Third Time's A Charm- Chapter 2
He fell of in surprise, his hand brushing the fire as her scrambled back and he yelped as his fingers were seared, snatching it hand back quickly. The woman sighed heavily with exasperation and picks up a bag of the ground, going through it then pulled out a small jar of salve.
"Idiot! Let me see." She took his hands without waiting for his consent and smoothed an ugly green cream over his burned fingers.
He let her, watching her closely remaining quiet as she treated his hand before speaking. "You're nuts."
She smiled but didn't look up. "I've heard that many times."
He scoffed. "So you make deals like that often. AH!" The last part added when she squeezed his fingers.
"If you say that again I'll do much worse then that. I'm no harlot."
His ears twitched again with his annoyance. "Could have fooled me." He snatched his hand back. "That's enough!"
She shrugged. "Very well." Screwing the top back on the jar and put it away. She sat down again easily and eyed him. "It shouldn't be that difficult of a decision."
"Why?"
"Because it's a matter of life and death of course. Honestly I di-"
"NO!" He snarled. "I meant why do you want…" he trailed of and a blush heated his faith. The woman checked a laughed.
"Oh yes. That. My reasons are my own. Perhaps I need and heir but don't want a husband. Has that occurred to you? And you're the perfect specimen."
"Specimen?"
She smiled. "Shall we use mate then? I'm not sure it's accurate though but if it makes you happy-"
"You are-"
"Yes I know."
He glowered at her. "Stop humoring me!"
"Well you are acting like a child Inuyasha. It's a simple arrangement. One night in exchange for you whole life. I, personally, think you're getting the better end of the deal." She paused thoughtfully. "No, I'm lying. I believe I am but if I was in your place I'd think otherwise."
He was silent for sometime before he spoke again. "Just where is your village?"
She glanced at the trees thoughtfully again. "From her? 2 or 3 days journey perhaps. Depending on how quickly we move and what we encounter on the way."
"And just how will they feel about a half demon." Inuyasha's voice rose suddenly. "Do you really think you can get away with this?"
She smiled. "I believe they'll feel fine. A bit upset at first but once it settles with thing it'll all be fine. And yes, I do think I can. In fact I'm determined to."
He studied her again. "What are you?"
She glanced at him. "Me?" She chewed her bottom lip absently. "I suppose I a priestess of a sort. I don't really contend to the usual standards of priestess-ship however." She laughed. "If I'm totally honest it's more of a inheritance then anything else. Why?"
Inuyasha wasn't listening anymore. He'd been lost after the word priestess. Kagome…Kikyou. Something moved in the corner of his eye and he turned sharply but there was nothing there and he shuddered. He hated when these phases occurred. He'd see them. Either one of them, sometimes both of them out of the corner of the eye. Or mistake someone else for them. Or he'd hear one of their voices whispering to him. But it was nothing but beautiful lies. The dead fragments of his heart flickering dreams through his mind now and then.
His hands curled into fists, the burns on his injured hand stinging sharply at the pressure but he didn't relax himself. The pain reassured him that he was still real. And then he felt a gently touch on his hand and he looked over. The woman had lifted his hand and was straightening out his burned fingers gently as if they were inanimate things.
"Please refrain from damaging yourself when I've gone through the trouble of patching you together again." She said lightly.
He stared at her and his anger rose. She knew. Somehow he knew he'd been absently thinking of something else. She knew he'd been daydreaming of his pain and she was mocking him. He snatched his hand away from her.
"Don't touch me."
Her eyebrow went up. "Well I hope that isn't your final decision on our deal." He was quiet and she went on talking. "Are you going to wallow in self-pity for very long?"
"Self pity!" He snarled angrily.
She nodded. "Yes. Self-pity. It's really, very unattractive."
He sputtered a moment then settled for turning away from her. "As if I care." She didn't have any right to judge him. Just who did she think she was? Self pit!?
"You may not like me very much Inuyasha. But you'll have to tolerate me, because I'm the only thing facing down death for you." She murmured. "And I'll need your decision now because I'm tired."
He was silent. What other option did he have? Did he want to die now? No. He couldn't. He still wanted to live. He wanted…wanted to hope there was hope still. So he nodded slowly, irritated when he blushed again.
"Deal."
She smiled. "Deal then." And held out a hand. He hesitated a moment then reached out and shook it carefully. She stroked his palm with a finger before retracting his hand and stood stretching lazily. "Well now that that's settled." She turned and started to walk away. "See you in the morning."
"Hey! Where are you going!?"
She glanced back at him and blinked curiously. "To sleep."
"S…sleep!?"
She nodded. "That's right." She blinked again then understanding dawned and she laughed. "You didn't think I was going to collect my pay right now did you? Of course not. I wouldn't want you to…over exert yourself when you're still weak from that poison. I'll be waiting till you're at peak health." She flashed a mischievous grin at him. "Good night Inuyasha." And picked up a blanket from the ground and walked into the trees.
And Inuyasha was left infront of the crackling fire, annoyed at her having once again made him feel like a fool.