Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Sesshoumaru sat at the crest of a small hill, his eyes staring intently at the ground in front of him. Now that his temper had cooled, he felt a little foolish. He flopped back in the grass and brought his arms up behind his head. The sky stretched on seemingly forever above him. He thought he heard a faint whisper on the wind. He closed his eyes and listened intently.
Flashback
"Mother, why does Father put up with the Southern lord?" Sesshoumaru asked. He and Hiromi were sitting in the branches of a large sakura tree, the full moon shining between the flower petals. Both were dressed in formal clothes. Sounds and smells of the party they were avoiding drifted out to them.
"Politics, Sess," Hiromi answered. "The deadly dance of politics."
"I do not like the way he looks at either of you. Being near him makes me feel…dirty somehow." Hiromi looked over to Sesshoumaru.
"Like how?"
"It's hard to explain. It is just a bad feeling I get from him."
"I understand. I get the same feeling."
"Does Father?"
"No, but I have told him. You inherited a very high sixth sense from me, so you will be more apt to feel things from people. When you meet a person for the first time, remember the feeling you get from them."
"Why?"
"Because it just may tell you something about them."
End Flashback
Sesshoumaru opened his eyes and swallowed the lump in his throat. The more he remembered of her, the more he cherished his mother. He thought back to what she said. Trust your first feeling of a person. His very first impression of Suichiro was flawed because of the jewel controlling him. Other than that, he hadn't felt anything in particular about Suichiro. Nothing good, yet nothing bad. Sesshoumaru sighed and let his thoughts drift.
- - -- -
In the morning, Suichiro dropped from the tree, careful not to wake Shippou. He laid Shippou next to Kagome and tracked Sesshoumaru to the hill. Sesshoumaru was still laying down, but he twisted his head around to look at Suichiro. He sat up and turned around as Suichiro kneeled before him. "Sit, please," Sesshoumaru said. Suichiro sat stiffly.
"I have come to apologize, my lord," Suichiro said. "It was not my place to speak that way."
"Nor was it my place to act as I did. We were both at fault and I hope you will accept my apology as well." Sesshoumaru smiled and got to his feet. "The others will be waking soon."
"Are they truly heading south?"
"That is the way it would seem." Suichiro nodded and followed a few paces behind Sesshoumaru. As predicted, when they reached camp, Inuyasha had already woken the rest of the group. Suichiro bowed to Inuyasha but stayed by Sesshoumaru's side. Inuyasha gave him a weird look. Rin ran over, Ah-Uhn close behind.
"Good morning, Sesshoumaru-sama!" she said excitedly. He laid a hand on her head.
"Good morning, Rin." She grinned wide and latched onto his leg. He shook his head and laughed. A few feet away, Kagome smiled at the sound of Sesshoumaru's laugh. She suddenly stopped her packing and stared off into space, thinking about something. She wandered over and looked up at Suichiro.
"How are you feeling?" she asked him.
"I am fine, Lady Kagome," he answered, a little surprised.
"Did you want to rest for another day?" Inuyasha's ears perked up.
"No! We're not stopping again!" Kagome glared at him over her shoulder. Inuyasha gulped.
"We'll stop when I say, you jerk! SIT!" She nodded in satisfaction as Inuyasha plummeted to the ground. Kirara, in her human form, crouched beside him and whispered to him. "Now, I repeat my question. Would you like to stop for another day?" Suichiro shook his head.
"No, Lady Kagome, I am fine." Kagome shrugged.
"If you're sure." She went back to finish packing. When she finished, she stood and winced a little. "Ah-Uhn, would you mind carrying this? I'm not feeling too good." Ah nodded and with Miroku's help, the bag was strapped to Ah-Uhn's back. "We're waiting, Inuyasha." Inuyasha picked up his head to say something smart, but Kirara covered his mouth with her hand.
"Ah-ah, now. Don't provoke her today, k?" Kirara said. Inuyasha glared at her, but nodded his consent. When the group started walking, Sango walked beside Kagome.
"Are you all right?" Sango asked. Kagome gave her a pointed look and Sango giggled. For the first time that day, Kagome's scent drifted back to Sesshoumaru and Suichiro. They blushed a little, careful to hide it. Kagome had PMS.
Tami: I liiiive! ducks from angry readers I know! I know! A whole year. I should be whapped. I'm sorry. Forgive me! But, I'm back on track now, and more chapters, along with a new story about Sess' background will be coming. The contest that was being held has been canceled. Sorry.