Always Doesn't Last Forever
Chapter 8: Waking and WarningsDisclaimer: I own nothing off Inuyasha! Just the plot and any original characters!
Kagome woke the next morning feeling very warm and content. She was snuggled against a very firm and large pillow that oddly enough had an arm wrapped around her waist. Wait a minute! An arm!? She thought in a panic and snapped her eyes open to find Sesshoumaru sleeping peacefully in her bed. His face was so close to her own that their breath mingled as they breathed. Kagome's first inclination was to jump up and scream pervert and a few other things but that was before her memory caught up with her…
She dimly remembered Sesshoumaru having a nightmare last night, and how she could feel that he wanted to reach out for help but seemed resigned to the fact that no one would help, or protect him. What could haunt him so? She wondered, well aware that there was a deeper side to Sesshoumaru that few were allowed to see. Kagome hesitantly lifted her arm and gently traced the dark red striped on his face. Would you let me help you Sesshoumaru? She wanted to ask but didn't. She'd already been burned badly by Inuyasha and wasn't interested in having the same thing done to her by his brother. But you know he wouldn't… Her mind argued and Kagome frowned lightly, refusing to argue with herself.
She yawned lightly and looked over at the window, it was still early morning so they didn't need to get up yet. Why aren't you yelling and screaming at him? Why are you staying put? Kagome asked herself but, of course, she had no answer. In the end she settled back down and nuzzled his neck lightly before falling back asleep.
Sesshoumaru had awakened as soon as Kagome had but while he had been braced for her yells and screams they never came, a fact that puzzled him immensely. When she touched his face it had taken all of his hard-learned control to not react at all. Then, as if that weren't shocking enough, she had cuddled back up to him as trustingly as a week old pup!
He opened his eyed then and looked down at the human lying so, so, so trustingly in his grasp. Unfortunately, she was safe there but how she knew that was beyond him. Disturbed by his thoughts, Sesshoumaru closed his eyes to think and ended up falling asleep instead, listening to the sound of her heartbeat.
Horizon…
Rising…
Up to meet…
The purple dawn.
Dust Demon…
Screaming.
Bring an eagle to lead me on.
For in my heart,
I carry such a heavy load.
Here I am on man's road…
Walking man's road…
Walking man's road…
Inuyasha woke hearing someone singing and after glancing about the camp to make sure that everyone was alright he picked up the Tetsusaiga, strapped it to his side and went to look for whoever has singing the haunting melody. A male was singing the words with a female occasionally singing with him, but the tone was so sad and regretful that even he felt something strange tug at his soul.
I'm Hungry.
Weary…
But I cannot lay me down.
The rain comes.
Dreary…
But there's no shelter I have found.
It will be a long time,
'til I find my abode…
Here I am on man's road…
Walking man's road…
Inuyasha was having a hard time locating the singers, it was like their voices were coming from one direction and then another, and he had no scent to go on.
Moon rising.
Disguising…
Lonely streets in gay display.
The stars fade…
The night shade…
Falls and makes the world afraid…
It waits in silence for the sky to explode…
Inuyasha was getting very annoyed and then he all but stumbled into a clearing where the singers were. It was a young man with midnight black hair and emerald green eyes. His female companion had silvery blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes.
Here I am on man's road…
Walking man's road…
Walking man's road…
Walking man's road…
Walking man's road…
Walking man's road…
Walking man's road…
As the last note faded Inuyasha and the two humans stood staring at one another. "Who are you?!" Inuyasha demanded finally.
The man and woman looked at each other briefly, nodded, and then looked back at Inuyasha. Their eyes gleaming with something very close to mischief…
"Answer this we cannot…" The man began.
"… tis forbidden you see." Finished the female.
"Well what do you want then?!" Inuyasha wanted to know.
"Thee hath nothing…"
"… that we want."
"We do ask that…"
"… thee listen to our warnings."
"Unless…"
"… of course…"
"… thee would rather make an…"
"… idiot of thy self." Finished the woman.
"You two are really beginning to annoy me."
"That was our intent." She said and grinned impishly.
"Quit playing games with me!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Very well then, Inuyasha." Agreed the man. "Cease your search for Kagome. It's only a matter of time before the soul-stealer Kikyo realizes what you are doing and even if you did somehow manage to find Kagome before you should, she would not go with you."
"You're with that other guy aren't you?! Hunter or whatever his name was." Inuyasha growled.
"Mmmm… Yes and no. Hunter serves the Lady and occasionally we do." Corrected the woman.
Inuyasha sighed and bent his head down far enough so that his bangs hid his eyes from the two. "What do you want from me? To forget her… forget Kagome?" He asked, his voice a harsh whisper.
"You made your choice, Inuyasha. For a month you even rubbed it into Kagome's face but nevermore Inuyasha. She will find one who loves her for who and what she is…"
"…just as she would have loved you for who and what you are." She finished.
"But I'm supposed to protect her!" Inuyasha growled.
The woman just smiled sadly at him and shook her head. "Not any more, Inuyasha. Remember what Hunter said to you? Kagome is no longer your concern; you gave up all rights and claims to her the moment you chose Kikyo. Though you chose a creature of death instead of life is beyond my ability to understand."
"Kikyo is not a creature of death! Or a soul-stealer!" Inuyasha denied angrily.
"Truth is truth, Inuyasha." Corrected the man. "Kikyo lived only because she stole Kagome's soul from her, she continues to "live" because of the innocent souls she continues to steal and consume. As for a creature of death, her body is not made of flesh. When you sleep with her does she cry out in joy or does she lie still and perfect? Can you sense that no life will ever come of your unions together? Don't you know that life cannot be born from a womb of death?" He asked him and shook his head. "I pity you, Inuyasha. Kagome's soul will not be content to live split apart for forever, as she grows stronger so will the soul that Kikyo stole, and it's only desire is to return to Kagome."
"But I thought Kagome was Kikyo's reincarnation…" Inuyasha murmured.
"No. Kagome is her own person, never was she a reincarnation." Corrected the woman. "But our time is up now and we have to go. Inuyasha… you've still a part to play in this story but only if you desire it. Whether you choose life or death is up to you but remember to choose wisely. There are no second chances when you walk on man's road." She added. Inuyasha turned away from them for a moment and then glanced up at the sky, unsure of what she meant and what to do. But when he turned back around they were gone.
Last warning, Inuyasha… Cease your search… Echoed their voices that had been carried by the wind.
Nevermore… Nevermore…
The next time Kagome woke she was alone in the bed, but she really couldn't say that she was surprised. The relationship between her and Sesshoumaru was so… different than that she'd had with any other person. At times it was almost like he despised her, others he was incredibly kind, and then in the rare moments when he thought she wasn't watching, even vulnerable. Which was the real him? Or were they all a part of who he was… a mixture of kindness and cruelty, superiority and vulnerability, all those things and more seemed to make up the cool lord but they still did not explain the sadness and pain she had sensed in him last night.
Kagome sighed and got out of the bed so that she could bathe and get dressed. Although she was fairly sure that Sesshoumaru didn't like her, even though he'd slept right next to her, she sensed that he needed someone. But not a lover or anything like that, he needed someone who would accept him as he was; in short, he needed a friend. And although Kagome wasn't sure if she was the right person for such a… difficult task, she was willing to try; and in the end, that was all that mattered.
Just as Kagome finished dressing Hunter walked in with Rin on his shoulders and Shippo sitting on his head. Taken back by the unusual sight she stared for a moment and burst into laughter. "Oh sure, laugh it up milady." Hunter scolded teasingly and even managed a glare before he grinned. "Actually, it's a good thing as these doors are so tall otherwise we might have lost a passenger." He stated and rolled his shoulders a bit.
Rin let out a soft cry but, like Shippo, she looked to be enjoying herself immensely. "And what," Kagome began good-naturedly. "Are you three doing in my room?"
"We came to see you!" Shippo answered and leapt into her arms, making her smile.
"Did you sleep well milady?" Hunter asked, a mischievous glint in his blue eyes.
"Of course." Kagome answered.
"Sesshoumaru-sama said to Rin and Shippo and Hunter to fetch Kagome." Rin interrupted, unaware that she'd stopped a teasing remark from coming out of Hunter's mouth.
"What for?" Kagome asked curiously and Hunter opened his mouth to answer but was cut off again by one of the children.
"He didn't say why, just that he wanted to see you." Shippo answered.
Oh forget it. Hunter thought and rolled his eyes heavenward. "The Lord Sesshoumaru probably wants to speak with you about what festivities will be done today and the ball that will take place tonight. He's in his study." He said.
"Another ball?" Kagome asked in surprise and couldn't quite keep the disheartened look off her face.
Hunter laughed and nodded. "Don't worry so milady." He said and thought about last night's ball and a thoughtful look came onto his face. "Did you see anyone unusual at the ball last night?" He asked, causing Kagome to look at him in exasperation.
"Of course not Hunter," she answered sweetly. "I was only surrounded by youkai I'd never seen before in my life but they all looked normal to me."
Hunter grinned sheepishly and nodded but his thoughts were a million miles away. Last night I could have sworn that I saw them… but why would they be here? They take no orders from my Lady Fate and more often than not go up against her! He thought a bit angrily but was dragged out of his thoughts when he finally noticed Kagome watching him worriedly.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
"I'm fine milady, just lost in my thoughts for a moment." He answered and smiled at her and then winked at Shippo. "Come on boy-o, let's go outside and I'll teach you and Rin a game that people like Kagome call hide-and-seek. Only condition is I get to win." He said as Shippo jumped on his shoulder and he started heading out the door.
"No way!" Shippo yelled and Hunter's laughed echoed all the way back to Kagome's room.
"Well, Hunter's watching the children but whose watching Hunter?" Kagome asked the air and shook her head. "I think there are three children rather than two in this castle." She added and then went to Sesshoumaru's study to see what he wanted from her.
Sesshoumaru was looking over a few of his ledgers when he heard Kagome open the door to his study. "Sit." He said briefly and seemingly returned his attention back to the scrolls but was in reality studying her. For a few moments she stood and glared at him but then sat down in the chair across from his desk.
Pleased that she had done as he asked he finished the figures and wrote down the appropriate amount but left the scroll un-rolled so that the ink would have time to dry. Then he looked up at her. "You wanted to see me." She stated simply.
"You did an excellent job as a hostess last night."
"You mean despite the fact that I'm not a demon?"
"Yes." He answered and although no emotion showed on his face or eyes, he was shocked when she barely smothered a giggle. "What is so amusing?" He asked tonelessly.
"I'm sorry, Sesshoumaru," she apologized. "It's just hard to believe you mean that when you keep looking at me as though you wished I were anywhere but near you." She answered honestly.
"I did no such thing." He denied and looked at her through narrowed eyes. Did I?
"Yes, you did. Besides you can't see your face and I can so I know so." She answered logically.
Sesshoumaru looked at her disdainfully and didn't even bother to reply to that. "Did Hunter inform you that there was to be another ball tonight?"
"Yes." She answered and looked away for a moment and then back to him. "Thank you for helping me reach my room." She said sincerely.
"You already thanked me." He said tonelessly, causing her to frown.
"Did I? I don't remember…" She said thoughtfully.
"It's of no importance." Sesshoumaru said dismissively.
"To you, perhaps." She conceded with a smile. "So what else did you need me for?" She asked.
"No, you may go now." He answered tonelessly.
"Alright. I guess I'll go to the gardens and look for Shippo and Rin." She replied as she stood and began to walk towards the door. However, she stopped once she got there and turned back around to look at him. "Sesshoumaru?" She called softly.
"Yes?"
"Do you think it's better to be alone or to have friends?"
"I would not know. I have always stood alone." He answered and narrowed his eyes slightly as he studied her, wondering what she was getting at.
"That must be very lonely." Kagome replied, her eyes sad as she gazed at him. "I would be your friend, Sesshoumaru, if you would let me." She said and then quietly left the room.
"I would like that." Sesshoumaru answered softly, waiting until she'd reached the gardens before whispering his answer to the empty room…
Lady Fate frowned at the two sibling's interference. She'd wanted to punish Inuyasha when he came after Kagome but apparently the two Learians had decided to warn him off. What those two pranksters were planning was beyond her but as long as they didn't interfere with Sesshoumaru or Kagome she didn't mind. Speaking of which, those two were coming along splendidly, perhaps when Sesshoumaru was ready he would tell Kagome of his past and finally lay it to rest. And as for Kagome… she needed a female friend, someone she could confide in… But who? It was a puzzle that she'd have to work on.
~ Okay, normally I don't answer reviews since I'm on a bit of a time limit but one caught my attention because it seemed so… Out there I guess you could say… (Not in a bad way!) BurnsyBabe, I just wanted to reassure you that no, Kagome won't end up pregnant just because she and Sesshoumaru slept in the same bed. Besides, right now they're not sure if they even like each other that much! Well thanks for all the reviews guys! Till next time! Silver Destiny ~