Aloha! The holidays are going to be the death of me, I swear. I hope you like the next chapter. I did notice the many pleads for fluff. I'm tempted to add the marshmallow product into my story, but then I'd be evil and a smartass. For those yelling for it, I hope you enjoy the next chapter. And yes, I'm changing the rating to PG 13, just to be on the safe side for later on. Enjoy!
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Kagome followed Sesshoumaru, holding Rin's little hand in her own. Rin let out a mighty sneeze, and sniffled pitifully. Kagome put an arm around her and tried to lend a little warmth, while wiping futilely at the rain on her face.
As the very wet group passed by the home of the old woman, the door creaked open on rusty hinges and pale lamplight spilled upon the walkway.
"Wait. I have something for you, Kagome," the woman said, stepping outside and into the rain. She shuffled quickly over to them. Kagome gave her a startled look, trying to recall if she had given the woman her name. The old woman's sandaled feet slapped loudly on the cobblestones as she approached. She stopped before them and gave a wide, toothy grin. She presented a grand bow to Kagome.
The bow seemed to be carved out of a strong boxwood tree branch, and had been layered with bamboo strips before being varnished to a soft sheen. The wood was smooth, and the string was a strong hemp, strengthened with a wax coating. A red ribbon decorated the top of the string, a white at the bottom. It was larger than the one Kagome was used to, measuring at least two meters high. Kagome ran her finger along the smooth lines of the weapon, and stared at the old woman with amazement.
"I... I can't accept this," Kagome said, not even asking how the woman even knew that she was a capable archer.
"Hush now. Here are some arrows, made from bamboo shafts and pheasant feathers, with a willow-leaf arrowhead. Very good for puncturing armor or tough hides, you know. And take this. Some food and a couple blankets. I would feel quite terrible if I let you wander away into the storm with no supplies," the woman said, slipping a leather satchel over Kagome's right arm, and the quiver of arrows over the left.
Kagome just stared at her, wonder dancing in her wide brown eyes. "Thank you very much," she finally managed to say. Rin repeated the sentiment, throwing her arms about the woman.
The woman leaned close and murmured softly into Kagome's ear. "Beware the master of dreams, and use the weapon with good fortune," she said, and Kagome felt a distinct chill creep across her soul. Before she could question any further, the woman had turned and gone back to her home, swinging the door shut behind her.
Kagome stood silently, then glanced down at Rin. The little girl just smiled. "She's strange, but I like her," Rin said, then pulled Kagome toward the direction Sesshoumaru had continued to walk without pause.
"Hey, wait up!" Kagome called, trying to juggle her newfound possessions while running after Sesshoumaru.
The storm seemed to be growing ever stronger, and the wind was tearing through the forest. Branches above creaked as the trees moaned under the strength of the gusts roaring through them. Kagome found it hard to see where she was going as the wind drove the rain into her face.
Just when Kagome was sure she and Rin would be unable to walk any further, they were entering a cave, and the harsh weather was left behind them. Rin whimpered, and quickly sat down on the gravelly floor. Kagome frowned, worrying over the small girl's shaking and sniffling.
Sesshoumaru was investigating the cave, which extended to about a six meter space, and a four meter high ceiling. It was relatively dry, with only a small puddle of water in one corner. Every few seconds a drop of water would descend from the rocky ceiling and drip into the puddle, a sound which echoed throughout the cave.
Jaken gave himself a good shake, sending water droplets flying all over his already dripping companions. "Hmph. Only weak humans need to find shelter in the rain," he grumbled. Kagome ignored him, getting to work on gathering up a pile of twigs and dry moss she found scattered about the cave floor. She prepared a place for a small fire, remembering how Sango had taught her.
Sango... I miss her. I miss having her around to talk to. It feels like she's been a sister all this time. Loneliness swept through her, and she found it hard to push it away. She wondered if her friends were worried, if Inuyasha had told them what had happened. It was even harder to push the guilt away.
Rin huddled close to the warmth of the fire, water dripping steadily from her hair and clothes. Kagome helped the girl to wring out some of the moisture, but it did little to improve either of their rather bedraggled states. She glanced over where Sesshoumaru stood, looking quietly out at the rain. Somehow he still looked handsome and regal, even when soaking wet. Actually, he looked as if he was almost dry already.
Kagome remembered the satchel, and pulled it open. She was glad to see food, water flasks, and two blankets inside. Kagome promptly instructed Rin to begin peeling off her wet clothes.
"I'm too cold," Rin said, not wanting to leave her place by the fire. She pulled her knees to her chest and clung to her wet kimono.
Kagome sighed. "You'll be much warmer if you get out of those wet clothes, and wrap up in a blanket. Then we can have something to eat," Kagome said, her voice gentle as she coaxed Rin into standing. Rin finally complied, bottom lip quivering ever so slightly. It was a hard job to get the wet clothes peeled off of the little girl, but somehow Kagome managed it. She wrapped Rin tightly with the blanket, noticing that she was becoming hot with fever.
"I'm not hungry, Kagome. I want to sleep," Rin said, eyelids drooping. Kagome helped the girl lay down by the fire, and watched her as she quickly fell into a heavy sleep. After some rest, she should be better. I hope we got her dry before she got too sick, Kagome thought, worrying. She stepped carefully over the sleeping forms of Jaken and Rin and looked through the satchel once more. She found a small packet of herbs, and set them to the side. She glanced up when she noticed the looming form of Sesshoumaru above her.
"She's coming down with a bit of a cold," Kagome told him, then erupted with a sneeze of her own. She sniffled before wringing out Rin's wet clothes and spreading them out on the rocks.
"You should get out of your wet clothing. You humans are very susceptible to illness," Sesshoumaru said, a hint of irritation in his voice.
Kagome's hand went to her wet shirt, and in the glow of the firelight she realized that the white fabric of her shirt had become nearly transparent. She began to blush.
"I do not need two sick humans who cannot take care of themselves. Take off your clothes," Sesshoumaru said flatly.
Kagome's mouth fell open, and she stared at him with a dumbstruck expression on her face.
Sesshoumaru approached, and tugged on her sleeve. "They will dry by morning," he said.
Kagome finally regained her composure, and had the violent urge to yell "Sit!" while knowing very well it would have no effect. "Fine, I'll change," she finally said, and reached for the other blanket. She looked up at Sesshoumaru, who was watching her.
"Turn around, please!" she huffed at him with embarrassment, feeling her blush darken. Sesshoumaru snorted, but did as she asked.
"Humans have strange ideas of what is proper and what is not," he said as his gaze returned to the rain outside the cave. Kagome stuck her tongue out at him before attempting to peel away the wet, clingy clothes which seemed to have decided to become a second skin. The skirt came off fairly easily, but her top was another matter. She pulled mightily at the shirt, trying to get it over her head. As she pulled it in front of her face, she tugged hard on the sleeves, getting more and more irritated... And during her struggle, slipped and fell face first into Sesshoumaru.
He turned around and regarded her through the tangle of her clothing. "Do you need assistance?" he asked, a distinct smirk crossing his face.
"Mmrph," Kagome replied from in her shirt. Sesshoumaru sighed, and grabbed Kagome's shirt, pulling it over her head. She tumbled into his arms, and felt another full body blush coming on. Kagome froze, feeling his eyes... Those sharp, golden eyes, as they traveled across her, from one end to another. A drop of water slipped away from a lock of dark hair to slide over soft skin and down her back, and was followed by several others. Firelight was reflected off of each water droplet that made its way from her wet hair down the length of her nearly naked body.
Sesshoumaru's hand found the side of Kagome's face, and felt the heat of her excruciating embarrassment throbbing from her cheek. She was too shocked to move, as she stared into the eyes of the demon lord.
"Sesshoumaru..." she said quietly, questioningly. Her lips quivered slightly.
Sesshoumaru's usually cool, unexpressive eyes seemed to have been lit by an unknown fire, and Kagome stood still as they took her in, lingering on her moist lips. Then, before Kagome could react, strong arms were around her, and a clawed hand was brushing gently over her hair. Kagome's heart began to race, and Sesshoumaru's face descended slowly toward hers. Her eyes drooped, and she found herself rising onto tiptoes as her hands went about the demon's neck.
A soft kiss was shared between the unlikeliest of people, in the gentle light of the fire.