Hey everyone. This one isn't very long, but it's something. Sometimes it feels like college will never end...
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Inuyasha was disgusted with himself and the entire situation in general. Kagome had looked to him, with those damn big brown eyes of hers, and pleaded for more than to be brushed off. He hadn't been able to tell her.
I love her. Probably with much more intensity than I ever did Kikyou. But I just can't tell her... Now she's with my brother, and angrier at me than I've ever seen her. I need to get her back soon. Or I might never be able to get her to come back...
His aching back and neck made him reconsider. Better give her some time to cool off...
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The path to the old woman's house meandered away from the mountains and into the forest. The day was pleasant and cool, and Kagome could smell the moisture in the air; rain was not far off. She glanced up and saw the clouds rolling steadily closer. Sunlight peered through the thick branches above and splattered onto her face, and she smiled softly at the warmth on her cheeks. A songbird looked down at her from its nest, and tilted its head at her. Kagome returned her eyes to the path in front of her, and the demon lord who led the way.
Sesshoumaru did not seem to be in a hurry. He walked at a normal pace, Jaken trailing not far behind. He seemed to already know where he was going, and Kagome wondered if he knew the old woman who now had Rin.
Kagome thought about Sesshoumaru's earlier words. I am entitled to whatever I should wish to take from you... She remembered his closeness, the way he had seemed to be taking in her scent and carefully memorizing it. A blush began to stain her cheeks and her anger and frustration with Inuyasha faded, just a little. She wondered at the meaning behind those words. After all, it seemed as if earlier, he was not going to stop her from leaving with Inuyasha. Although he had never gotten out of hearing range, had he? Kagome gave up on trying to puzzle out his intentions.
"Sesshoumaru... Can I ask you something?" she asked quietly.
"I am certain you will ask whether I give permission or not," Sesshoumaru replied, and Kagome could have sworn there was a slight hint of amusement in his voice.
"Are you getting a sense of humor, Lord Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked.
"Is that what you were going to ask?" he countered, looking over a shoulder at her, eyebrows slightly raised over golden eyes. Kagome rolled her eyes in mock annoyance.
"I just want to know... Why you've put up with me for so long," she said, keeping her eyes on his. He stopped and turned to face her.
"Does it matter?" he asked.
Kagome looked away. "You saved my life again. Now I really owe you," she said.
"Is that why you left my brother behind?" His voice gave away nothing; he sounded only mildly curious. But there was something in his eyes... Kagome swallowed nervously.
"I want to help find Rin. I've only known her for a short time but I already feel like she's my little sister. I don't want to worry about anything else right now," Kagome said, unable to keep some of the sorrow from her voice. Inuyasha. Shikon shards. Naraku. I just need some time to get it all out of my head. But I know I can't just leave it all behind. I'm going to have to go back sometime. Shippou, Sango, Miroku... It's been a while since I visited my home in my own time as well...
"Hm." Sesshoumaru turned his back to her once more and continued to walk.
Jeez, he can be annoying! Why doesn't he ever say how he feels? Or how about a smile, maybe? Kagome hurried after him.
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"Your friends are almost here, Rin. I fixed your little kimono. Here, get changed." The old woman handed the flowery dress to Rin, who grinned happily.
"Thank you!" She pulled the cloth off that she had been wrapped in after her bath, and wiggled her way into the kimono. She slipped her sandals on, and allowed the old woman to take a comb to her dark hair.
"I think you are presentable now." The old woman gave a small smile, and her faded blue eyes seemed to smile as well.
Rin made her way carefully between shelves full of mysterious liquids and bubbling pots, then stepped slowly around a sleeping, three headed dog before reaching the door. She glanced back at the old woman, who gave a small shooing gesture. Rin pushed the door open and her eyes looked about eagerly. She spotted Sesshoumaru a little way down the path, and hurried toward him.
"Lord Sesshoooouuummmaaarrruuuu!!" The little girl ran to him, joy written across her face. She looked up at him happily.
"Rin... Did you behave yourself for the old woman?" he asked, looking down at the little girl.
"Yes I did, Lord Sesshoumaru!" she said, and turned to wave goodbye. As she turned, she caught sight of Kagome, and leapt into her arms. "Kagome! I missed you," she said.
"I'm glad you're okay, Rin. I was very worried about you," Kagome said, brushing a bit of hair from Rin's face before casting a questioning glance at Sesshoumaru.
"So you do know the old woman?" she asked him, curious.
"I know of her. She was very sick of a nearby gang of annoying demons, as I recall," he said wryly.
The old woman approached, and gave Sesshoumaru a bow of her head. "And for getting rid of them, I thank you," she said.
"You gave him the poison, knowing I am immune to it," Sesshoumaru said, regarding the woman with a careful glance.
"He demanded that I give him a way to defeat you, and I wanted to get the little girl away from his filthy hands. I believe it was the best course of action. I knew that after crossing you, he would be dead soon anyways. Might as well give him the illusion that he might win. Besides, to kill a full demon, that poison would have to be ingested." The old woman tilted her gray haired head back and chuckled at the sky. "I owe you thanks for ridding this place of those demons. Quite a nuisance, they were," she said.
"Thank you for taking care of Rin," Kagome said, seeing the irritation in Sesshoumaru's eyes. I'm actually starting to be able to read the little emotion he shows. I can tell he thinks that this woman tried to manipulate him, and is deciding on whether to let her get away with. She did get Rin away from that demon, after all...
"Yes, of course. Now, I have work to get back to. Goodbye, Rin." The old woman gave a small bow once more, and then made her way back to her small home. Sesshoumaru said nothing more to her.
Kagome smiled at Rin. "That demon didn't hurt you, did he?" she asked the little girl.
"No, I'm okay," Rin replied.
"I'm glad," Kagome said, giving the girl another hug.
The sky was beginning to darken, and thunder growled in the distance. A light rain began to fall.
Rin gave a little "Eep!" and jumped down from Kagome's arms. She tilted her head up and stuck her tongue out, eyes squinting as she tried to look up at the cloudy sky. Kagome laughed at her.
Jaken gave a little huff, and Kagome was sure he was pouting. Then Rin ran over to him and gave him a big hug. "I missed you too, Jaken!" she said, beaming at his toad face. He grumbled and muttered something about bothersome children, but still seemed glad to see Rin as well. This has to be the strangest family I've ever seen, Kagome thought.
Sesshoumaru watched Kagome and Rin for a moment, noting the natural way they got along with each other. The little girl could have known Kagome all her life for the way she acted around her. They even looked alike, he noticed.
The rain began to gain strength, and the two girls quickly found themselves thoroughly soaked.
"You're going to catch a cold," Kagome said to Rin, noticing the girl shivering. "We need to find some shelter," she told Sesshoumaru. He was already walking, with the usual direction of someone who knows exactly where he's going.
The rest of his entourage hurried after.
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Now it's time to study, something I should have been doing instead of working on a fanfiction... hehe ^_^;
Thanks for the reviews! You guys are the best!