Running Blind
Just A Starving Writer

Disclaimer: nope, not mine.
Author's Rant: Yeah, I won't bore you with my reasons for the tardiness.
Thanks to all the wonderful reviewers and readers. I mean WOW. Much appreciated. Can only hope I didn't screw this chapter up.
Enjoy if you can.
(Psst! Find this story curiously lacking in action? Next chapter Naraku comes in, so THERE!)

Part 7: February, March

February

She had woken to the distinctive feeling of several eyes watching her. Sure enough, her senses had been correct as she was currently the subject of study for every shard hunter.

"What?" she asked drowsily.

"Are you okay?" the fox questioned hesitantly, his eyes providing evidence of his worry.

At his statement, she could only smile. She had never felt better.

"Yeah, Shippou. I'm okay." While it was obvious through the instant relaxation all present showed that they were relieved, she could tell there was more to be said.

"Kagome-sama, are you ready to explain?"

She met the monk's gaze and nodded with joyful resignation. Some details…she wasn't quite ready to reveal, but she recognized the need to tell them something more than she had. But first, she had a question of her own.

"How did I get here?"

The hanyou's loud sigh brought her attention back to him.

"Inuyasha?" she queried.

"Sesshoumaru. We were looking for you in the forest when we saw him. He stopped and put something down. When we approached, he was gone and you were asleep, propped up against a tree."

She nodded as a grin played across her features. Still, she didn't miss the half surprise, half acknowledgement of her friends at her reaction. Apparently, it was now time to give them the information they needed to put together the pieces of a rather difficult puzzle. She couldn't blame them for their confusion as she was just as clueless and she knew more than they did.

However, just as she opened her mouth to begin the odd story, a slap resounded. All eyes turned to the monk but he was not the victim. Instead the slayer had attacked herself, or rather the flea that had connected itself to her cheek.

"Myoga?"

"Lord Inuyasha! Kagome-sama! I came to speak with you!"

"Why'd you come, ya coward? I can't believe you'd come out of hiding so easily," the hanyou declared even as he plucked the flea from the slayer's hand.

"I was out gathering information…" The hanyou snorted his disbelief. "…When I came across a rather delicious young human girl. However, she quickly became aware of my presence and I was just about to take off when I was almost burned alive by a blast from that annoying demon that trails your brother. He began spouting off how his master needed no more interference from 'members of the stupid half-breed's group'. I immediately knew something was going on and listened as the child defended Kagome-sama. It was rather intriguing. I simply had to find out more so I immediately sought you. Kagome-sama, have you anything to do with Lord Sesshoumaru?"

Once again, all eyes turned toward the miko and once again she sighed in resignation.

"You're just in time, Myoga. I was just about to explain to everyone. Maybe everyone should sit down."

No one moved and she sighed again. As her mind went back to the beginning, she began her tale of accidental meetings in the dead of night, of sharing the beautiful world with a beautiful lord, of silent hellos and quiet philosophical talks. She spoke of the progression of the meetings to a nightly affair and the watchful presence that told her when to turn back. With hesitation, she continued her explanation into the odd game of chase. However, there she stopped, neglecting to provide further details. Unfortunately for her, lying was not her forte and the others suspected more.

"Is that all, Kagome-sama?" the monk queried. She could only uncomfortably shift in her spot.

"What aren't you telling us, Kagome?" the hanyou accused and she could not meet his eyes.

The flea jumped from his position on the hanyou's shoulder to the miko and questioned quite effectively.

"Has anything of a more intimate nature occurred, Kagome-sama?"

While she remained quiet, her blush was more telling than words. A collective breath was taken.

"Hmm…I see…Quite interesting," the flea mumbled before turning his attention back to the miko. "And has he exhibited any strange behavior before or after the… affection?"

Immediately the flea was locked in her gaze. Her thoughts were scrambled as she tried to determine how he could possibly know. The old youkai only nodded in understanding.

"What the hell are you talking about?" the hanyou asked with confused irritation.

Without a word, Kagome pushed back her sleeve to reveal a particularly long scar.

"But…" the slayer began with confused eyes. "Wasn't that from that time we found you in the woods after Kouga? Are you saying Sesshoumaru did that?"

The miko nodded solemnly without meeting the eyes of anyone present.

"But Kagome-chan! You were covered in bruises! I've looked better after a run-in with Naraku. How could he do that to you if…" the slayer trailed off.

"He was testing her, of course," the flea stated flatly. "It's a common practice among demons. Many high level youkai see any display of emotion as a weakness for the one who initiates it. If Sesshoumaru-sama believed he was being weak, he would reassert his position, probably through a physical display of strength or by trying to force a show of weakness from Kagome-sama."

"He was testing her for weakness?"

"Yes, of course. It simply wouldn't do for someone as powerful as Sesshoumaru-sama to allow someone unworthy to see him in any position of weakness. He was testing to see if she was truly deserving of his affections by attempting to force her into her own display of weakness. How did the injuries occur, Kagome-sama?"

She sighed and her blush spread as she shyly began the part of her story she would have rather neglected.

"He told me to run so I did. He was chasing me but I didn't think much of it til he pushed me into a tree. I didn't understand why but I knew I had to keep going. So I ran again and he pushed again and it just kept going like that until instead of pushing he pulled…"

"And?" the hanyou questioned when her pause extended too long for his liking.

"And when he was done, he pushed me away again. I ran and he caught me again. Then we heard you approaching so he went away."

"Was there any more?"

"A few days later, he kinda did it again. I was asking him to explain and he…then pushed me away, saying he wouldn't lower himself to explaining."

"And since then?"

"I hadn't seen him after that until yesterday afternoon when I finished crying I the woods."

"What happened in the woods, Kagome?" the fox asked. "You just sort of snapped when Inuyasha killed that demon in front of you…I was worried."

"I guess I did snap, Shippou. But it was for the best really. I ran because I needed to feel alive again. When he threw me away the last time, I was terribly confused and for awhile I let it take over. Yesterday, after my run, I cried and realized how silly it was to let something as unimportant as not understanding tear apart my world. I had finally come out of my sulking when my body gave out. The last thing I remember is him carrying me."

"What the hell do you mean understanding isn't important? How can you possibly believe that shit? You mean to tell me that it doesn't bother you that Sesshoumaru has a thing for you? Not only that, but he happens to like showing his 'affection' by throwing you into trees? What the hell is wrong with you?" the hanyou ranted. The miko took it with a wry grin, ignoring the last question.

"Yes, Inuyasha. That's exactly what I'm saying."

"But Kagome-chan…"

"But nothing Sango-chan. I freely admit that I know nothing of his mind or heart. But it doesn't matter to me. I know my own heart. Can't you understand that? Life is most beautiful to me when he is in it. If he has issues with my being worthy of his attention, they will be solved in time. For now, it's enough that I have his attention."

Kagome's odd logic made everyone pause in thought as they sought full interpretation. Searching their expressions, she could see that Miroku understood but was hesitant to agree. Sango's teary eyes told her of a sympathetic friend who feared for the safety of her heart. Shippou's hand reached for her own and with a tug, she knew he was giving her his support. The flea on her shoulder seemed quite surprised that she was taking everything so well. However, she immediately knew the hanyou was going to be an issue.

"But Kagome…" Inuyasha began. "Sesshoumaru…He's tried to kill you…How?...Why?"

Disconnecting herself from the fox, she stood and took steady but light steps to her friend. With a soft hand on his cheek, she demanded his full attention. His confused eyes met her knowing gaze.

"There doesn't have to be a why, Inuyasha. But maybe I can explain it more. Has there ever been a time, Inuyasha, when you were completely at peace with yourself and the world around you?"

He could only half nod.

"That's how I feel, knowing he's out there."

His eyes glazed over with some indefinable something and she released him, carefully stepping backward before she finally turned away.

However, she didn't stop at the edge of the camp and just as she had expected, no one stopped her from continuing into the woods. Softly treading further between the trees, she almost failed to hear the question finally asked back at the campsite by a rather intuitive little fox demon.

"But…what if Sesshoumaru never decides if she's worthy?"

A tear streamed relentlessly down her cheek but she flung it away as she drew in a deep breath of the cold, clean air. It was a question she couldn't answer…and so it was one she would simply fail to ask herself.

>.......................

March

The nightly meetings picked up once more, but she did not push her luck. While it had now become rather obvious that she had his attention, she was not going to force him into any declaration, most likely because she knew that was rather impossible. Still, though she knew her heart was no longer hers, she felt safe.

There were times, she allowed, times when she began to doubt his motives. Times when she feared his true intentions in procuring her safety. However, those times were short lived. She only needed to look around, once again sink into the blissfulness of nature to remember that in the long run, it mattered little. True, a real relationship could not begin between them until he came to terms with his feelings, but that day would one day come. Until then, it was enough that he was watching her.

And so every day she trekked further in search of the last remaining jewel shards and every night she ran farther in search of peace. She had quickly regained her previous level and then surpassed it, traveling longer distances each night until she reached the waiting taiyoukai. Even this was a test, she figured, to see if she could continually improve her skill, and if so, she was passing it as of yet.

No matter the occurrences of the day, at night she was free to run with unrestrained passion. Had anyone informed her that there were times when her very skin seemed to be perspiring light, she would have smiled and nodded. She knew very well that whatever innate power she possessed was using her nightly commune with nature to express its presence. While she might have failed to understand the significance, she did appreciate the lightness it gave to her steps and the charged feeling she had after each escape. There was no question that she was becoming stronger under the lord's quiet guidance and her own need to see the beautiful world. Her muscles protested very little daily, and every arrow she discharged had more power than the one before.

However, she knew her friends still questioned whether her growing strength would ever be enough to sate the powerful taiyoukai. She was human, with all that entailed, and for a formerly human-loathing being such as the lord, it would take much to redeem herself in his eyes. Just the fact that she had gained his notice was proof that he considered her one of the betters of her species, but there was still a great distance to bridge between tolerable human and powerful being.

>.......................

He was staring at her as she gathered water in her cupped hands. Staring at her with his carefully blank expression, though she was almost certain that had she looked, there would have been something flickering deep within his eyes betraying his countenance.

"My mother once told me that there were three different kinds of people in the world," she said as she brought the water to her lips. She paused to have a draught of the cold water. "Those who watched, those who acted, and those who did both." Turning slightly, she met his steady gaze before continuing. "You do both rather well, to such great extremes. But I do have to wonder what it is you are looking for."

He blinked and she grinned.

"Are you watching for my faults?"

His eyes narrowed slightly and she openly smiled.

"I assure you, there are plenty. But of course, you know that. Then the real question is, which one are you watching for?"

His eyes narrowed further and she laughed.

"Yes, which fault are you watching for and how long before you act again?"

With one final increment of eye narrowing, he disappeared with his speed, only to reappear directly behind her. However she had expected it and had moved according, placing herself mere centimeters out of the way of what he had apparently anticipated to be a rather easy push into the water. The victorious smile she sported didn't last long when, with a challenging smirk, he began a more earnest assault and she was hard pressed to keep from being tossed into the small pool or pinned to a tree.

Rather quickly her clothing was in disarray from rolling in a sad attempt to avoid him. Still, she was rather impressed that she was doing so well. Sure, he was being extraordinarily lenient, but it was something. No doubt it was another test under the guise of play. She expected nothing less from him. However, that knowledge did little to dissuade her from continuing. Besides, the twigs caught in her hair were bound to be rather fetching.

Of course, as is the way of things, she had no sooner thought of her improvement in dodging when he decided to up the stakes. Flinging her ruthlessly into the air, she barely had time to draw a quick breath before landing into the pond, somewhere she doubted he was all that enthused to follow her into. Even as she did the best job of removing her hair from her face, a rather difficult task considering the chill still in the air as well as the rather icy temperature of the water, a rather sneaky idea occurred to her. With all the dignity she could muster, she climbed out of the pond and approached him slowly.

It was childish, but it could also be seen as entirely alluring, she decided even as, without the slightest bit of warning, she jumped, fully intent on formally introducing him to the excess water in her clothing. However, he was, as usual, one step ahead. Luckily enough for her, he didn't seem to mind the water, only her method. Easily wrestling control from her unaccustomed hands, he caught her mid air and flung her into a tree. Before she had the chance to slide down to the unwelcoming ground, he took the liberty of stopping her fall with a rather insistent hand on her neck.

Kagome wasn't quite sure when the tree ceased to be important. As soon as he provided her that most sought warmth once again, she had clung to him, leaving the foliage in favor of his own strength. However, it was over all too soon as she was flung to the forest floor to resume the game. At least she was getting better at landing. She'd once heard that in gymnastics the first thing one learnt was how to fall. After her most recent experiences, she could only applaud that most ingenious training.

Still, as much as she enjoyed the game, she was still but human, no matter how he might try to justify it. There were only so many times she could be thrown, so many times she could run before exhaustion caught up to her and in this instance, it came all too soon. After a particularly robust display of affection, she found herself in a pile on the ground without the ability to get up. The spirit was willing but the body was very visibly throwing in the towel. The damage alone was enough to make her wince in expectation of pain in the morning. If she could even get the energy to get back to camp by morning, that is. Presently the ground was very cozy.

In her hazy and yet all too clear mind, she almost failed to notice the taiyoukai approaching her again, looking down on her as he so often did. Meeting his eyes, she was slightly surprised to find yet another new indefinable something trapped beneath the careful stare. Her brow creased in confusion.

"You are glowing."

His simple statement was enough to give her a moment of dumbfounded pause before she wearily lifted a hand. Indeed, her skin was giving off a soft luminance that made the otherwise unassuming appendage look otherworldly. Still, as odd as this was, it was nothing new to the miko.

"Yeah, I've been doing that lately." She paused thoughtfully as she twisted the hand weakly in front of her slack face before dropping it to the ground. "I think it's pretty."

He said nothing but walked away, presumably to retrieve the discarded armor. A few minutes later he returned and silently knelt to gather her still glowing body into his only arm. She had originally assumed it would be an awkward position but strangely enough it wasn't if one worked the mechanics correctly, which of course he did.

He carried her to the outskirts of the camp in silence.

>.......................

(line feature was kinda screwed up when I posted, so I made do.)