Always Doesn't Last Forever
Chapter 5: Words of WarningDisclaimer: I own nothing off Inuyasha! Just the plot and any original characters!
As the week passed, Sesshoumaru and his new 'guests' managed to get along well enough with one another. Hunter spent most of his time divided between Kagome, Sesshoumaru, and the children. His most redeeming quality, in Sesshoumaru's opinion, was that he was an excellent caretaker for Rin. Hunter was also beginning to slowly take over a lot of Kado's duties, thus allowing the old youkai to assume a more comfortable place in the household. Although Sesshoumaru was at first angry to have the young, healthy man tend to him but one day, while Sesshoumaru was having trouble putting on his kimono with one hand Hunter came in and helped him, yapping the whole time about something Rin and the youkai child had done, bowed and then left. When Sesshoumaru had looked down he was surprised to see himself properly clothed.
As for Kagome, he was both a good friend and guard. And every morning and every night he played the part of her handmaiden. After she rose, bathed, and then dressed he would come in and weave her hair into an artful display of hair with ribbons to match whatever outfit she chose to wear that day. Unfortunately, when she'd tried to undo his weavings the first time all that happened was the ribbons got tangled and he had to spend close to an hour and a half getting her hair untangled. He was also helping her to master the bow and arrows he'd given her.
But to Shippo and Rin, he was an older brother and babysitter rolled into one. He'd keep them entertained for hours by playing games with them, often making a few up, and he was a wonderful storyteller. Lady Fate seemed to be smiling down upon them all; however, such was not the case for a certain hanyou…
"What do you mean you don't know where Kagome is!?" Sango demanded and stalked toward Inuyasha.
"Feh! Why should I care about that wench? She couldn't even protect herself." He retorted and turned his face away from her to gaze off into the distance.
"You jerk! You swore to protect her! You're nothing more than a liar!" Sango screamed at him.
Inuyasha snarled and probably would have yelled something back but an arrow flying dangerously close to Sango's head stopped all of them.
"Kikyo." Miroku said softly and hurriedly moved beside Sango in a show of support. The un-dead miko had another arrow notched in her bow and was watching Sango with a murderous look in her eyes.
"No one speaks to Inuyasha like that."
"Did you do something to Kagome, you jealous bitch?" Sango nearly growled.
Inuyasha stood watching all of this with a sort of dazed look on his face. They were on the outskirts of the village, thankfully, and after a weeks worth of searching for Kagome, Sango had finally lost it. And now, Kikyo was ready to make her pay.
"Prepare to die." Kikyo said tonelessly and before any of them could move she released another arrow. Inuyasha watched in horror as it flew straight towards Sango... But even as Inuyasha and the others watched in frozen horror a dark blur struck Kikyo's arrow, pining it to a tree. It was an arrow… made out of a midnight black metal.
"If I were you soul stealer, I'd be careful about how far I push milady's anger." Called a voice from above them.
"What the…?" Inuyasha muttered and like the others, looked up in the trees for whoever had spoken. On a large tree limb stood a man in dark brown clothes that blended into the tree bark. His midnight black hair was shoulder length and wasn't bound back in a ponytail. But his most arresting feature was his icy blue eyes, which were currently looking at Kikyo in contempt. He jumped down then and landed directly in front of Sango.
"Who are you?" Kikyo demanded.
"I am called Hunter." He answered coolly.
"What do you want?" Inuyasha wanted to know.
"From her? Interesting question; personally, I've always believed that the dead should stay dead and respect the living but no everyone shares my views." He answered calmly, oblivious to the hate filled glared Kikyo was sending him. He turned around then and bowed formally to Sango. "You are Lady Sango correct?" He asked.
"Yes."
"Excellent." He said with a grin. "Lady Kagome asked me to tell you that she was well and happy. Shippo is also with her and they are both doing splendidly." He added with a nod.
"You've seen Kagome? Where is she?" Inuyasha asked eagerly.
Hunter turned back around and looked over at Inuyasha. "The Lady Kagome is no longer your concern. You made your choice Inuyasha, from the moment you spilled your seed into a womb that was made of earth and death."
"How did you-"
"Know? That's my secret." Hunter answered with a grin. "Now I must bid you good day; I have other duties to attend to." He stated and walked over to where his arrow still pierced Kikyo's and pulled it out. "But before I go, I need to issue a few words of warning to the soul stealer."
"I am coming exceedingly close to killing you." Kikyo snarled.
"With a bow and arrow? Not in this lifetime." He replied and started to laugh. It was a pleasant sound actually, full and deep with no restrictions; however, it still managed to send chills down Kikyo's spine.
"What are you? A demon?" Inuyasha asked and his claws went into 'ready to attack' mode.
"Not a demon. Not a human. Not a hanyou. For now I'm just a messenger what tomorrow brings… only time will tell." He answered and gazed off at the sky for a moment before snapping his eyes on Kikyo's. "Listen well soul stealer, for I will only give this warning once. Should you harm or threaten to harm either Lady Sango or the priest Miroku and any of their companions you're… life, such as it is, will be forfeit." He said coldly.
"What do you mean by that!?" Inuyasha growled.
"I mean that if she poses as a threat then she'll not have to worry about dragging you to hell." He replied and smiled viciously at the undead miko. "Because I'll send her there myself if she does not heed milady's warnings."
"You mean Kagome told you to kill her?" Sango asked, stunned.
"No, Lady Kagome did not. Milady did, just as it was milady who secured Lady Kagome's new protector." He answered and his features softened once again, wiping the cruel look of his face. "I bid you farewell now." He said and after bowing to Miroku and Sango he jumped back up into the tree and then leapt from branch to branch, steadily leaving them behind.
"This is not finished yet. I will be back." Kikyo stated and then she too disappeared into the forest.
"Does anyone care to explain just what in the hell is going on!?" Inuyasha yelled.
"We're hosting a ball? Wonderful!" Hunter exclaimed as he looked through the shelves in Sesshoumaru's study, hunting for a book that Sesshoumaru had requested he find for him.
"Not very likely." Sesshoumaru answered calmly causing Hunter to turn and scowl at him.
"Now why would you say that? Just think of the dancing, the food, the people, the hint of mystery and scandal that always floats around…" He drawled off with a smile when he noticed Sesshoumaru watching him as he would a strange and foolish bug.
"You actually care for such things?"
"Of course. It is often at balls such as things that hints of great things to come are foreshadowed." He answered good-naturedly.
"You are most strange."
"At least I'm not boring." He retorted as he pulled out the book Sesshoumaru requested and brought it to him.
"No. That is one thing you never are." Sesshoumaru said thoughtfully. "Why are you not afraid of me?" He asked.
"For the same reason that Rin and Lady Kagome are not." Hunter answered, causing Sesshoumaru's thoughts to turn in a different direction. Kagome had lost her initial fear of him quickly after that first week had past. And while she was always careful not to offend him, she had no qualms about teasing him. It was a refreshing change from the simpering looks at attitudes that he was used to from most females.
"Why doesn't she fear me?" He asked aloud.
"Perhaps because she knows she doesn't need to?" Hunter answered softly as he left Sesshoumaru alone in his study.
"Shippo! Come back here!" Kagome called with a laugh as she chased the young kitsune right around a corner and ran into something very big and hard. She would have fallen but an arm reached out and caught her quickly.
"Foolish. Do you always race around my castle like a heathen?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"Perhaps." Kagome answered and looked up at his eyes before smiling. She's learned very quickly that Sesshoumaru controlled his emotions far more than Inuyasha and had to pay more attention to his body language to gauge the way he felt. Right now his eyes were gentle with a hint of amusement in them and something else that she didn't recognize as well.
"Little wench. Don't you know that's a good way to be hurt?" He asked and rubbed her cheek softly with his clawed hand. He was pleased when she leaned into the soft caress like a kitten starved for affection.
"But I have you to watch over me, and Hunter." She replied.
"And what if we're not there?"
"Then I'll take care of myself." She boasted grandly.
"Perhaps." He conceded and rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip before stepping away. "Hunter is looking for you." He said.
"Okay." Kagome replied in a sort of daze. Sesshoumaru had to fight to keep a satisfied grin off his face. He liked to fluster this wonderfully innocent woman. It's good to know that her exposure to my worthless brother has not tainted her. He thought. What do I care? She is a human! Just like Inuyasha's mother… Sesshoumaru frowned then and walked away from Kagome, lost in his thoughts. I will not make the same mistake my father did. I will never trust a human! Never!
"Sesshoumaru..." Kagome said softly and reached up to touch her lips. For a moment he'd looked at her so kindly, gently, perhaps even affectionately before looking at her with pure contempt. "What did I do?" She asked softly aloud. Silence answered her and it was with a sad look upon her face that she continued her search for Shippo.
Lady Fate sighed and shook her head. The pup was still not willing to let go of his memories and was holding on to his past. Not that she could really blame him but still, it was so frustrating! She would be patient though, and wait to see how things went before interfering again. Hunter on the other hand…
~ Well not too much interaction this time eh? I forgot that people might want to know what Inuyasha and the others were doing so I put them in this chapter. Aren't I sweet? Anyways, there's more to come so don't forget to review! As for Sesshoumaru seeming out of character (he's got to be nice sometime people) besides he likes Kagome for who she is, he just doesn't like what she is. Poor babies, hopefully they'll get it figured out soon. Next chapter enters the Lady Haruko. Thanks everyone for reviewing! ~