This is how we are gonna do this: there will be story A and story B. In your review for this chapter, you will vote and I will make up my mind according to you.
Summary A:
Title: Secrets
Rating: M
Sesshomaru and his "companions" are living back in his manor where there are many secrets. Sesshomaru and Hanako have been secretly together for a while and luckily no one has become suspicious. Both of them are happy, and nothing can bring them down, right? Wrong.
Because of Hanako's carelessness with her journal, someone knows. Someone knows everything about her and Sesshomaru and threatens to reveal it all, unless Hanako can give this someone the one thing he wants most: herself.
Will she go through all of the unbearable pain for Sesshomaru's sake, or save herself from so much but let Sesshomaru's reputation rot?
Summary B:
Title: The Days It Didn't Rain
Rating: T (may become M)
Hanako's new friend Nani has an obsession: Sesshomaru. She would do anything to get him, and he is all she thinks about day and night. But Sesshomaru is Hanako's, obviously.
But Nani can do things that no other demon can do. When she seems to have made Sesshomaru sink his lowest, Hanako declares them over. Now he is open to her, but nothing works.
Sesshomaru knows that it was not his fault, but Hanako refuses to listen to him. She saw what she saw, and that was that. Will she ever find out the truth?
What should I do?
do story A, and not B
do story B, and not A
A)do A first, and then Bdo B first, and then A
Chapter 21: Stalker"It's getting late," Kagome commented, "We should really get to sleep. We have along day tomorrow"
Sango nodded in agreement.
"Can I listen to your CD player before I go to sleep again, Kagome?" Hanako asked.
"Sure. You remember where all the buttons are, right?"
"Yup. I memorized them." Hanako beamed with pride. Kagome smiled and handed her the portable CD player and climbed into her sleeping bag. Sango slipped under her wool blanket next to Miroku and Inuyasha watched them all from a tree. Hanako looked up at him.
"By the way, Lord Inuyasha," she said, "Thank you for the blanket and pillow. It was quite nice of you to give them to me!"
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. "Blanket? Pillow? What the hell are you talking about?"
Hanako cocked her head to one side. "You mean it wasn't you who gave them to me while I was asleep?"
"No."
She stared down at them. Then who did? She shrugged and spread out the blanket and rested her head on the pillow. It didn't matter where they came from really, as long as they kept her warm. But she still did wonder who had draped them over her that night. She put on the headphones and pressed the "play" button. The song she had heard before, which she had found out the title was "White Houses", filled her ears and she relaxed immediately. Her eyes gradually closed, and her mind drifted elsewhere.
(…)
Sesshomaru pushed away branches from trees. He peered around slowly at Inuyasha and his comrades. He spotted Hanako under a tree, with Chika's pillow and blanket that he had given to her the previous night. Ever since he had hit Chika, she had not complained about them since. He walked over sleeping mortals, and over to Hanako. He listened to her breathing. Good. She was asleep.
She always looked so innocent when she was asleep, her face appearing peaceful and sweet, rolled up on her side curled up in a little ball. Her hands were cupped close to her. Now she appeared different since she had braided her hair. She looked like a little doll, one that would be owned by a small child.
He did not like to have to do this. Part of him constantly worried for her out here all by herself without being able to ensure her safety. Because of this, he came to check on her, to clear his conscience.
He gazed at her for long moments. No noise could be heard except for her quiet, deep breaths.
Suddenly, her face winced slightly. It no longer looked peaceful, but plagued with misery. Sesshomaru watched her closer.
"Lord Sesshomaru…" she spoke silently.
His eyes widened. Was she awake? No, she was asleep, but still saying his name. She was talking in her sleep about him. Was she dreaming about him?
"Why… why did you leave me… why did you… betray my trust…?" she murmured.
He stared down at her, the words scraping at him more and more. He was sorry for what he did. So sorry. He would never find it in himself to tell her. He had hoped that she would have understood somehow.
She clutched the pillow tighter, and then let go, the misery in her face drifting back to a peaceful expression. Something fell out of her hand.
He stared at it. It was a piece of that little jingle bell collar.
He had forgotten about the collar. He pulled it out of his pocket. He had kept it incase she had ever wanted it back for some reason. It was still torn and battered from when she had ripped it. A little piece of the ribbon was missing from one of the ends where the ribbon was fraying. The piece she had must have been from it.
Then did that mean that she was not mad at him after all? She had forgiven him, but too stubborn to say anything?
She was once more silent. He sat down before her. It was strange, but he enjoyed watching her sleep. Her deep breaths captivated his ears once more. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale…
He found himself lost in a gaze; he could not stop looking at her. He became unaware of everything else around him. She was the only thing there.
Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale…
He felt his heartbeat quicken, all of those thoughts and desires that he always tried to avoid clouding his common sense. A certain warmth overcame his heart. He for once welcomed it.
Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale…
All too soon, her eyes fluttered open. She blinked a little bit and rubbed her eyes. She jumped at the sight of him staring at her.
Snap! Back to reality. He backed away from her. The last thing he expected was for her to wake up.
"L-lord Inuyasha!" she shouted, "W-wake up! Somebody! Please!" She looked about franticly for someone to respond to her.
Inuyasha's eyes opened and he moved his head up forward. Sesshomaru stood in the middle of all of them. He cursed himself for his own delayed reaction. Inuyasha had seen him and there was no chance of running away. He felt humiliation overcome him.
They all awoke, staring at him. He glared at them, and then to Hanako. She was actually afraid that he was going to hurt her while she was asleep.
"What? Why are you here, Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha yelled, standing up. "Haven't you done enough?"
Kagome sat up in her sleeping bag, Shippo falling off her lap. "What's going on?" she asked.
Hanako clutched the blanket close to her and edged away from him. "I woke up… and that was looking at me!" She gazed at him with big, fearful, shining eyes.
She was scared of him. She was actually afraid that he would hurt her. He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped himself before he had the chance to.
Kagome understood why he had come. He had most likely missed Hanako and wanted to see her so badly, without her being angry, and so he came while she was asleep. It amazed her that Sesshomaru was capable of these kinds of emotions. She looked upon him with compassion.
"What the hell do you think you're doing," Inuyasha yelled, "Some of us in this world are trying to sleep! Why don't you do us a favor and leave!"
For once, Inuyasha may have had a point. There was nothing more Sesshomaru felt like doing then just walking away. He turned around and walked away through the bushes. They all watched him leave.
"All of you go back to bed," Inuyasha said, "He won't be coming back."
Sesshomaru began to turn his head to look back at her, but regained his senses and kept his face forward. He slipped the collar back in his pocket. It was no use. She would never look at him the same way again. He should just give up and leave her with Inuyasha.
He couldn't give up.
(…)
Hanako stared at her own reflection in the water in a bucket. Her hair had waved out a little too much. She took a comb from the ground and ran it through her hair slowly. It straightened and flattened out just enough. Perfect.
"We're leaving, Hanako!" Sango shouted to her, "Hurry up!"
"Oh, I'm sorry! I'm coming!"
She ran up to meet them. They began walking again. Inuyasha grumbled to himself.
"Damn, Kagome," he exclaimed, "You haven't sensed any sacred jewel shards in a while, have you?"
She shook her head. "No, none. Naraku seems to have been lying low lately. Pretty suspicious…"
Miroku shook hid head. "He must be coming up with something…"
Hanako nodded and pretended to know what they were all talking about. She had heard about the Shikon Jewel from maids in her old lord's manor, but why would they be looking for it? The maids had been talking about how everyone should stay away from it. She decided to stay quiet.
In the distance, there was a dark cloud looming over half the sky. Thunder was just barely audible and a cold wind blew in their faces. A storm was moving in toward them.
"How long do you think it will take for that storm to get here?" Sango asked.
"It will most likely come at the end of the day" Miroku answered, "So we better have a warm place to stay before that."
Damn rain… Inuyasha thought to himself.
(…)
Sesshomaru could smell her again. He hadn't even meant to find her this time. But her scent was pure and bold, leading directly straight forward. He wanted to see her again, but at the same time did not. She seemed to have feared him at the episode last night. And how angry she would be if he came into her sight again!
He became annoyed with himself. It was too much trouble to have to worry about other people's feelings and wants. When had he decided that he even cared?
He would not care. He was going to see her again whether she liked it or not. The fact that he wanted so much to see her again no longer concerned him or troubled him at all. That was just the way it was, but no one else would ever know that sad truth.
He continued to walk straight, Jaken with Chika on Aun and Rin next to them following him with watchful eyes, paying close attention to his movements so they would not be left behind. He hated being watched so closely. He could feel all pairs of eyes locked onto him.
He stopped immediately when he saw Inuyasha and his mortal girl wench leading the way. The demon slayer and the monk walked together behind them, the little fox demon perched on the slayer's shoulder. And behind them was…
A girl with wavy hair. Hanako. He blinked a few times and got over the strange shock.
Jaken stopped directly behind him in mid step. "That's… that's not Inuyasha is it?" He remembered the previous day when they had come to Inuyasha and his companions. Hanako had been so angry, and he did not want to face them all again.
Rin squinted her eyes. "It is! And there is Hanako-chan! With curly hair!" she exclaimed. Hope arose in her heart that maybe Hanako had forgiven him by now.
Chika looked up, a now rather large bruise on the side of her face, and gaped and the people walking in the distance. She could already sense the trouble.
I get it now, Chika thought, Sesshomaru is following her on purpose! He wants her back so badly…
Sesshomaru began to walk forward to them. Jaken turned to him with a look of pure shock. Sesshomaru was so determined, which was quite strange.
"Lord Sesshomaru! You are not going over to them, are you?"
Sesshomaru did not respond to him. He had only one thing on his mind now.
Kagome let the cold air whip through her thick black hair. She held it out of her face so the strands would not stray into her mouth. She turned around.
Sesshomaru was coming right toward them.
"Um… Inuyasha…" she murmured, tapping on his shoulder, "You may want to see this…"
"What is it, Kagome?" Inuyasha said, turning around to her. She pointed in Sesshomaru's direction. Inuyasha's eyes widened.
Sesshomaru continued to walk toward them. Inuyasha glared at him.
"Don't you know when you've lost?" Inuyasha snickered. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. His brother's immaturity was most irking to him.
Sesshomaru turned to Hanako, who was pretending he wasn't there so she wouldn't have to look at him. "Hanako," he said, "Must you continue to resist me?"
Hanako said nothing. She still remembered her vow of no longer knowing him, and so she would never acknowledge his presence. She looked at something else far in the distance. She admired the green trees and the bird fluttering over them.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Sesshomaru, you really don't get it, do you?" He went over to
Hanako. "Hanako, I know you are ignoring him, but for just a moment could you do me a favor and tell him to get lost? Maybe he'll listen to you" He pushed her over to him by the shoulders. Her wavy hair hid most of her face, but Sesshomaru could see her hateful eyes shooting him the coldest look he had ever received in his life.
"No one wants you here," she stated simply, "You are only wasting your precious goddamn time. I hate you."
Sesshomaru felt his stomach churn. He couldn't stand to see her angry with him anymore. It was the first time in his life he had ever felt like he had done something really wrong.
"Get it now, idiot?" Inuyasha growled, halfway noticing his brother's hurt face, but also halfway ignoring it, "You lose. She hates you now. She is staying here." He chuckled a little bit. "But I guess I can't really blame you for being so pissed off," he began, "I have the sword you want, and now I have the girl you want!" He laughed at him. Sesshomaru's temper flared. He was sick of people testing his everlasting patience and disrespecting him. He felt his anger boil over the surface. His face twisted into anger. Hanako watched with amusement.
"I am in no mood Inuyasha," he snarled, "to deal with your pathetic attitude." Sesshomaru drew his sword. "I will not go easy on you, I can promise you that. This ends now"
"Fine with me!" Inuyasha yelled, drawing the Tetsusaiga, "It will end here!"
Hanako finally grasped what was going on. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were going to fight each other. Fear arose in her and she backed away, along with Sango and Miroku and Kagome, Shippo quivering behind all of them.
Hanako became increasingly worried. Not for Inuyasha, but Sesshomaru…