his position for the rest of the night. Sango was sound asleep on a futon with Kirara- safely away from Miroku, while the monk sat up simply watching her sleep.
Kagome yawned and rolled out her own sleeping bag, being careful not to wake Shippou. She crawled inside, her eyelids growing heavy and Shippou curled up closer to her in his sleep.
Yes, everything was fine tonight.
So why couldn't she get rid of that sick feeling that something was horribly wrong?
***
They were both creatures of darkness.
Hatred had drawn them together and darkness had become their meeting place.
But that which is done in darkness…
Always comes to light.
***
He was not happy.
Although emotion was not visible on his eerily calm face, behind the façade he was deeply irritated. Waiting like this was enough to kill somebody.
Namely the person who kept him waiting.
He scowled inwardly. Her. That woman who had enough audacity to make him wait on her as though he was her servant, a worthless dog who lived only to do her bidding.
He hated her.
Yes, hate was a nice word. One that only began to describe the loath he had towards her. He almost smiled. There were few people in the world that he actually bothered to hate. And she was one of them.
Damn her.
Yes, damn her to hell.
After all, that's where she belonged.
His thoughts were interrupted by that scent. Instinctively, his nose wrinkled in distaste as the smell of death and earth invaded his senses. And hate. He could actually smell the emotion that was her only basis for living.
She sauntered out of the darkness. There was no haste in her manner, nothing that implied even a hint of remorse for daring yet again to keep him waiting. Her feet fell lightly against the ground, scarlet and ivory cloth sashaying with each step. Her servants- the youkai that stole the souls of the dead in order to keep her in this world- were weaving in the air around each other, dancing around her. Graceful and beautiful creatures yet made so hideous by what they did. She stopped, turning cold lifeless eyes on him.
He said nothing.
For moments there was only the sound of the shinidama-chuu slithering through the air.
Then finally he spoke.
"Wench."
Annoyance visibly crossed her delicate features. His arrogance was becoming a pain. One she was becoming tempted, so tempted, to deal with.
"You have had enough time now." His words fell flat, turning question into statement. An order.
It was almost amusing- the idea. Him trying to order her around. Didn't he realize yet? That she took commands from none? It was her way of spiting him- this business of appearing late and asking for more time. A test of his patience. She had thought that he would have at least tried to kill her by now and grow tired of the game. She knew she was pushing him- treading on nothing but air when it came to her dealings with him.
But she wasn't afraid of him.
And he knew it.
And despite all of that he still continued to wait.
You are a strange creature, Sesshoumaru.
"Yes. I have had enough time to finish with my previous dealings." She was done observing him. Yes, this would all play out nicely.
"Then we will meet with her tomorrow." Another command.
"It is as Sesshoumaru wishes." The mock formality was an open, careless insult. She turned to leave- these brief meetings lasted far too long for her liking. The serpents followed, still slithering around her.
"What do you hope to gain from this?"
She could have laughed. Was he actually pretending to be interested in her concerns? She turned to face him. She tilted her head to the side, long dark strands falling as she did. "What is it that you think I want?"
He stared her down, golden eyes studying her intently. "You seem so sure that I will assist you in killing him." His lips curled upward in the faintest of sneers. "After all…he is my blood."
"And I'm sure that the mighty lord would not want such a sin hanging over his head." She turned away, half of her face only visible to him, the other half shrouded in darkness. "But by now one would think that spilling your own brother's blood would be considered the least of your crimes."
"You take much for granted, miko. But," he turned his back on her, "it is none of my concern. As long as I get what I want there is little else that matters." And he left, a cloud of shimmering silver disappearing into the dark.
Sesshoumaru. You are the one that takes so much for granted. Especially when-
"…you know so little," she whispered into the night.
After tomorrow, she would have no more real use of him.
No. By then she would have everything that she needed.
***
Do you know the feeling?
The one that comes before the rain?
***
And elsewhere, Kagome moaned and tossed in her sleep.
***
hentai: pervert
hanyou: half-demon
kitsune: fox
oswari: sit
youkai: demon
shinidama-chuu: Kikyo's soul-gathering youkai
miko: priestess
Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all of its characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. Not me.
^_~ But you knew all of that already.
To my reviewers: *blows kissez to them all* Thank you all so much!! Hopefully this story won't be too predictable and good enough to stay interesting. ^_~
lynxlady: You are right- she was smiling too much. In this chapter hopefully they're both more in character. ^_^ Thank you for all of your reviews- it really means a lot!
This chapter was pretty non-eventful -_-;; Don't particularly like this one- will try to get the next one out soon. ^_^
R&R - Amethyst