"A Heart's Immaculence"
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyahsa!
Author's Note: Yay! I'm almost close to having 500 reviews, and who do I have to thank for that? YOU! ALL MY READERS! Hugs and kisses to all of you! And I am very proud to say that most of you were willing to guess what is the one symbolic color I am mainly using in my story. I realize it was kind of difficult to figure out since I do use a lot of color, but if you learned anything from your English class in school (please don't tell me you ignore your teacher and always take trips to dreamland while you're there!) you'll understand that certain colors stand out more than others, especially if they are repeated in the story in order to mean or represent something. Out of all of my reviewers, only two guessed correctly. Shame on the rest of you! Just kidding! I still adore you, even if you got the wrong answer. Just make sure to pay closer attention. The color comes out again in this chapter. Alright, I'd like to congratulate Wolfygirl13 and 1KenshinLover for getting the right answer! Everyone give them a hand. They really deserve it. Okay, as for me, I'm on Spring Break and have time to write a little more than I usually do, so please be patient when reading my chapter again. Please don't skip reading in certain places too. It might be lengthy but I have a lot to write this time.
Chapter 24
Sensing a jewel shard, Kagome was prepared to attack whatever demon it was that possessed it, grabbing her bow and arrow determinedly, a rush of anger spreading throughout her body. She was more than annoyed that her entire day was completely ruined by several unfortunate occurrences, first having to endure Sesshomaru's harsh treatment of her after she had lost to him in their practice battle and now his current moodiness, then Kagura and Naraku's deceptive game they forced her to participate in, the brief illness and frightening dream she experienced, and now the bothersome demon that was soon to attack. Although it was too much for her to bear, it was not as difficult as what her heart had to tolerate concerning her feelings for Sesshomaru.
Can't I enjoy my last few moments with Sesshomaru in peace, Kagome thought angrily. What other interruptions are there going to be? Will it be just as nerve-wracking tomorrow as it was today? Why can't I be happy when I'm with him just for once!
Sesshomaru and Mineko were prepared to attack this unknown demon as well, both of them standing side by side in a combative position, their fashion of doing so unique and elegant, the manner in which their bodies were posed so near each other an indication that they had been together in this type of situation before. It was as though they had a lifelong partnership, as if they had fought demons together in the past under similar circumstances. Both of their faces had the same cold, audacious, and dauntless expression. They seemed to complement each other well, not only in their demonic abilities but in how they appeared as a pair. Mineko was as graceful as Sesshomaru in the way she carried herself, and she had an aristocratic presence to her. Because she resembled him in certain gestures and mannerisms, it would seem appropriate for anyone who saw her with him to speculate that she was related to him, that she was perhaps his sister or cousin. Her beauty was as hypnotic as Sesshomaru's, and her blue/green eyes were the most alluring of her endowments, captivating and spellbinding.
With their swords drawn, Sesshomaru and Mineko stared into the forest together an awaited the demon who was almost near them. However, Kagome was the one who was more eager to kill the demon herself, moving to stand in front of them as if trying to protect them.
"Move out of the way!" said Sesshomaru coldly.
"Do not stand in our way, Kagome!" Mineko said more coldly than her master.
"No way!" Kagome said angrily. "This demon is mine! I'll kill him myself. I'm sick to death of everything that's happened today, and I'm going to show that demon who he's dealing with. Besides, he has a jewel shard in his body, and when it comes to jewel shards, that is my responsibility and no one else's!"
"What insolence!" Mineko said. "Kagome, have you no restraint on your temper? Remember you are in the presence of Lord Sesshomaru."
"He's used to my temper," said Kagome, closing one eye as she pulled the arrow along the bow all the way back as far as she could. "And he knows I can be a real pain if he gets on my bad side."
Mineko turned and stared at Sesshomaru with questioning eyes. However, Sesshomaru averted his vision from the forest to stare at Kagome with great intensity. Had his eyes been torches, they would have burned her back immediately. He disliked her fearlessness of him, and she made him feel as if he had lost his ability to incite fear in her, which was something he had enjoyed doing before his feelings for her transformed into a growing passion he was beginning to abhor the more it gallivanted inside him.
"She must be mad!" Mineko said. "That demon which is coming this way, it is too big for her to take on alone. I can tell by its scent. She will be killed instantly before she even has an opportunity to attack. Lord Sesshomaru, will you allow this girl to interfere? She is but a human."
Kagome turned around sharply to look at Mineko. "Not you too! You're going to judge me just because I'm human? You sound just like Lord Sesshomaru!"
"Why, thank you," Mineko said, smiling with pride.
"I can handle this demon on my own. Just stand back and watch me."
Kagome executed an about face and positioned her bow and arrow for the attack.
"Her confidence is admirable," Mineko said to Sesshomaru. "But it won't do her any good when she is attacked and killed."
"She won't get killed," Sesshomaru said.
"Of course not, my lord," said Mineko. "You and I will destroy that demon before it can even raise its claws on her."
"That is not what I meant."
"We must protect her, you realize. What about Rin and Jaken? If we do not kill that demon, their lives are in danger as well. Kagome is incapable of defending herself against it."
An enormous thumping and crashing sound was heard as it came in closer, and the trees were being pushed aside by a tremendous force, the cracking of tree trunks as they snapped in two sounding like thunder. Kagome did not flinch when the demon finally revealed itself, its growl deafening to human ears. It was a monstrous blue demon with red eyes and several horns protruding from its face, three from its head, two from both cheeks, and one on either side of its nose. Its mouth was dripping with saliva mixed with blood, and pieces of flesh were stuck to its teeth. It had gash wounds throughout its entire body, but the most disturbing of its appearance was that streams of blood were flowing out of its eyes.
"Eeew!" said Kagome, feeling slightly nauseous. "I've never seen such a disgusting demon in my life!"
"Yes," Mineko said, holding her sword tightly and raising it over her head. "He is disgusting to look at!"
"Might as well get rid of him now," Kagome said, taking a few steps back, calculating the best distance for which to shoot her arrow from. "I can't believe Lord Sesshomaru lets ugly demons like that roam around his lands. If it were me, I'd have any demon who looked like him destroyed."
"Are you saying I'm not attending to my duties properly, young woman?" Mineko said tigerishly while remaining behind Kagome. "Are you blaming me for that demon lurking in my master's territory?"
Kagome was frightened by Mineko's severe tone, and she knew the demoness had misinterpreted her words. She did not intend for them to sound so negative, and her remark was not targeted towards her. Because she was afraid to look at Mineko's face, Kagome did not turn around to look at her but remained focused on the demon who stood less than ten yards away.
"I didn't mean it that way," said Kagome. "Please don't think I was blaming you. I wasn't."
"You were blaming Lord Sesshomaru then?" Mineko said relentlessly. "If you are going to blame someone, I'd rather it be me than him. You have no etiquette in the ways of addressing one who's superior and is ruler, do you?"
"Lord Sesshomaru may be superior to me in strength and in powers, but he does not rule over me, so I am under no obligation to follow this etiquette you speak of. Got that?"
Why do I lie like so much, thought Kagome. He does rule over me, rules over my heart that is.
The demon was nearer now, but Kagome stood her ground as if the creature was a large statue made of stone. It did not scare her in the least, and she located the jewel shard instantly in its heart. Growling once again, the demon became aware that Kagome had a jewel shard herself kept safely in her backpack, and it began to run towards her with massive speed.
"Watch out, Kagome!" Rin cried, wrapping her arms around Jaken's small body.
"You two!" Mineko said sternly. "Hide yourselves inside the cart. Quickly!"
Rin and Jaken did exactly as Mineko had ordered them to do, and they tried to fit their bodies within the several items that were scattered around inside the cart, snuggling tightly beside each other as they peeked through the wooden cracks to watch what was going on. Rin was frightened by the demon, and she screamed without thinking as she stared at the demon's face, more blood streaming down from him, but this time from his nose and mouth.
"Stop screaming, Rin!" Sesshomaru said. "No harm will come to you."
"What about me, Lord Sesshomaru?" asked Jaken. "Will I be safe? Will you protect me too?"
"Don't you have a weapon to defend yourself with, Jaken?" Mineko said. "You can protect yourself with that, can't you?"
"My staff will do me no good against a demon that size!" Jaken replied. "I need my lord's protection against that demon should he attack me."
"Don't worry," said Mineko. "I'm sure Kagome will prevent any harm from befalling you."
"I don't think so!" Kagome said. "I'm not protecting that imp!"
"Ha! Kagome can hardly protect herself," Jaken said. "If I had to choose, I'd rather die than be protected by her."
"That can be arranged," Sesshomaru said to Jaken.
"No, master!" said Jaken. "Please don't be that way with me! I am only saying that I prefer you to be my protector, a great and powerful demon like yourself. I am privileged and honored to have someone as almighty as you to save me from harm. Why would I want anyone else to do it?"
"Keep quiet!" Sesshomaru said. "Do not say another word, Jaken!"
"Yes, my lord!"
"As annoying as ever, I see," Mineko said, referring to Jaken's behavior.
The demon stopped running and looked at Kagome first before his eyes settled on Sesshomaru. There was something about the two of them, something that they both had which the demon was interested in stealing away. But there was also something about the demon which was deceitful, and Sesshomaru was quick to detect what was wrong.
"That demon is possessed," Sesshomaru said.
"It is as you predicted, my lord," said Mineko. "They have come again to disturb you, but they have chosen to take a dead demon's form to mock you this time as they had promised, since they are not strong enough to do it in their invisible form."
Kagome overheard what Sesshomaru and Mineko had said, and she turned her head to the side, keeping her body frozen in its combative stance.
"Did someone say that demon's possessed?" said Kagome. "What does that mean? It's not a regular demon?"
"The blood on his face," Mineko explained. "That is a clear sign the demon is possessed. The blood that is coming out from its ears, eyes, nose, mouth….It is not something that happens ordinarily to wounded demons. And speaking of wounds, the demon has many, too many for a creature his size. No other demon could inflict so many small gashes like that at one time."
"You say it's possessed," Kagome said, "but possessed by what? And you say it's already dead, but it looks alive to me."
"The demon is undead," Sesshomaru said.
"Undead?" said Kagome puzzlingly. "You mean like the living dead? Like a vampire?"
Sesshomaru and Mineko looked at Kagome with their own sense of bewilderment.
"Vampire?" Mineko asked. "I have never heard of such a creature. What kind of a demon is it?"
"Well, it's not a demon," Kagome answered. "Actually, it's not even real. It would take a while to explain, and I don't think this is the right time for it."
"I agree," Mineko said. "Now that I know that demon is possessed, I am more eager to see it destroyed, more for the sake of my master than anything else."
The blue-skinned demon bent its body forward, took a deep breath and flexed its hands inward. It suddenly spoke.
"You have a jewel shard!" the demon said, looking at Kagome. "Give it to me!"
As soon as the demon had opened its mouth, a putrid smell came from its breath, and the stench diffused over the area. Kagome almost dropped her weapon, covering her nose with her hand, closing her eyes tightly as they became damp by the moisture which had developed around them. The smell was too powerful for her to bear, and she felt as if she was going to faint. Mineko and Sesshomaru were just as affected as she, but while Mineko covered her own nose with the loose fabric of her sleeve, Sesshomaru did not protect his nose from the smell but stared at the demon motionlessly and unemotionally. He stood still and did not waver whatsoever as if he was smelling fresh air. Mineko noticed this, and she tried to place her hand over his nose, but Sesshomaru shook his head at her, and she let him be as he was.
"Disgusting!" Kagome yelled. "That demon's breath is so bad, I don't think a million tubes of toothpaste could take away that horrible smell from his mouth!"
"It's the stench of decay," Mineko said in a low tone, her mouth covered by her arm and the cloth that hung from it.
"If I can't stand the smell, I can't imagine how terrible it must be for you and Sesshomaru."
"It is truly unbearable! I do not understand how Lord Sesshomaru can tolerate it. My nose is burning up and I can even taste decay in my mouth!"
The demon spoke again, this time to Sesshomaru. "You! You also have something I want. Give it to me or everyone here shall die!"
"You say the same thing each time we meet," Sesshomaru said unblenchingly. "Can you not come up with something less dull when demanding something of me? Your words are becoming tiresome."
"And you continue to be as stubborn as always," the demon said more harshly, his breath stronger than before. "But fortune is on my side tonight. That human girl has a jewel shard, and I want it. I need it!"
Kagome and Mineko pressed their hands harder against their noses as the demon's foul breath spread with each word it spoke. Rin and Jaken were more affected by the stench, and they laid unconscious inside the cart.
"You are able to speak," Sesshomaru said. "You were unable to do this before when you possessed a dead demon body, and you are stronger than in previous encounters we've had."
"It's the jewel shard," Kagome said. "That's why he's able to speak and is stronger. The shard has to be removed from his heart in order to weaken him."
The demon smiled menacingly at Kagome, moving its tongue along its sharp teeth and licking its lips.
"I will have to eat you if you do not give me your jewel shard, human," the demon said. "I have not tasted the blood of a human for hundreds of years. I will savor every bite of your beautiful white flesh."
Kagome stared at the flesh in between the demon's teeth and felt even more nauseous, imaging how she would turn out if it did actually eat her.
"I thought I was the only one who had what you wanted," Sesshomaru said calmly, and as Kagome turned around to look at him, she saw the rage in his eyes.
"You do possess what I need," the demon said, "but why should I allow that human girl to keep what can be useful to me? You do have the ultimate power I crave, yet I know by now you will not give up your most prized….how should I put it? Memento? I know you will not hand it over willingly, and I, along with my comrades, will have to force it away from you. And we will! Since the day we cursed you, we vowed to get our revenge, and we will succeed!"
"You have yet to try," Sesshomaru replied. "However, you will never succeed in defeating me."
"I wouldn't be so confident if I were you. Have you forgotten what day it is? That in itself should convince you that you are not as powerful as you believe yourself to be."
Sesshomaru became enraged at the demon's words, and his eyes turned red, his hair blowing wildly about his face from a wind that he himself was creating, his facial markings changing into a deeper shade of purple, his claws growing longer and more sharp. Kagome recognized what was happening before her, that Sesshomaru was beginning to transform into his true demonic self, and she knew that the only reason he would allow himself to get to such a point was if his rage was too much for him to restrain in his human-like body. But it was not only Sesshomaru who was outraged. Mineko was also angered by the demon's mockery of her lord, and she was on the brink of transforming herself into whatever form she truly was. Her eyes did not turn red as Sesshomaru's but glowed a bright blue, and her skin became much whiter, her auburn hair changing color, her light, reddish brown tresses turning a lighter shade like gold.
What is going on here, thought Kagome. Both Sesshomaru and Mineko are really upset. What was that demon talking about? I don't get it.
She stared at Sesshomaru, and before she could think of anything else, Kagome's own anger consumed her like hot lava. Looking at Sesshomaru, she could not stand there and watch him be ridiculed by an undead demon. Her heart was filled with empathy, and her love for him took charge of her actions. She suddenly felt a strong sense of protectiveness for him, like the feeling a mother has towards her child when in danger, and she removed her hand from her nose, ignoring the stench of decay which had become thick like smoke. Kagome placed her body in front of Sesshomaru and aimed her bow and arrow directly at the demon's heart where the jewel shard was.
"You are blocking our way!" Mineko said in a manly, less feminine voice. "Move away, Kagome! Lord Sesshomaru and I will handle this. It does not concern you."
"I told you," Kagome said impatiently. "When it concerns jewel shards, it is my business. And now that I have been with him for a while, Lord Sesshomaru is my concern too. I will be the one to defend him this time."
After hearing Kagome's words, Sesshomaru immediately stopped his transformation from occurring and returned to his normal human-like form. He was not expecting her to say something so unpredictable, and her straightfowardness was unanticipated as well. She had never said anything that frankly before or that openly when it came to revealing how she felt about him. Her comments about him when she spoke to others or when she spoke to him were always unpleasant. He had never seen any emotion that came out of her that was unrelated to anger, irritation, or sadness. As he looked at her, Sesshomaru wondered what it was that caused Kagome to be so blunt about her feelings. He was unable to admit it to himself, and he would try his hardest to deny it, but he was moved by her words, but only for a moment, for his focus returned to the demon which had forced him to be angry in the first place.
Mineko, on the other hand, had not given up on her transformation, but she stalled in the process, laughing mildly at what Kagome had said.
"What can you possibly do?" Mineko said, touching her sword's blade and sliding her hand down its thin, shining, silver body, its sharpness cutting her skin, her blood staining it slightly. "You are human, a female human. At least a male human is stronger, and though his chances of defeating the demon would be unsuccessful, he would at least last longer in remaining alive than you. You have a feeble weapon which will practically do no harm against him. If you wish to attack him on your own, and if you wish to die from doing it, then I would suggest you borrow my sword and use it against the demon. My weapon is far superior to yours."
Mineko turned her sword around so that the blade was facing her and the pearl handle was facing Kagome.
"Take it," Mineko said. "You must truly care for Lord Sesshomaru to risk your life to defend his honor, as you so clearly stated."
Kagome blushed without wanting to, but she was unable to repress her feelings, and she noticed she was becoming less strong and more weak in concealing her affection for Sesshomaru. She bowed her head briefly and bit her lip, then she looked at Mineko's sword and shook her head.
"I cannot fight using a sword," she said. "My bow and arrows is the only weapon I know how to use. I will attack the demon the only way I know how, and I don't need your sword to do it, thank you."
"But my sword is stronger," Mineko insisted.
"I said no, okay!"
Mineko smiled. "I have no doubts that it is that fire inside you which makes you brave, but that is not enough to protect you from being severely attacked by that demon. He will kill you, I can assure you of that."
Kagome was astonished by Mineko's concern for her, and she could tell by looking in her eyes that she was worried about her safety. What amazed her even more was that she had just met her, yet she was treating her as though she had known her all her life.
"I think I have waited long enough for you to hand over your jewel shard, human," the demon growled. "But I don't need to kill you to get it. You can give it to me willingly, and I promise I will not hurt you. Don't be like Lord Sesshomaru who has refused to give me what I most desire for these past hundred years. I may have to curse you as well, if you remain alive, that is."
"I don't know what it is you want from Lord Sesshomaru," Kagome said angrily, "but I won't let you take it from him, and I won't let you take away my jewel shard either, you stupid, stinking demon! And if I were you, I'd keep that mouth shut. Have you any idea how bad your breath smells? I'm surprised the smell of your own breath hasn't killed you yet. You should learn how to brush your teeth before you dare to open your mouth to speak again."
The demon laughed loudly, pulling back its shoulders and digging its feet into the dirt.
"I will have that jewel shard now!" said the demon. "And after I have it in my hands and kill you, I'll have a succulent meal dining on your flesh."
"Then hurry up and get it over with!" Kagome said, pointing her arrow at the demon's heart, her grip on her bow tight and steady. "Come and get me!"
Mineko, annoyed by Kagome's recklessness and in fear of her life, was about to move in front of Kagome to protect her against the demon's attack when Sesshomaru lifted his arm and held her back. He still held his Tokijin in his hand, and Mineko was more afraid of his sword's blade touching her than she was surprised at what he had done to prevent her from helping Kagome.
"What is wrong, Lord Sesshomaru?" Mineko asked. "Kagome will be killed if I don't interfere. Is that what you want, for her to die by that demon's hand? She has also involved herself in something that doesn't concern her. It only concerns you and me."
"This matter does not concern you either, Mineko," Sesshomaru said. "But I have allowed your involvement because, like Jaken, you are the most loyal of my subjects, and you have been in my service the longest. Now with that human girl you so desire to protect, you will not interfere and allow her to attack the demon on her own. It is what she desires, and we should leave it at that, whatever the outcome may be."
"As you wish, my lord," Mineko said.
With a tremendous rumble, the possessed demon rushed forward and ran towards Kagome with outstretched arms, the blood on its face flowing more swiftly, the wounds on its body opening wider as it moved near her. As the demon came closer, Kagome did not remove her eyes from its chest, and she saw the jewel shard clearly, glowing ever brighter with each step the creature took. The point of her arrow was beginning to glow as well, her internal powers purifying it instantly as her hand touched it, which also reacted to the shard itself.
In one swift movement, the demon jumped into the air and was right over Kagome, but she did not falter, moving her weapon upward without letting go of the arrow. The demon seemed to hover above her body, and she knew that if she did not make a direct hit into its heart, it would most surely fall on top of her and crush her to death. But for some reason unknown to her, she was confident she would not fail, especially since her feelings for Sesshomaru was the sole reason for her motivation.
"Your arrow won't harm me!" the demon laughed. "You will be squashed flat when I fall on top of you."
"Yeah, yeah!" Kagome said. "Whatever you say, you big, smelly piece of death! Now shut up and squash me already!"
The demon suddenly fell downward towards Kagome from the air. Mineko gasped in fear as she watched with terrified eyes. Sesshomaru was very calm as he witnessed the demon falling down from the air and at how bravely Kagome stood for her attack. Without a single thought in her head but the jewel shard, Kagome released the arrow, confident it would pierce the demon's chest and hit his heart. She watched the arrow glow in the air, and it looked so small in comparison to the demon's colossal size. It became smaller and smaller the higher it flew, and it finally disappeared when it punctured the demon's heart, a bright explosion of light emitting from the wound there.
Roaring in pain, the possessed demon touched his chest and threw back his head. Then he growled at Kagome and was about to attack again when she grabbed another arrow as quickly as her hands could reach and shot again into his heart. The demon was still not dead, and Kagome was losing her patience.
"You're making me more angry than I already am!' Kagome shouted, grabbing her third arrow. "Why don't you die? Just die, will you! I am sick of looking at you. Or should I say sick of smelling you!"
With more strength and effort, Kagome shot an arrow into the demon's chest for the third and final time.
"Bull's eye!" Kagome said excitedly.
At last the demon was mortally wounded, but before it died, it spoke vehemently to Sesshomaru.
"You will never defeat me, Lord Sesshomaru," the demon said in an almost deafening voice. "You cannot defeat me or my fellow demons. I will curse you until the day you die! I will curse every future generation that is of your wretched bloodline!"
With those last words, the demon's body erupted into a ball of light and the jewel shard fell to the ground like a diamond falling from the sky. Kagome picked up the shard and held it carefully between her two fingers, purifying it with her touch. She went to get her backpack, opened it and pulled out the small bottle which contained the jewel shard she had collected when Inuyasha had defeated a particular demon days ago. She placed the new shard she attained inside the bottle and put the top on it, shaking it carefully like a rattle, watching the two shards jingle together.
"Wow," Kagome said to herself, but it seemed as if she was speaking to the shards, for she looked at them as she spoke. "This is the first time I destroy a demon with just three shots of an arrow without making a single miss. How did I manage to do that?"
After putting the bottle back in her bag and zipping it closed, Kagome heard a rush of wind escape from the air in the spot where she had destroyed the possessed demon. She felt something evil and invisible was inside the swirling wind, and it came towards her like a wave.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Mineko said, watching as the wind-like force pushed back the branches of the trees and feeling its warm air against her face. She knew Kagome was in danger, and even if Kagome ran away, she would be unable to escape it.
Sesshomaru understood Kagome's life was in jeopardy and did not have the power to withstand the wind's force against her body. He lowered his arm from Mineko's chest, knowing he did not need to prevent her from helping Kagome any longer. When he did, Mineko looked at Sesshomaru for a sign that she was allowed to protect the human girl, and as she looked at his face, he blinked his eyes once, and she knew that was the signal she was waiting for, recognizing it immediately, for he had used the same secret gesture when they had battled together years before.
Without hesitation, Mineko ran and moved faster than the wind, placing herself in front of Kagome before it was able to harm her. Mineko shielded Kagome with her own body, and the wind's force pressed itself against her, but because she was powerful enough to withstand it, she was unaffected by its evil energy. But the wind-like force was not through with its attack, and it broke a tree which was next to Mineko and Kagome in half, taking the upper half of it from the lower part of the trunk, and it was held in the air for a moment before it was thrown on top of them. Kagome saw the tree flying down on her and Mineko, and she knew because the demoness was protecting her that she would be killed doing so. Knowing she could not allow that to happen, Kagome summoned her own power and pushed the falling tree away from Mineko and herself, waving her arm once outward but more straight and precise than she had done previously.
The wind-like force suddenly weakened in its power, and the air was no longer warm but cool, and soon it disappeared without a trace, leaving everything calm and quiet.
Kagome was looking at the sky when she heard the sound of someone clapping. It was Mineko who was doing so, and a wide smile was spread across her face, her eyes beaming with excitement as well as relief.
"I'm impressed," Mineko said. "Very impressed. You don't look like someone who has powers, but I see I have been deceived. The fact that you are human makes it easy for demons like me to be tricked into believing you are weak and vulnerable, but underneath you have a hidden power that we could never suspect upon first seeing you. That serves as a protection for you."
"Thank you for protecting me," Kagome said kindly. "But can I ask you something? Why did you protect me? You just met me."
"Because you are with Lord Sesshomaru," she said. "But most of all it's because the sight of you brings back memories of my mistress."
"Mistress?" Kagome said.
Mineko felt Sesshomaru's cold stare and she decided to drop the subject while she was able. She went over to the cart she had been tugging along to check on Rin and Jaken who were still unconscious inside it. Picking up Rin in her arms, she patted the child's cheeks until she awoke. Rin was as bubbly as ever, the unconscious state she was in making her more energetic rather than debilitating her. Jaken was hard to awaken, and he seemed to be in deep dream when Mineko tapped him on the back with her sword. She then became impatient as she saw he did not awaken, so she grabbed him by the neck and threw him against a tree. Jaken woke up immediately and was in a daze, looking confusedly around him. He saw Rin was searching through the contents inside the cart as happily as if nothing had happened once she knew the demon was killed, and Jaken ran to be beside her, pushing the child away from him in a playful manner.
"You used sacred arrows to destroy the demon, didn't you?" Mineko asked Kagome who was watching both Rin and Jaken. "Are you a priestess?"
"Not exactly," Kagome replied.
"But you do have spiritual powers? Only priestesses possess them."
"Yes, but I was never trained as a priestess."
"What an interesting companion of yours, Lord Sesshomaru!" Mineko said enthusiastically. "Wherever did you find her?"
"She is Rin's companion," Sesshomaru said unemotionally, " but she will not be for long. She will leave her and be gone by sunset."
It was already the early morning of the third day though it was still dark, a few hours remaining until the sun rose. Kagome was hurt again by Sesshomaru's insensitivity and she felt as if she wanted to hate him for what he had just said, but instead her heart ached so tempestuously it brought her to the verge of tears. However, she forced them back and she walked over to the cart to join Rin and Jaken to look at the many items Mineko had brought with her. Kagome noticed the food that the demoness had brought, which had been cooked before she arrived, but it hard gotten cold. She was very hungry, and she did not mind eating it that way, if Mineko allowed her to.
"May I have some of this?" Kagome asked Mineko as she held a plate of boiled fish, rice, and mushrooms. "It's embarrassing for me to ask, but I'm really hungry."
"Of course you can, Kagome," said Mineko. "I always bring more than enough food for Rin and Jaken."
"Doesn't Lord Sesshomaru eat anything?"
"He has no appetite, not on this day."
Kagome did not understand the ambiguity of Mineko's words, and her stomach forced her to eat her food ravenously. She picked it up with her hands and forced it into her mouth in large handfuls, not allowing herself time to chew her food before she swallowed it in gulps. Once she was done, her mouth was covered with pieces of fish and rice, and her torn kimono was even more dirty with the stains she left on it from the grease that dripped from her fingers. She wiped her hand with her sleeve and made a soft burp. Kagome felt uncomfortable suddenly, and she noticed Rin and Jaken were looking at her with funny, distorted faces. She then turned and saw Sesshomaru and Mineko looking at her fiercely, disturbed by what they had just seen her do, eating her food as if she was a greedy hog.
"An interesting companion indeed," Sesshomaru said coldly, looking at Kagome with disgust in his eyes. "Typical for a human like you to eat so repulsively. Your behavior is condemnable."
"Now Lord Sesshomaru," Mineko said. "It's not as if Kagome's royalty."
"Typical for a demon like you to show his appreciation for someone who risked her life to show you how thankful she is for everything he's done for her!" Kagome said loudly and angrily.
"Clean that hideous face of yours!" Sesshomaru said. "I will not have you walk on my lands looking so slovenly!"
"I'll clean my face after you've cleaned up your horrible attitude!" said Kagome. "Your personality makes you the most filthy demon around!"
Mineko was angered by Kagome's words, and she could not abide watching her master being spoken to in such a discourteous and impious manner. Although she had protected her, Mineko was not one to tolerate any rude behavior towards Sesshomaru from anyone, even if she cared for them in some fashion or another. Taking her sword from its sheath, Mineko held the blade against Kagome's throat.
"Who do you think you are?" Mineko said. "I have never seen anyone treat Lord Sesshomaru so disrespectfully, neither a demon or human. No one speaks to him that way! I was beginning to like you, but now I'm not so sure. I do have sympathy for humans, yet if they do anything that I disapprove of, I suddenly have an enormous dislike for them. Human or not, I might have to kill you now, slit your throat to be exact, for being so insolent towards my master, but I will do so only if he commands it."
"Mineko," Sesshomaru said calmly. "She is not the one you should be after now."
Mineko, surprised at his answer and reaction, lowered her sword from Kagome's neck and walked over to him. She said, "Are you certain, my lord? You usually command me to dispose of any demons or humans who treat you so abominably. Why is she any different? It surprises me that you have her traveling along with you, and I would think you'd want her dead, especially because she slightly resembles—"
"Do not say her name." Sesshomaru was trying to remain calm, but it was becoming less easy for him.
"I do not understand," Mineko continued. "What is your reason for keeping her with you? Is she not a nuisance to you? That's what you say about all humans. Doesn't she make trouble for you? In a way, I am happy that you have found yourself another human to be your companion. I think it does you good, but why did you choose her? Is it because she has powers? You knew she had the ability to destroy the possessed demon on her own, didn't you? That is why you prevented me from protecting her. You knew all along she had the power to do it. Why then did you tell me—"
"Are you going to drown me with your questions?" Sesshomaru said, placing Tokijin through his sash next to his hip.
"No, my lord. Forgive me for being impertinent. It's just that I cannot even look at her without being sorrowful, without being reminded of what once was before darkness shrouded everything and everyone in these lands."
"Must you speak so openly about what you feel concerning that which once was," Sesshomaru said softly. "You are overstepping your bounds, Mineko! I will not abide your sympathy. If you continue to share your sentiments with me, I will no longer recognize you as my most trusted guard."
Something is really bothering him, Kagome thought. I noticed it before, but it's more noticeable now. He's speaking to Mineko in the same tone as if he was speaking to me. His voice is so cold and heartless.
"Forgive me, my lord," Mineko said apologetically, bowing her head low. "It is not my place to say such things, especially on this very day."
"Then it would be wise to make certain it does not happen again," said Sesshomaru. "Now I will leave to seek out those who have come to disturb me and hinder my plans. They never fail to know when I have returned to spend time here."
"No, please, my lord. Allow me to go. I am your guard after all, and I have made you cross. It is my duty to protect your lands, and I will do so honorably. With your permission, I would like to investigate if there are any more demons who have been possessed by those 'pests'."
"You may go in my place then, Mineko. You shall return and provide me with any information you gather."
"Yes, my lord. I will return as quickly as I can."
Mineko bowed to Sesshomaru and walked up to Kagome guiltily.
"Forgive me for treating you unkindly, Kagome," she said remorsefully. "I am very protective of my master. Because I have known him for so long, it is only natural that I have grown attached to him and that I desire to serve and please him. It is a habit of mine that I become defensive of him if anyone should treat him badly. He is the most powerful demon I have ever known next to his father, and I am more than aware he can protect and defend himself without anyone's assistance. I even believe that no one on earth is capable of destroying him. That's how strong of a demon he is."
Kagome, seeing how much love Mineko had for Sesshomaru, smiled warmly.
"Are you related to Lord Sesshomaru?" Kagome asked. " Are you two close? You always make references to the past? I can tell he has feelings for you too. This is embarrassing to say, but were you once his lover or something?"
Mineko laughed. "Had I been a hundred years younger than him, perhaps it would have been possible for me to have been his love interest. Then again, I doubt Lord Sesshomaru would have fallen in love with a commoner like me, but you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at me since I am often aloof and dress well. Also there was that feud between his father and the panther demon tribe. I would have been an obstacle for him back then. You see, my mother was a cat demon and my father was a dog demon like my lord. I have both cat and dog demon blood in me. Can you imagine the upheaval my relationship with Lord Sesshomaru would have caused? Besides, he was only a child when I came into his service. Being with him in that sort of relationship was impossible even if I would have wanted it."
"Wow! You served him since he was a kid? I didn't know you were that old! But you still look young."
Mineko smiled. "That is what I like about you, Kagome. Your honesty."
Before she left to do the duty Sesshomaru had assigned her, Mineko reached into her cart and pulled out a folded rich and heavy purple night coverlet. From what Kagome could see, the coverlet was carefully made from the finest materials, and it had several small, colorful designs on it that she was unable to see from where she stood. The coverlet was of fine lustrous fabric with flat, ornamental patterns and a satin weave, an embroidered and dyed silk interwoven with gold and silver threads.
Mineko gave the night coverlet to Kagome. "This belongs to Lord Sesshomaru. He is rather displeased with me at the moment, so I think it is best that you give it to him for me."
Kagome felt the heaviness of the coverlet, and it made her arms ache slightly from the weight caused by all the quality fabrics used and sewn together. Mineko gave her one last smile before she disappeared in a fast run inside the forest.
Struggling to keep her balance, Kagome walked to stand beside Sesshomaru and lifted her arms at an angle with the coverlet she was still holding.
"Mineko told me to give you this," Kagome said. "Please take it before I accidentally drop it. Your coverlet is too heavy for me. I don't want to dirty it. It's too beautiful to be handled by someone like me."
"You may use it to sleep in," Sesshomaru said.
"Huh?" Kagome asked surprisingly, shocked at what Sesshomaru had said. "You're letting me sleep with it, with something that's yours?"
"I don't have a use for it," said Sesshomaru. "I have never slept with it."
"Oh."
"We will remain here until morning. There is a hot spring nearby for you to bathe in, and I will not even mention the need for you to provide yourself with nourishment. From what I saw when you shoved your mouth so greedily, you have had your fill."
"Thank you again."
"Have you not realized by now that your gratitude is wasted on me?"
"I don't think so."
Kagome lifted her head and stared at the stars above her. They were so peaceful and comforting, twinkling softly at her as if saying hello.
"A shooting star," Sesshomaru said, looking up at the stars as well. "Is that what you're looking for?"
"Yeah," said Kagome. "I really feel like making a wish tonight. Would you like to know what I'll wish for?"
Sesshomaru turned his head and looked at Kagome patiently, waiting for her to answer her own question.
"I'll wish for you to be happy," she said. "I'll wish for you to smile and laugh again."
Sesshomaru smiled sarcastically at Kagome and walked away from her.
"Nothing but nonsense!" he said.
Smiling as she watched him walk away, Kagome meant what she had said, and she clutched Sesshomaru's night coverlet against her chest, looking up at the stars once again, hoping a shooting star did fly across the sky for her to make that wish she so desired. Before she would have wished for her to be able to remain with Sesshomaru longer, but now, after seeing how bothered and disturbed he was by something she had yet to discover, she would rather have happiness return to his life, for she knew it had been a long time since he felt such an emotion.
Kagome's eyes remained locked at the sky, waiting patiently and hoping desperately for that shooting star to appear.
I told you it was going to be a long chapter, didn't I? I have more time on my hands, like I said in the beginning, but I won't have that for long once school starts up again and my vacation is over. I really hope you liked this chapter too. Now you know who Mineko is, but we still don't know who Kagome reminds her of. That night coverlet is important to, and there's a reason why Sesshomaru has never used it to sleep with. If you're wondering why I call it a night coverlet, it's because I didn't like the way 'blanket' sounded, especially when I placed the word beside Sesshomaru's name. It just sounded silly to me, not to mention that this 'blanket' is made of rich and expensive material. To call something so beautiful like that a 'blanket' would be disgraceful. Anyway, like I said, I didn't like the way 'blanket' looked beside Sesshomaru's name. It made me think of a baby for some reason. You know how babies use blankets, well, I just pictured Sesshomaru as being a baby with a blanket and I hated the image. I actually pictured him as an infant sucking his thumb and holding his blanket. What a nightmare! He's no baby! I hated "Sesshomaru's blanket," so I replaced it with "Sesshomaru's night coverlet." Don't you agree that this sounds better? I am really tired now, so I'll be going straight to bed to have a good night's sleep and wake up tomorrow all rested to begin writing the next chapter, at least half of it. I never rest from writing, do I? Oh, well!
Review, my dears! Don't forget to review, my darlings! (Oooh, I sound like a mother!)