I quietly strode behind Sesshomaru, watching his hair gently sway each time he took a step. It had been a few hours by now and no communication was held between us. I wondered what he could be thinking as we walked. I couldn't help but worry about the upcoming events that would take place in his palace. Will I be accepted by the others? I doubt they're humans. What if they 'accidentally' kill me? Is it an insult to them that I am a demon exterminator? These thoughts flooded my already overwhelmed mind, making me crash right into Sesshomaru, who had stopped walking. I gasped, bit my lower lip and looked down. Sesshomaru faced me and glared.
"I'm so sorry Sesshomaru-sama!" He simply growled and said, "You stupid, careless girl. Pay more attention to your surroundings. That will be helpful for you to remember during your training." I nodded, blushing embarrassingly bright. "May I ask why you stopped?" I asked nervously. "I caught the scent of blood in this area."
"You did?" He nodded. "Shouldn't we just leave it?"
"No I can't just 'leave' it. Being the lord of the Western Lands, I am liable for what happens in these areas."
"Oh, I didn't know." I said. Then it was silent once again as I followed him towards where he smelled the blood. I had never noticed how much Sesshomaru and Inuyasha were alike. They were both stubborn and rude, but in different ways. Sesshomaru being politely-rude and Inuyasha being rude-rude. I almost laughed at how similar they were to each other. "You seem optimistic." I nearly jumped out of my kimono at Sesshomaru's sudden comment. "How would you know?" I asked, not meaning to sound as impolite as I did. "I can sense it. Have you forgotten that I am a demon?" I shrugged. "No, I guess I just never thought demons could do that."
A strong scent filled my nose. "What is that putrid smell!" I half yelled. "Decaying bodies." Sesshomaru replied. I cringed at that thought. "How did they die in the first place?" I wondered aloud. "Obviously a battle." Sesshomaru spoke. I looked around. "I don't see any signs of decaying bodies or a battle." I muttered. Sesshomaru simply pointed down a path. "A battle has taken place at the end of this trail." It led up a hill that I couldn't see beyond. "My guess is that this battle has been going on for weeks, maybe months. What angers me is that nobody bothered telling me about it."
"What do you plan to do?" I let my curiosity get the better of me. "What my plans are doesn't concern you, mortal!" Sesshomaru snapped. I wonder if he even does know what to do. I thought. "The battle was apparently between dog demons and spider demons." Sesshomaru started up the path. "Are we going to your palace any time soon?" I really didn't feel like going to explore some bloody battle field. "We will go as soon as I find out who the leader of the spider demons is." I sighed and followed him towards the clearing
My eyes widened as we came into the gory scene that lay before us. Bodies of demons were strewn everywhere in the clearing. Blood seeped into the ground, staining the grass red. The stench of death hung in the air. Even a mere mortal could smell the rotting death. The bodies were still and everything was silent, except for the squawking of crows that pecked at the remaining carcasses. I was trying my hardest not to pass out, it reeked so bad. Something caught my attention though. A spider demon was holding a scroll in his right hand. "Sesshomaru?" I sounded shaky. He followed my gaze down to the demon holding the scroll. I watched as Sesshomaru knelt down and grasped the scroll. I screamed when the spider demon's hand snapped off with the scroll. Sesshomaru glared in disgust as he threw the hand at the ground. I watched in curiosity as Sesshomaru opened the mysterious scroll:
"Lord Sesshomaru,
It has come to our attention that your younger brother, Inuyasha, is now deceased. Hearing this has made us realize that you may die too. this is the reason why you must find a mate within one year so you can make heirs to the throne. If you do not complete this task, we will be forced to give your title to someone else.
Sincerely,
The Council of Elders"
Sesshomaru reread the letter in shock and anger. Then he threw it at the spider demon who had been holding the scroll earlier. I didn't know what to say, I just sort of stared as Sesshomaru started back down the path. He turned. "Are you coming or not!" He sounded pissed off. "Y-yeah, sure." I trotted after him.
So we were back to walking. "Hey, Sesshomaru-sama?"
"What is it?" He still sounded angry. "When I go to your palace, do you think everyone will accept me?" Maybe Sesshomaru would know. "I'll make them." He said. I didn't really like the sound of that. I wanted them to accept me as a human, willingly. "Won't they be offended that I'm an exterminator?" I sighed when Sesshomaru didn't answer. Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter. Why do I want friends anyway? After all, I'm probably going to die anyway. I was going to try to fight Naraku and die. Wait, I had to have faith! I had to stand up straight and do my best. I straightened up and looked proud of myself. I gasped and went back to my normal position when Sesshomaru turned around to face me. Damn it. I thought. I hope he didn't see me... Sesshomaru smirked and pointed to a tree with barely any branches. "Climb that tree." I gaped. "Why! There is no reason that I should!" Sesshomaru shoved me hard into the tree. Pain filled my arm where I crashed. "What the hell did you do that for you damned-" I stopped when I noticed him glaring. "Climb the tree, human." He ordered. "It is part of your training. Now do it." I looked up at the tree. "How am I supposed to climb it?"
"Use you resources." Sesshomaru responded. I'll be watching and determining what level of smarts and strength you are at." I nodded and thought. "I've got it!" I said excitedly. I ran off into the forest and found a vine. Running back, I tied the vine to my boomerang. I stood under the tree and aimed my boomerang at the highest branch I could find. Then, I threw it over and made sure the branch was sturdy. I caught my boomerang and put it away, tying both ends of the vine around my waist. Then, I climbed. Simple, right?
Good, let's be off now." Sesshomaru started to walk off. I pulled at the vine around my waist. It wouldn't untie! Untie, Untie, please untie! I silently begged. I was stuck to the tree, damn it! I tried to pull out, but I couldn't. I took out my boomerang and sliced through the vine. I was free! Thank goodness. Where did Sesshomaru go? Damn it! I lost him! I muttered. "On the contrary, I'm right here." I jumped and looked behind me. Sesshomaru sneered. "How did you...? I thought..." Sesshomaru grabbed my wrist and pulled me off. "Hey! I can follow you without you pulling me!" I complained. He didn't answer. I got really annoyed and pushed him away from me. He glared. "I'll forgive your insolence for now. You obviously don't realize that I am your superior. From now on, you must do exactly as I say, exactly when I say it, understand?" I clenched my fists, but nodded. "Say it." He demanded. "I understand. Sesshomaru gestured for me to follow him as he walked down a path that led towards the west.
Later on, I trudged grumpily through the prairie. "Sesshomaru-sama? didn't you say that your palace was nearby before we started to it?" Sesshomaru didn't bother to look at me, he simply said, "Yes."
"Then why is it taking so long?" I asked. "I decided to take the long route to test your endurance. So far you're fairing pretty well, so don't complain." I shut my mouth immediately. I listened to the sounds of nature to occupy myself. The swift wind lightly played with my hair. Birds sang beautifully. New spring blossoms sprouted out from the ground as if to greet all who passed by. I smiled when I saw two squirrels playfully wrestle under the cool shade of a weeping willow. I loved nature. I loved watching the creatures in their environments.
Sesshomaru came to a halt and looked at me. "You did fairly well. Now you may take a break." I sighed in relief and plopped down right where I stood. I laid down and laced my fingers together behind my head. The soft grass tickled my nose and I suddenly sneezed. Sesshomaru twitched slightly in surprise. I guess he wasn't expecting me to sneeze out of the blue. I giggled. "Sorry..." I said. "For what? Sneezing? I don't care."
"Oh, ok." I lightly closed my eyes and deeply inhaled the fresh spring air. I love the feeling that I get when I relax on a warm spring day. As if flying through clouds. I had always wished I could fly. I'd soar over rainbows and dive through clouds. Soon, I started to doze off, dreaming about flying with someone...Who was it? I was hovering over clouds with someone that I knew, but I couldn't quite place them. It was too unclear...
Jerking awake, the first one I saw was Sesshomaru, standing up, leaning against a tree. His eyes were closed. He must have felt like he was being watched because he opened his eyes and said, "So you're finally awake? Then let's get moving, I sense an evil aura headed in out direction." Then, Sesshomaru surprisingly lifted me up and heaved me over his shoulder. "If we don't move fast enough, we'll be caught. You're not ready to fight." At that, he flew up into the sky and...Something was unusually familiar about it...
I know, I know, chapter two is kind of short...I think...But you have to admit, it has a lot of info, don't you agree? Well, I'll see you in chapter three! I'm looking forward to it.