"A Heart's Immaculence"
Disclaimer: In no way do I own Inuyasha or other characters which are related. (You know, I'm getting tired of writing this, but I have to.)
Author's Note: Thank you, my beautiful reviewers! Arigato! Gracias! Merci! Saying thank you just isn't enough, but it's the best I can do. I won't say much this time because I want to get right into the story, which I'm sure you all are ready to read anyway. Let's see, what will Sesshomaru do now that Kagome has basically made the first move to get close to him? What exactly is going through his mind? I don't know what to say anymore, so I guess I'll let my words speak for me. Warning: long descriptions again in this chapter, but the chapter is shorter than the previous ones! There are going to be two parts to this, so I hope you all don't mind. Things are only going to get more interesting though, so please don't get too impatient.
Chapter 13 (Part I)
Sitting against a tree under the same blazing moon which had soused him in its light many times before, Sesshomaru fled to that part of himself that only he was allowed entrance to. The drawbridge belonging to that fortress around his heart lowered itself and beckoned him to run inside. He searched within its protective walls for safety but found it was beginning to debacle before him, stone by stone, the outside fires slowly scorching the barrier meant to save him from harm. As this magnificent structure was collapsing within him, Sesshomaru smashed the fallen pieces with his confusion, rummaging through the debris for an explanation as to the reason the battle between his heart and mind had not yet ceased.
He was in disbelief as to what had occurred moments ago, wondering if what he had experienced was at all genuine or a fabrication of his mind, created for his own amusement, remembering the wood sprites and briefly placing the blame on them. However, he had enough instincts to realize what he felt for Kagome then and what he was feeling for her now was not an illusion. Of course he did not expect it to demolish his internal defenses so suddenly. He was outstandingly skilled in repelling such forces of emotion, but in this round, in this savage game of fate, he feared he was not going to be victorious. The strategies he utilized that were successful in making him triumphant were no longer reliable, and his mind was losing the competition, his heart prevailing ever so subtly.
His memory reversed itself to that particular scene when Kagome was without clothes, and he was ashamed he had been present to view the young woman in such a delicate and fragile state. Although he had not seen her fully, his eyes perceiving only the upper half of her, he found the entire event distasteful and unpleasing. His amber rings of vision had never been exposed to a sight as awkward and as tremendous as that, for even though his noble, aristocratic maturity kept him restrained and helped him to maintain his respectability, there was that part of him which thrashed wildly, begging to be released. That was the side of him he had no desire to unleash, at least not yet and not to just anyone, for there was a time and place for certain actions to uncoil themselves. Unfortunately, Kagome was making it immensely difficult for him, and he hoped the last day she had left to travel with him would arrive quickly. He had never had to struggle, as powerful as his demonic powers were, and it was absolutely baffling for him to admit that a young mortal woman was causing him so much turmoil.
As the night progressed, Sesshomaru wondered what Kagome was doing and hoped Jaken would clean his white boa properly so that the girl's scent was no longer on it, yet he did not see how that would make a difference since her soft aroma still lingered on his clothes when she had tried them on. He himself felt naked without the fluffy piece of clothing resting around his shoulder. It was his pillow and blanket when he slept, but he had to do without it for the night, and there was no sense in complaining about the inconvenience of it. Somehow he felt lonely where he was, since he was used to sleeping with his companions in the same area. He always slept near Rin in order to protect her, but he always kept his distance from Jaken, his intuition persuading him to do so, a slight bit of discomfort begetting him to keep away from his loyal servant. Though he feared for Rin's safety, especially at the hands of Kagome, he could not sleep there, knowing she would make him restless and cause him to remain awake until daylight.
Leaning his head deeper into the tree, Sesshomaru eased his mind and focused on falling asleep, forgetting about all that had transpired that day. Closing his eyes, he felt drowsy and was surprised it had overcome him as rapidly as it did. He breathed in the night air and the surrounding scents of nature, and slowly his mind relaxed and became a vast, black space. With his thoughts no longer under his control, the darkness welcomed the arrival of dreams, an array of colorful images displaying themselves before Sesshomaru's conscience.
The first image was a wonderful sight to behold, a comforting but nostalgic outline of one who possessed the power to make Sesshomaru fall to his knees in veneration and adoration. It was the great dog demon, his beloved father, dressed in his battle attire which gleamed under the midday sun, his stature bold and elegant, strong and unflinching. His face held the expression of a noble and confident ruler, but his eyes carried a plethora of compassion, kindness and goodness. He was standing on a hill looking at his kingdom in the most calm and tranquil manner, and then he turned around and looked at Sesshomaru with a smile. Sesshomaru returned his father's smile with his own, a facial gesture he rarely gave anyone except those he most dearly and secretly cared for. The great dog demon came closer to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, but as he was about to speak to him, another figure emerged and stood a few feet away.
The form of a human woman clothed in the most lovely robes remained where she was, the wind blowing through the several layers of purple, red and green cloth she wore over her slender body, the gold embroidery used to stitch the design of Sakura blossoms on her sleeves emitting a light of their own, looking as if they had life, their petals moving with the passing wind. Her raven hair was loose about her shoulders and the length of it complimented her beautiful face perfectly. She had the graceful and dainty appearance fit for a princess such as herself, yet she also held a strength of will all her own. Sesshomaru's smile faded the instant she had arrived, and her kindness did not appease his anger. She walked towards him, a halo of virtue and benevolence surrounding her, and she reached out to embrace him. However, Sesshomaru turned his gaze from her, yet she endeavored to turn his eyes to look into hers, touching his face with both her hands. Sesshomaru received her touch with a cold indifference, and he pushed her hands away from him, turning his back on her.
With a sad expression on her pearlescent face, the woman named Izayoi flew into the arms of her dog demon lord and husband, tears descending both sides of her crimson cheeks, the droplets of her soul falling into the green grass, moistening the ground with a special rain brewed by an injured heart. Sesshomaru's father comforted his wife affectionately, caressing her hair with the softest touch as if were made of the most fragile fibers. He then looked at his son with sad, painful eyes, shaking his head as a sign of disapproval and heartache.
Darkness. The image had vanished but another one followed immediately after.
A long, open stretch of land appeared and there were many demons fighting each other. It was a battle, and different species of demons were entangled together in a struggle between life and death. Sesshomaru did not recognize the war that was raging within the Western Lands, and he did not recall participating in it, which was confusing for him since he never failed to be at his father's side to help him during a crisis whenever a battle broke out. He ran through the crowd of demons, pushing them away with his arm, using his whip to strike at anyone who came in his way, pulling out his Tokijin when the fighting became more violent. He looked around for his father but did not find him on the battlefield. Then there was the sound of roaring fire, and it caused his ears to burn as though they were in direct contact with the flames. He turned towards the east and saw the extraordinary body of his father in his true demon form, but although he was a magnificent sight to see, he was also the most fearsome creature to observe. Sesshomaru was relieved to see his father alive, but he could tell by the manner in which he moved that he was severely injured. He was about to transform into his own demonic form to aid his father, but for some unknown reason he was unable to. Looking back to see his father, another enormous figure emerged, and the sound of fire was heard again, this time the fiery flames came into view. Sesshomaru saw the creature was not a demon at all but a dragon known as Ryoukotsai. As a son concerned for the life of his father, Sesshomaru desperately wanted to be with him, yet again he was prevented, his feet frozen to the ground, making him unable to move. All Sesshomaru could do was watch his father being pushed, beaten, burned and clawed by this ferocious enemy. His father was bleeding profusely from his wounds, and all he could do was watch him as he was dying moment by passing moment.
Darkness. This image had vanished as well.
Another image.
A single Sakura tree in the middle of a grassy field. The petals from each pink blossom were falling to the ground randomly in melodic motion, soft and gentle, one by one, falling and landing, landing and resting still.
Darkness. A following image.
The Sakura tree was now red, and the petals had become large red drops of blood, and they fell to the ground but in a swift, sliding motion, spilling from the branches, splashing to the earth.
Darkness.
Sesshomaru waited for the next image to present itself, but not another one followed.
There was nothing else his mind wanted to show him, his chest of dreams empty for the time being. He was fully conscious to the outside world, but he did not want to open his eyes, afraid he would see something that might disturb him and cause him unwanted alarm. The clarity of his dreams bothered him and he did not know what might have caused him to have them. He had dreams before but not of this nature, and not so deep and emotional.
Sensing the reality of his situation, Sesshomaru silently reprimanded himself for being childish and hesitant to open his eyes, but as he was about to lift his rouge-colored lids, an intoxicating scent he had now come to find distinctly pleasurable, like the most fragrant perfume, engulfed his senses.
It's her again, Sesshomaru thought inside the darkness of his mind.
Kagome's scent had that soothing effect he needed now, his mind filled with anxiety and apprehension. He did not want to frighten her by suddenly opening his eyes, so he decided to remain still as though he were asleep.
Why is she here? he asked himself.
All was eerily silent except for both of them breathing, and he waited to feel the relaxing sensation his body experienced when Kagome's breath flowed inside him. But as he was soaking in her essence for a second time, Sesshomaru felt a new sensation arise from the outer layering of his skin. There was a light, warm and cushioned pressure on his cheek, the side of Kagome's palm reminding him of the inner smoothness of a seashell. His mind chided him for allowing her to touch him, but he ignored it, his body's response overpowering his sense of reason. He was not in a disposition to argue with his mind, for the feelings he was now having far exceeded the excitement he would have had debating his current experience with a human woman.
Sesshomaru soon felt another rippling sensation as Kagome moved even closer to him, her hand now touching his hair, her fingers entangling themselves at the ends of his silver tresses, then moving upward to towards his head. They remained there momentarily but quickly glided to rest on his forehead. She moved his bangs away, and he liked the way his own hair brushed the top part of his face, Kagome's touch so light and airy, sweeping it away as gently as the wind. An even more tantalizing feeling came over him when Kagome traced his crescent moon mark with her finger, and he was no longer able to keep his curiosity at bay, the explosive impression left on his body and heart by that one bit of sensitivity provoking him to remove himself from the dark.
Although I sense it is her, how can it be that this mortal girl has awaken the dormancy of my soul? Sesshomaru thought incredulously. I cannot be trustful of my instincts unless I see for myself that she is the one touching me. Perhaps I am under a spell. Perhaps not. But I must know.
Sesshomaru then opened his eyes and saw that it truly was Kagome positioned in front of him, but she had stopped touching him and was not looking at him, her mind in deep thought. She appeared surprised and in shock for some reason he did not know, but he kept his expression calm and normal, making sure he did not reveal to her the pleasant feelings she was giving him.
Kagome turned and looked at him, her dark eyes melting before him in a concoction of beauty and sumptuousness. She bit her lip and bent her head, removing her gaze from him again, her mind in continuing in thought. It was clear to him she was considering heavily on a matter only she alone was meant to deal with, but he was curious to know what it was, and whether or not it concerned him.
Finally, Kagome had made her decision, lifting her head and looking straight into Sesshomaru's eyes with an intense determination he had not seen in them before. She moved even closer to him, and his own body did not move away from her, and Kagome herself was surprised that he did not do so. Leaning her head forward, her face a little above his, cradling his face between her hands, she bent down and laid the sweetest and most innocent imprint of affection on his forehead, her long hair like a curtain closing around her face. Sesshomaru inhaled the fragrance of her hair, which smelled like a mixture of earthly spices.
After kissing his forehead, Kagome kept her hands on his face and proceeded downward, her lips moving down to be at level with his nose. She paused there for a moment as if preparing for the next step in presenting him with her tender demonstration, and he was unsure of whether he himself was willing to receive it or give one in return. However, Sesshomaru did not have the opportunity to dwell on the thought, for Kagome moved her face again, this time her lips equally aligned with his but still not touching. Slowly she began to move forward, a satisfied smile on her countenance, and she then closed her eyes, her long lashes inviting and sensuous. Sesshomaru was unable to escape Kagome's hold on his senses, and he did not desire to push her away as he had done before. Instead he remained frozen, awaiting the intimacy he had never had with anyone.
Suddenly Sesshomaru gasped in alarm, sensing something rushing forth from the darkness of the forest, positioning itself behind Kagome, and before she could press her lips against his, before their souls could unite, she was roughly pulled away from him, her hair snapping back from her face by the force which snatched her. A rush of wind was heard and the sound of tearing flesh echoed in his ears. He then heard Kagome's gasp of pain as she fell to the ground, her back having several slash marks on it, the blood seeping from the wounds like an uncontrollable flood, turning her skin red, dampening her silken hair and the ground underneath.
"Kagome," Sesshomaru whispered, saying her name for the first time.
He looked up to see who it was who had mortally injured her, and when he did the sight of the familiar face shocked him in the most excruciating way.
Silver hair. Hungry, red eyes. Sharp fangs and claws. A bright red kimono.
"Inuyasha!" Sesshomaru said, his shock converting into rage.
Inuyasha, in his full-blooded demon form, stared at Sesshomaru with an unrecognizable, evil smile.
The darkness around Sesshomaru was now darker, and he was soon blinded, not by the night but by a vehemence that moments before had not existed until now.
Yes, this chapter was really short, but you must forgive me for that. I barely had time to write this one, so I managed the best way I could to at least give you all something to read before the real nitty-gritty parts of the story begin. So what do you all think or this chapter? I can imagine what some of you are thinking. Let me just say this: Not everything is as it seems. Keep that in mind when you read my next chappie! I'll update again real soon. I hope I have you all in suspense again. Like I said, things are really starting to boil and the plot continues to thicken as I speak. Please continue reviewing. I need your reviews! I depend on them! I live for them! Okay, I'm getting carried away!