'IMPORTANT' Author's Note: Okay... third chapter. BUT, I think I should discontinue this... It has no point! Seriously, people! Don't tell me you haven't noticed! I really do wanna just, well...ya know : T.T BAWL MY EYES OUT. Well enjoy this... if I continue this, then... you're all very lucky.
Etsudoku yukai!
Chapter III
As the group of five reached the village, Rin and Shippou ran toward a group of children playing chase. InuYasha sped up and stomped his feet in a huff, jumping into his tree. In a flurry of red, he threw up his arms into the trademark crossed-arm pose. All was quiet with the relationship-developing demon lord and priestess, for they were lost in their own thoughts.
While the young woman was pondering her thoughts on how to escape her newly arising problem of the two brothers, Sesshoumaru's thoughts ranged between beating up InuYasha just to prove a point and snuggling with Kagome (against his lordly instinct) just to prove a point.
Oh, the possibilities!
So caught up in negative thoughts, Sesshoumaru didn't notice when his grip on Kagome's wrist had tightened. Only when she yelped in increasing pitch, did he suddenly realize what he was doing and loosen his hold. The lord watched silently as the object of his would-be love snatched her wrist away from his hand and cradled it in her right palm. As she stroked away the searing pain, he became entranced as her fingers ran over the swollen flesh.
The demon lord's vision cleared, and what he saw made his heart feel like it was hit with a hammer. The girl's body was shaking slightly as, for the second time that day, Sesshoumaru watched as large tears fell. I did this; I did this to her- to Kagome...
Before Sesshoumaru could do anything, the old priestess, Kaede, moved the tatami door aside and came out of her home. Seeing the slight distress of her young trainee, Kaede gently inquired as to the problem. Her only response was a shake of the head. When she noticed the Western Lord and how near he was to Kagome, she became worried. She knew Kagome had little, if any, fear of the demon lord, but that distance was incomparable. Still managing a pleasant smile, the old woman bowed at the waist to him with a quiet but firm, "Lord Sesshoumaru." In response, he inclined his head.
While their reintroduction took place, Kagome was trapped in her thoughts. He's too much like how InuYasha used to be: extremely caring at times but at others, really cold-hearted and prideful. I just can't get out of this family! The young woman shook her head remorsefully, letting loose another wave of tears but did nothing to stop them from falling.
So distracted, Kagome hardly noticed when a voice called her. "Kagome, ye have someone eager to see ye." Kagome nodded once and continued to listen. "She was injured, and I tended to her wounds. She is resting in the hut. Please see her. Ye are most welcomed."
The young priestess nodded in understanding and silently walked the short distance away. Once inside, Kaede spoke in a patronizing voice. "I will not ask of the situation of ye two, but know that the path may only become rougher as ye walk, Lord Sesshoumaru," she said looking toward the tree line down the slope of the hill a ways.
The demon lord did nothing but give a quiet "Hmm" in return. He scanned the small plaza where the villagers were bustling about. They reeked of dirt and the smell of death eminent since birth. How can that half-breed withstand the smell? I am lucky my person is still alive... For a fraction of a second, a frown marred his pale brow. He listened as the old priestess drew in a breath to speak, but decided to quickly intervene.
"She will come into my care," he spoke coldly. Turning away this opportunity would be a lost chance in his life. The young woman had beauty, brains and, in a different sense, brawn. "Kagome will be safe."
Kaede nodded, too worried for the one who had been like a daughter to her. She looked at the still figure of the lord and wondered why he had suddenly taken an interest in the young woman. Maybe Sesshoumaru is nicer than I first believed. After all, he cares for young Rin, and as sweet as she may be, a child is not so tolerable...
Sesshoumaru turned back and locked eyes with the priestess, a silent agreement and warning understood in their gazes. They each nodded vaguely before turning and walking away from each other; Sesshoumaru took steady steps toward the clearing outside of the village border, and Kaede turned to check up on Kagome.
Inside the hut, Kagome moved to the sleeping figure laying on the futon. She couldn't imagine who was resting, but if Kaede said it was a friend then of course she would trust her! In an odd silence she kneeled down onto the ground next to the figure in gently shook what seemed to be the shoulder of it. A rustling of the blankets told her of the person's movements and a soft groan alerted her to their awakening.
She moved back when the figure rolled over, and gasped lightly as the face of the futon-occupant came into view. She gave a slight smile but it turned quickly with worry when she noted the five or so layers of bandages wrapped around their head. Is she okay...?
"Shima..."
Worry clouded her vision as she gazed down at the young girl. Shima was little more than half her age and with Kagome near the age of nineteen, Shima was only eleven. Such an innocent girl, and yet she was attacked. I wonder what it was this time. Thoughts that Shima was an innocent little girl unable to defend herself came naturally, and although it wasn't true, Kagome couldn't help but feel that way. Shima was far from weak.
She was a demon.
An ukiyo demon- a giver of life.
The sweet thing was born of a kind of the rarest immortals: life-giving demons.
Maybe it was ironic- that she could give life, bring back life, or heal things, yet she was a demon? The one creature that so many on Earth feared and thought so lowly of; the creature that humans only believed was able to kill, destroy, or maul.
Kagome snapped out of her reverie when she sensed a pair of eyes on her. She turned her head slowly and bright lavender eyes rimmed with a dark rose red came into sight. The pair of eyes blinked up innocently at her, and the young woman couldn't help but feel a sort of happiness rush through her. It was the same feeling as when she had saved Shippou and first seen him smile in true joy. Now she got that same feeling from the orphaned ukiyo demon. A smile graced the lips of the child and Kagome returned it whole-heartedly, albeit a bit worried.
She watched as the girl sat up slowly, one hand clutched at her chest bone. Maybe there was some sort of pain there? She would never know if she didn't ask...
"Shima...?" Kagome questioned quietly.
"Yes, Miss Kagome?" The little demon girl replied.
"Is there something wrong with your chest?" When Shima smiled brightly in the negative, Kagome continued on. "Kaede said you wanted to see me?—What about?"
"Well... I haven't seen you in a week. I got worried that I wouldn't see you- just... just like my parents," she responded meekly.
Oh! Poor Shima..."No, Shima, I would never do that to you! Never in a million years." Kagome brought her left hand to rest on the girl's small shoulder when she saw a barely discernable sob shake her frame. The ukiyo demon immediately looked to the priestess's hand in a questioning glance but stopped short when she noticed a dark purple bruise marring the slightly swollen flesh.
"Kagome, what happened to your wrist? You... you got hurt..." There was a pound of worry for every syllable in her voice. It was nerve-wracking that she could cause an all ready- injured child even more pain just by unwillingly retaining a bruise.
"I'm fine, dear. It'll just ta-" Before the young woman could continue, Shima interrupted her.
"NO! You're not fine! I see the bruise. Someone hurt you, and you're okay with it! You're okay with it?" She yelled. "I'm going to heal you, Kagome. Give me your wrist," she spoke determinedly.
"Shima," Kagome said in a stern voice. "I'm not letting you use your healing powers on me. Besides! I'm a priestess- a shrine maiden- a sorceress! I can heal on my own; you know that. And you need your energy back to the max before I let you do anymore healing."
Shima was about to protest when the woman spoke up again: "Now rest, Shima. I will see you later today." The demon girl suddenly lunged toward Kagome in a literal breath-taking 'bear-hug'. The little girl sighed happily as if it was her real mother present, not just her adoptive mother Kagome.
When Shima let go of Kagome's waist, the priestess stood up and turned to walk out as the girl lay back down onto the soft mattress. The slowing of her breathing indicated that she was asleep all ready, too exhausted to complain about current circumstances. Kagome sighed in relief. She wouldn't have to worry too much with the girl safely asleep in a priestess's hut.
As soon as Kagome stepped out through the door screen, she was facing Kaede. They both silently acknowledged what the other was thinking as moved to begin walking slowly together to discuss the latest measures. Not much time had passed before they came closer to the center of the small village was- all different arrays of markets and trading booths to greet travelers, and the silence became bothersome.
Kagome turned to look down at the old woman donned in shrine garbs, and prepared to speak before she was cut off. "Kagome... ye did not sense the unusually low amount of spiritual energy?"
"No..." Kagome spoke slowly, suddenly unsure of her spiritual powers now. "Why? Shima can heal herself- she'll be back to normal by late this afternoon, and since she was attacked, I don't quite find it abnormal to have a low amount of energy."
"Kagome... Shima ha-" Suddenly, Kaede was cut off by loud screams of:
"GOTCHA!"
And...
"YOU WON'T GET AWAY; YOU WILL LOSE!"
Followed by...
Cackling laughter.
The two priestesses watched in a sort of morbid fascination as Sango and Miroku came running into view, with the former swinging her haraikotsu above her head apparently dead-set on beating Miroku until he was near... death.
Somehow, through all that they had all gone through, it didn't seem like Sango would be the one to chase someone around while laughing maniacally. Be that as it may, the demon slayer was- in fact- the one laughing. The priest was busy running for his life while screaming obscenities.
How could Life be so cruel to him?
One of Buddha's most loyal servants!
It was a most appalling thought that he would die at a time like this- in 'peace', not in war...
And yet here he was, Miroku the monk, running for cover from the deadly accuracy of his love.
"Sango! I must protest! I meant no harm; you know my hands have a mind of their own!" Miroku shouted over his shoulder as he ducked behind one of the market booths by the vender.
"Are you sure, you pervert! UTTERLY despicable PERVERT!" Sango hissed loudly as she came sneaking closer and closer for the kill, before...
They were off!
Down the long stretch of dirt road and Miroku narrowly misses the swing back of Sango and makes for a sharp turn at the bend! Too fast, Sango is unable to stop, and can't make the turn quick enough! What will she do!
Kagome's thoughts raced quickly through her mind as she played out Miroku's tactics like those two were in a horse race- with her two unknowing friends being the horses. Before she could continue, a very stressed-looking Kaede called her name once again.
"KAGOME!"
"I'm sorry Kaede, please forgive me..." Kagome said weakly while bowing.
"This particular conversation is not one ye would do well to miss. Kagome... Shima has," the priestess began.
"Yes?" Kagome ventured. Out of the corner of her eye sight, she saw the Western Lord make his way steadily toward the old woman and herself.
Maybe his newfound curiosity was getting the better of him...
"Shima has been poisoned. She will not live long, for she is too young. She would be blessed to live much longer. But, sadly, it can not be helped and the ukiyo might die..."
"No..." Kagome whispered weakly as it dawned on her. She would do something about this, she thought as she slowly blacked out. Vaguely she registered two warm arms catching her as her body went limp.
Okay! Maybe this is going somewhere! I'm kinda happy about that... We'll see.
ARIGATOU MINNA-SAN!
I feel totally happy that you guys are lovin' this (in my opinion?) long piece of pointless poo! I'm sooo happy... but I'm making it up as per when I'm bored... So I can't exactly answer any questions you might have...
Thank you, thank you, thank you everybody for reviewing!
And please, if you do read this, review. It would mean so much to me.