Chapter 4: The Black Pearl
Kaori woke up and found herself in darkness. She turned over and tried to fall back asleep, but couldn't. The doorbell then rang and Kaori cussed in a whisper before getting up and going downstairs. Sesshomaru sat in silence and didn't move when Kaori passed or even when the doorbell rang.
She went to the door and opened it, rubbing her eyes. Yori stood at her doorway, smiling.
"Kaori! We're having a party! Join us!" Yori told her.
"Yori?" Kaori asked quietly. "What time is it?"
"It's two o'clock! Party time!" Yori exclaimed.
"Keep it down. I'm not joining you. Go alone," Kaori told her, slightly grumpy.
Yori looked at what Kaori was wearing and giggled. "Did I interrupt anything?" Yori asked.
"Excuse me?" Kaori asked then looked at her clothes. She held her arms and shook her head no.
"Fine, see you tomorrow. Tell you all about the party," Yori told Kaori.
Kaori nodded and closed the door, locking it also. She turned around and was pushed up against the door. Kaori's eyes were heavy and struggled in the dark with what was pushing her against the door. The light flicked on and Sesshomaru's face was inches away from Kaori's. She couldn't slap him like she wanted to because her hands were pinned. He didn't look as awake as he usually was.
"Sesshomaru?" Kaori asked, her eyes slits and hard to see. She was falling asleep pinned against a door.
"Kaori? What are you doing?" Sesshomaru asked, releasing Kaori, having her fall forward.
He caught her quickly and brought her over to the couch. Before he could ask her what she was doing, Kaori had fallen asleep. He sighed and laid her carefully down on the couch. He put his leather jacket that was on a hook nearby over her to keep her warm and sat on a chair, watching over her.
He couldn't believe it. He had fallen asleep. Him, the great Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands. How, he didn't know. All he knew was that his eyes had shut and he fell asleep. He had awaken to voices downstairs and no Kaori in her bed. He went down to see someone close the door. He didn't know who was at the doorway, but he decided to pin them up in case they were evil. He flicked the light switch up and found out it was Kaori, half-asleep. He was going to question her why she was downstairs, but she was too tired. Sesshomaru looked over at Kaori sleeping on the couch. She looked so peaceful. It was almost angelic.
The sun rose and beeping was heard upstairs. Kaori rolled over and fell off the couch. She mumbled something into the couch and got up. She rubbed her eyes and saw Sesshomaru heading upstairs. She hurried to follow him and saw him enter her room and stare at the alarm clock. Kaori went around him and shut it off. He picked it up and sniffed. It had Kaori's scent all over it. He caught Kaori staring at him and he put it down.
"You need to get something to eat," he told her.
She sighed and followed Sesshomaru downstairs to the kitchen. Her hand was better and she removed bandage while sitting at the table. It wasn't bleeding, but a huge scar was forming. She clenched and unclenched her hand a few times, then got a bowl and cereal. Pouring milk on the cereal, she munched on it, still half asleep. She looked over at Sesshomaru and saw him looking out of the window.
"Are you hungry?" Kaori asked.
"No," he told her coldly.
"Fine," Kaori told him, finishing her breakfast. She went upstairs and started getting changed into the clothes she was going to wear that day. She also packed some clothes in a backpack and some random stuff like her jewellery box, perfume, and towels. She headed downstairs and saw Sesshomaru turned swiftly to her. She looked good.
She chose to wear a pink, long sleeved shirt that showed her mid drift. She chose to wear pants this time; blue jeans to be exact. She wore no socks because she was planning wear sandals that day. She had slipped on a ring that had a diamond in it. She had pulled her brown hair into a ponytail that swayed every time she walked. She had her backpack in hand and placed it on the counter. She went through the cupboards to find some food to bring on their journey. She got a few "Instant Ramen" containers, some chopsticks, soup, and bottles of water. She also packed essentials: matches, first aid kit, and flashlight. She turned to Sesshomaru and smiled. He was just watching her gather all this stuff and watched as she flung the bag over her shoulders. She nearly fell over. She had packed too much!
Sesshomaru took the bag off her shoulders and carried it in his hands. He didn't explain anything to her, which caused Kaori some confusion. She slipped her black sandals on and walked outside. She then instantly remembered something she almost forgot. She got her keys as well as an umbrella and coat. She stuffed them in quickly and gave the bag back to Sesshomaru with a smile. She locked the door and put the keys in a small pocket in the backpack. Then they headed to the well.
Kaori hadn't been here in three days and laughed at how she had pushed Sesshomaru down the first time he traveled. Sesshomaru nearly floated down while Kaori made a leap. They ended up in the same place at the same time. Kaori was about to climb out, but Sesshomaru stopped her. He put a finger to his lips and sniffed the air. Kaori stood in the bottom of a well with Sesshomaru, awaiting whatever Sesshomaru was waiting for.
"Hey, Inuyasha, look! A well!" A woman's voice called out.
"You wench! Get back here!" Inuyasha called out.
Before Kaori had a chance to react, Sesshomaru had grabbed her around the waist and carried her out of the well. She landed swiftly and Sesshomaru stepped away, dropping the backpack next to Kaori. Kaori just stood there, wondering why Sesshomaru was acting so odd.
"Inuyasha!" A girl called out. She seemed distressed.
"Kagome! Wait up!" Inuyasha yelled. He stumbled through the woods and saw Sesshomaru and Kaori. Kagome walked out, her hand hold something they hanged around her neck.
"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru said.
"Sesshomaru," Inuyasha hissed.
"Sesshomaru what's-" Kaori started.
"Quiet," Sesshomaru ordered, taking a step towards Inuyasha.
Inuyasha then looked at Kaori and smirked. The new girl of Sesshomaru's affections.
"Hey, Sesshomaru. She your new love?" Inuyasha asked.
Sesshomaru just glared.
"Inuyasha, be quiet," Kagome ordered.
"Kagome?" Inuyasha asked.
"It seems your wench is smarted than you," Sesshomaru said coldly.
"Shut up!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Sesshomaru, he has-" Kaori started.
"Be quiet," Sesshomaru ordered.
"Listen to me. He has-" Kaori said slightly annoyed.
"I told you to be quiet," Sesshomaru said, not looking at her.
"Shut up! He has the black pearl!" Kaori yelled.
"He what?" Sesshomaru asked.
"I have what?" Inuyasha asked.
"In his eye!" Kaori exclaimed.
"You head back to the village. I'll get it for you," he told her, pushing her away. "Now go!"
"But Sesshomaru-" Kaori started.
"Go!" Sesshomaru told her, pushing her into the trees.
Inuyasha was shocked. He didn't know what the hell was going on, but it was odd. Inuyasha shook his head and unsheathed Tetsusaiga and told Kagome to stay back.
Sesshomaru took another step forward towards his brother.
"Now, Inuyasha, give me the pearl or I will it take it over your dead body," Sesshomaru threatened.
"Your threats were always empty," Inuyasha said, running at his brother. Sesshomaru jumped away and landed swiftly away from his brother.
"I see we will have to take it the hard way. And the fun way," Sesshomaru said, smirking and taking his Tokijin out. "Prepare to die."
"You know, I never get tired of hearing you say that. How many times have you said that? Ten, maybe twenty times?" Inuyasha teased, resting Tetsusaiga on his shoulder.
As Inuyasha rested, Sesshomaru swiftly moved to hold Inuyasha by the throat.
"We have been here before, no?" Sesshomaru asked.
He took two fingers and went into Inuyasha's eye to get the pearl. He allowed Inuyasha to drop and Kagome came running to his side. Just like before.
Sesshomaru twirled the pearl in his two fingers and looked down at Inuyasha. Sesshomaru was thinking about finishing Inuyasha off, but he had other plans. He walked away and towards Kaori's village, sheathing Tokijin.
Her fellow villagers were greeting Kaori, but everyone went quiet when Sesshomaru arrived.
Two humans, one a monk and the other a demon slayer, ran in front of the villagers, weapons ready. Sesshomaru recognised them as Inuyasha's friends, Miroku and Sango. He didn't give them a second look, but could hear the monk questioning him.
Kaori was held back by a few village men and she struggled to stop a battle from starting. She had seen enough fighting for one lifetime. She didn't need anymore.
Sesshomaru walked forward and Miroku decided it was time to finish Sesshomaru for once. He stuck his staff in the ground and held onto the prayer beads that closed the Wind Tunnel. Sesshomaru smirked and looked at Kaori. He saw that she had just gotten loose from the villagers' hold and was running towards him. She stood in front of the monk, arms out stretched.
"Lady Kaori, please move. We need to exterminate the demon for you," Miroku told her.
"No! I ban you from continuing. Stop!" Kaori yelled.
"Lady Kaori, please listen to the monk. He is a master," a villager pleaded.
"I'm a master as well. But I don't care. I need him to survive for me," Kaori yelled, pointing to Sesshomaru. He didn't bat an eye.
Many villagers were shocked and even Miroku and Sango were amazed. Tears were threatening to fall and Kaori turned to Sesshomaru.
"Did you get it?" Kaori asked.
"Yes," Sesshomaru said, holding up the pearl.
Kaori stepped towards him and went to take the pearl, but Sesshomaru enclosed the pearl with his palm.
"Follow me," Sesshomaru told her.
He went back into the forest and Kaori followed with all eyes on her. Sesshomaru stopped deep in the forest, sunlight just barely getting through the branches.
"Sesshomaru?" Kaori asked.
"What should happen to you if you take this pearl and become this powerful priestess?" Sesshomaru asked.
"I most likely return home permanently," Kaori answered.
"Will you be able to stay?" Sesshomaru asked.
"My lord?" Kaori asked.
Sesshomaru shook his head. "Call me what you have been calling me since you were young," he told her.
"Sesshomaru, why do you ask?" Kaori asked.
"I do not want this power to go to waste. With good training, you will be able to control your powers. Maybe be able to defend your village without much effort," he explained.
"I could, but we have no trainers in the village. I taught the village what they know," Kaori told him.
Sesshomaru shook his head again. "You don't understand," he told her. "I will train you."
"I thought you wanted to part after I got the pearl," Kaori told him.
"That was then. This is now," Sesshomaru told her.
"Uh, so you want me to travel with you?" Kaori asked.
"Yes," Sesshomaru told her. He grabbed for her hand and placed the pearl in her open palm. "Only if you want to."
"I want to," Kaori told him, closing her hand. "And I will."
"Good. I didn't want to force you into it," he told her.
"Excuse me?" Kaori asked.
"You were going with me whether you wanted to or not. It would just be better if you did it willingly," he told her.
"Right," Kaori said, turning and walking off. "Go get my bag you left at the well."
Sesshomaru growled at her, but turned to go get it after Kaori had gotten out of sight. He met up with her in the village. Inuyasha and his friends saw Sesshomaru approach. Kaori rolled her eyes at them and grabbed Sesshomaru's hand and dragged him to her hut. Sesshomaru held her hand as well, but once he saw Jaken inside the hut, he released her hand and sat down. Kaori was going through her bag and got out her jewellery box. She got a necklace, two bracelets, and two anklets out of it along with the little bottle with the four other pearls. Kaori carefully put the pearls in the voided places on each piece of jewellery. She finished that up and placed the five pieces of jewellery on the floor, looking at each.
Kaori looked at the bracelet that held the red pearl and slipped it on. She couldn't get the clasp on, so she just let it hang loose. She then put the bracelet that had the green pearl on and slipped it on, leaving the clasp loose as well. She sat down and put on the anklets that held the yellow and blue pearls and then looked at the black pearl. Throughout this time, she never noticed Sesshomaru was watching her carefully, admiring how smoothly she was putting the jewellery and how she did it delicately and with care. She looked at the necklace and held it in one hand. She looked up at Sesshomaru and smiled.
"Can you help me get the necklace on?" Kaori asked. Sesshomaru nodded and sat behind Kaori to put the clasp on.
This was no clasp Sesshomaru had ever seen before. He eventually got the hang of it, with some instructions from Kaori and put the clasp on the necklace and two bracelets. It was silent and Kaori looked at her bracelets and turned her hands around.
"You don't look any different," Jaken said.
"I know. I look just as I did before. But I have immense powers," Kaori told him. Kaori had explained everything to Jaken while she put the pearls in the jewellery.
"You seem to have an aroa like a demon," Sesshomaru told her. 'And a strong one at that,' Sesshomaru thought. He could feel it as soon as he put the necklace on her.
"I guess I do," Kaori said, shrugging. "Doesn't change who I am."
"You do change. You are no longer human. You are no longer a priestess. You are-" Sesshomaru said.
"Yes, I know. A powerful princess. I've heard this lecture from my father before," Kaori said with some attitude.
"Drop that tone," Sesshomaru ordered.
"I'll do what I want. You are no longer superior than me," Kaori said, standing up.
Sesshomaru glared at her and watched her walk out. He was slightly confused at why she would leave instead of tell him to leave, for she was the one who lived there, not him. He stood and was going to follow her, but Inuyasha showed up.
"Nice girl," Inuyasha said. Miroku, Kagome, Sango, Shippo and Kirara followed him into the hut.
"Hey, nice place here," Sango commented.
"Leave my lord. He is having an argument with Lady Kaori and will not be in the mood to spare your lives!" Jaken ordered. Sesshomaru just watched Inuyasha and his friends entered and he took his leave. Jaken called after his lord, then a thump was heard.
"Your lord needs to be alone, get it?" Inuyasha ordered.
"You half-breed. How would you know what my lord needs?" Jaken asked harshly.
"What do you call me?" Inuyasha asked and another thump was heard.
Sesshomaru walked away from the bickering and violence to find Kaori. She had to be somewhere nearby. She couldn't just disappear, no matter how powerful her powers were.
Her scent led to the river she had taken Sesshomaru to fives years ago to replace his bandages. The scent of tears hit Sesshomaru nose along with blood. But it didn't smell like Kaori's blood; it was more like his. A sob escaped Kaori's mouth and she sat, her knees curled to her chest, a piece of cloth in her hands.
"How could he? That inconsiderate demon! How oblivious can he be?" Kaori complained.
"Are you speaking of me?" Sesshomaru asked in a light whisper.
"What do you think?" Kaori snapped.
"May I sit?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Do what you please, Sesshomaru. I'm leaving," Kaori told him, standing.
"Sit down... Lady Kaori," he told her.
She sat down and he joined her. It was silent except for the movement of water from the river. Neither said a word, just sitting in each other's company.
"What is that in your hands?" Sesshomaru asked, once the silence had gotten to him.
"Uh, nothing," Kaori said, placing the cloth behind her.
Sesshomaru turned to her and placed a hand behind her, taking the cloth from her grasp.
"This is my bandage you use five years ago," he stated.
"No it isn't," Kaori lied.
"Do not lie to me. I haven't lied to you, so there is no reason for you to lie to me," he told her.
"True," she said.
"So, is this the bandage that was used five years ago on me?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Didn't you already confirm it?" Kaori asked. "You had stated it earlier."
Sesshomaru sighed and looked at the water.
"We are leaving tomorrow," Sesshomaru told her.
"Where to?" Kaori asked.
"Training grounds," he told her, standing up.
"Why so soon?" Kaori asked. "We could stay here for a while. Maybe have some time with your half-brother."
Sesshomaru glared at her and it was visible even in the darkness of the night.
"How do you know?" Sesshomaru demanded.
"Books at school. Pictures look exactly like him in my textbooks," Kaori told him, turning her gaze back to the water. "Look, I don't want to have to fight you throughout this training, so can't we call truce and get along like before?"
"As long as you stop arguing with me," Sesshomaru said.
"Me?" Kaori asked, standing up to face him as levelled as possible (he's very tall, even compared to Kaori).
Sesshomaru turned and walked towards the village. "I assume you can find your own way back without my assistance," he told her, while walking away.
Kaori growled at him and ran up to him. "Look, if you continue to be a jerk, I swear I'll hurt you!" Kaori yelled.
"That is not possible since you have little training," he told her.
"Shut up for once and let me talk!" Kaori yelled. They had edged the village and some villagers stopped to see what was going.
"This conversation is over, unless you want your fellow villagers to know about your feelings," he told her, continuing to walk forward.
"What do you mean 'feelings?'" Kaori asked.
"Your anger is getting shown. It is not wise," Sesshomaru told her, walking away. Kaori had stopped and he was disappearing from sight into the village. A village girl came up to Kaori and asked if she wanted to spend the night in her hut. Kaori shook her head no and walked towards her hut. Others also offered, but Kaori declined those as well. Once she entered, she found no Sesshomaru, Jaken, Inuyasha or anyone for that matter. It was empty other than her items she had in her room. She slipped her clothes off and found the shirt that Sesshomaru had given her for pyjamas the night before. She put that on, but not the sash. She slipped into the sheets as her bed and fell asleep. She was unaware that throughout this time that she had argued with Sesshomaru, a pair of eyes watched her every movement, waiting the perfect time to strike. It seemed that time would come now. Before the person could show themselves and do their plan, Sesshomaru entered the hut and the demon needed to disappear quickly not be found. 'I guess master's plans will have to wait until tomorrow,' the demon thought, returning to her master. He wouldn't be too happy.
Sesshomaru sat down away from Kaori and saw her stir once in her sleep. He didn't fall asleep this time, but he wasn't alert as usual. He was deep in thought, thinking about something he thought would never happen. His feelings.