Author's Note: Welcome to the new year! I know that I've been lazy and a horrible person because I haven't updated. But now, no more waiting, the next chapter!
Disclaimer: Don't own anything…
Chapter EightSesshoumaru walked to where Kagome lay and his chest constricted for a brief moment when he noticed she wasn't moving. But he relaxed when he heard her breathing and found a pulse. He picked her up effortlessly and flew towards his mansion.
Kagome's Dream Sequence
"Hello?" Kagome called out to the surrounding darkness.
There was nothing; only emptiness that greeted her back.
"Where am I?" she asked, to no one in particular.
Then, there was a mysterious flash that breezed across the darkness and Kagome caught bits of conversation.
"…decided to be wed…"
"...wish to be…"
The bits and pieces of conversation that Kagome picked up made no sense.
"…no one…"
Kagome saw two figures standing among the trees of a forest. Their faces were hidden to her but she could make out that one was a man and the other was a woman. She saw them share a tender moment before someone else came and interjected. It was another figure and Kagome only heard bits of their conversation.
"…mine…" the newly arrived figure seemed to be saying.
"…never…" the feminine woman said.
Kagome tired to piece together what they were saying but she didn't have much to go on. Then, the male who had been standing in back of the female stepped forward, and as he did, Kagome got a good look at his face. Realizing who it was, Kagome gasped.
"Sesshoumaru?!" Kagome gasped.
End Dream Sequence
Kagome woke up in a bed she did not recognize. It was adorned with blood red silk sheets and there were black curtains covering the windows. The room was illuminated with candles that gave the room a cozy feeling.
"Where am I?" Kagome asked.
She started a little when she heard the door open. A short, green toad-looking…thing…er…being waltzed into the room with a tray bearing food. The short man did not seem to notice that Kagome was awake until he turned around.
"Gak!" it squawked.
Kagome stared at him a little longer. "Uh…hi," she said.
"You're finally awake," the creature said. "Took you long enough. Filthy weak humans."
Kagome's temper flared a little at this comment. "Hey, I'm not filthy!" she said.
"All humans are. Vile creatures!" the creature said.
"Why you little…" Kagome said. She got out of bed, taking quick mental notes that she was wearing a nightgown, and walked over to the green being. The creature slipped past Kagome's hands and darted to the other side of the room.
"Gak, a human is trying to kill Jaken. Sesshoumaru-sama will hear of this, then he'll dispose of you like all the other filthy humans," the creature shouted.
"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked. Her dream was still fresh in her mind. "Is this his house?"
"Of course, are you stupid? Hah, humans aren't just filthy, but stupid too," the creature named Jaken cackled.
Kagome tried hard to keep her temper in check. "Where is Sesshoumaru?" she asked.
"Sesshoumaru-sama is not to be disturbed, especially by the likes of you," Jaken said. Then muttered. "Don't know why Sesshoumaru-sama decided to help this vile creature."
Kagome looked at the muttering individual and tried to be courteous one more time. "So your name is Jaken?" she asked.
"That's right, and you best remember it. I am Sesshoumaru-sama's private servant," Jaken boasted. "I serve only Sesshoumaru-sama."
Kagome tried hard not to laugh at Jaken's display of arrogance. "I see…" she said. "Do you know when I can see Sesshoumaru?"
"When he feels like seeing you," Jaken said. "Meanwhile, he ordered me to bring you food. I would have preferred to starve you to death."
"Then I should really thank you for you generous heart," Kagome's voice was dripped with sarcasm.
"I have to follow Sesshoumaru-sama's orders," Jaken said.
Kagome just nodded and moved over to the tray Jaken had brought in. Without another word, Jaken zoomed out of Kagome's room. It was only once he was safely out of Kagome's room did he start shouting about how humans needed to be exterminated.
"Interesting guy," Kagome observed.
Having eaten her fill, Kagome looked around the room. What time is it? Kagome wondered. She walked over to the curtains and threw them aside, revealing a large window that looked out towards the oceans. Now, the waters looked like they were on fire. The setting of the sun lit the waters ablaze with the orange and red, perfectly mirroring the sky above it. It truly was a breathtaking sight.
Kagome stared out at the sunset, watching the large life-giving celestial body descend below the horizon as the blanket of night stretched over the earth. Somehow, watching the sunset comforted her.
Sesshoumaru's eyes blinked open as night descended. Pushing the top of his coffin open, Sesshoumaru immediately called for Jaken, who in his haste, tripped and lay sprawled on the floor in front of Sesshoumaru's coffin.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, this lowly one trusts you had a good rest?" Jaken squeaked.
"Hn," Sesshoumaru said.
He stepped from his coffin, stepping on Jaken in the process, and made his way out of his chambers. Jaken, recovered from being trodden on, ran after his lord.
"Are you going to go feed, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Jaken asked.
Sesshoumaru only glared at his servant in return. "You bore me with your senseless questions," he snapped.
In a blur of black, Sesshoumaru was out the door, leaving Jaken kneeling on the ground, crying out self-deprecating phrases. Sesshoumaru did a quick sweep of the city and quickly found his 'meal.' Tonight, he would drink the blood of a suffering homeless guy.
"Please, young man, spare some change," the man cried.
"You are suffering," Sesshoumaru said, his voice betraying no emotion. "I shall end your misery now."
With a grip of steel, Sesshoumaru took hold of the defenseless man and, with a flash of his sharp teeth, drained the man of his life. Having fed, Sesshoumaru's complexion was not so deathly pale as when he first woke up. Touching his own cheek, he felt the tiniest bit of warmth emit from it.
"It is sufficient," he declared.
Leaving the body where it was, Sesshoumaru returned home, knowing Kagome was waiting for him.
Sesshoumaru walked down the ornate hallway to the chamber where Kagome was sleeping. Opening the door softly, Sesshoumaru saw Kagome staring out the window. Sensing she was being watched, Kagome stiffened and then turned around. When she saw who it was, a slow smile spread across her face.
"Sesshoumaru," she called. "I thought it was that arrogant servant of yours."
"He caused you discomfort," he said, stating a fact rather than asking.
"Yeah, he came into the room, ranting and raving about how humans are filthy and stupid," Kagome said.
"He will be dealt with," Sesshoumaru said, making a mental note that Jaken's punishment was long overdue.
"What I don't get is, if Jaken hates humans, then why does he tolerate you?" Kagome asked jokingly. "You're 'human' too aren't you?"
This question took Sesshoumaru aback but he gave no hint of it. "I am an exception," Sesshoumaru said, careful not to give away what he really was.
Kagome raised an eyebrow. " 'Exception?'" she asked.
Sesshoumaru merely nodded. He changed the subject to dispel any other curiosities Kagome may have been harboring. "I trust you rested well," he stated.
Kagome nodded. "I did," she answered, thinking back. Then her dream suddenly popped in her head. "Oh yeah."
It was Sesshoumaru's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Is there something you wished to discuss?" he asked.
Kagome shook her head. "Just something I remembered," she said.
Sesshoumaru motioned for her to go on.
"When I was asleep, I had a dream," Kagome said. "And you were in it."
"A dream," Sesshoumaru said monotonously. "There is nothing extraordinary about this."
"But you were with a woman in a forest," Kagome said, recalling her dream. "And there was another man there. It was like you and the other guy were fighting over the girl."
Sesshoumaru stiffened the slightest bit. She is describing the encounter between Midoriko and her so called betrothed. Sesshoumaru thought. How is it she is recalling memories from her past life? "You're mind certainly is active," Sesshoumaru said instead.
"But the dream felt so familiar," Kagome said.
"There are times when dreams do," Sesshoumaru assured.
"But, it felt…almost as if I'd been there in real life," Kagome said.
Sesshoumaru continued to stare before Kagome let out a laugh.
"There is something that amuses you," Sesshoumaru said, slightly interested.
"I think I'm going crazy," Kagome said. "Don't take what I said seriously. Must be all the stress from work."
"You have mentioned a troublesome individual at your place of vocation," Sesshoumaru said.
Kagome looked at him. "Oh, yeah, real arrogant. Almost like Jaken," Kagome said.
"He is called…" Sesshoumaru said.
"Oh, Inuyasha, Takashi Inuyasha," Kagome offered.
Sesshoumaru stiffened again. Not him. He thought.
"Do you know him?" Kagome asked.
"I have made his acquaintance a few times," Sesshoumaru said.
"Is he always annoying?" Kagome asked.
"Unquestionably," Sesshoumaru said. "You work with him?"
Kagome nodded. "I'm designing the new office building for Hanyou Corp," Kagome said.
"You undertake quite a task if you are to work with him," Sesshoumaru said.
Kagome nodded again. "Tell me about it," she sighed.
A blanket of silence enveloped the two. "Are you well enough to travel?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"Are we going somewhere?" Kagome asked.
"Your residence. I believe your companion is concerned for your well-being," Sesshoumaru said.
Kagome mentally slapped herself. How could she have thought otherwise. Come on Kags, he doesn't like you like that. Did you think he was going to ask you for a date? Kagome almost laughed out loud. Of course Sesshoumaru heard her every thought and what he heard amused him.
"We will depart," Sesshoumaru said, breaking Kagome's conversation with herself.
"Oh, yeah, right," Kagome said. "Umm…"
"Something is wrong," Sesshoumaru said.
"I need to change," Kagome said.
"Is your current attire not befitting enough?" Sesshoumaru asked.
Kagome blushed lightly, "I'm in a nightgown," she stated.
"…"
"I don't want Eri to think anything happened," Kagome said, blushing more.
"Understandable," Sesshoumaru said. "Jaken!"
The green servant skidded into the room. "H-hai, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Jaken said, glaring at Kagome.
"Fetch Kagome's clothing," Sesshoumaru ordered.
"H-hai, milord," Jaken said, disappearing quickly and reappearing with Kagome's clothes. "Filthy human's clothing needed washing." He muttered.
"Dress quickly," Sesshoumaru said, then he left Kagome to change.
In the hallway, Sesshoumaru thought about what Kagome had said to him. She was working with Inuyasha. It certainly surprised him that she would meet up with him.
"This may turn out to be far more intriguing, brother," Sesshoumaru said.
Author's Note: I'm so sorry for the long wait, and the corniness of this chapter. I hope it was a good chapter. ::worries:: I hope that I can update faster now that finals are over…but please don't hold me to that.
Read and Review! Arigatou!