A/N:
I would like to open by thanking you all for the lovely reviews and nice feedback! I'm amazed by how many this story got over the past week or so, welcome new readers and thank you old ones, glad to read you're enjoying this story.
Chapter Nine
Refraining from speaking, both Sesshomaru and Kikyo made their way to the safe camp area as they stepped through the grassy trail that would eventually lead them back to their companions. The sun was already rising, marking the end of the eventful night while slowly stretching its bright rays far across the sky, shedding light on their environment, allowing the birds' chirping far above them to fill the air and compensate for their current lack of words.
Still clasping onto the right torn collar of her haori with her left hand, Kikyo watched Sesshomaru's broad back as he strode silently before her, maintaining somewhat of a distance between them. His steps were steady, although considerably slower compared to the rhythm she had already known him to prefer, causing her to let out a silent breath as she closed her eyes with slight impatience.
"You do not need to match my pace, Sesshomaru." She calmly said, breaking the silence and alerting him of his ever so clear intentions, "If I am stalling you, it's best that you go on ahead without me. I will meet you all at the campsite."
Although she was grateful for the daiyoukai's help, Kikyo most certainly did not need him to either take pity on her or unnecessarily treat her with caution. She fought and suffered injuries equal to the one she had sustained the past night and managed to survive just fine, there was no real need to put any special emphasis on her current condition.
And it's best for Sesshomaru to understand this now, if he truly wanted them to cooperate.
Stopping in his place, Sesshomaru waited for a moment, then turned his head halfway in her direction, meeting her impassive gaze.
"In case you haven't noticed, miko, your weapon was destroyed." He simply answered, a hint of sarcasm heard in his voice.
Kikyo tilted her head slightly to the side, maintaining his eye contact.
"I am capable of channeling my powers even without the use of weapons." She stated.
She bore no foolish intention of actually remaining without one, of course, but she knew that she was able to manage for now, if she had to.
Turning back fully in her direction, Sesshomaru only watched her in silence. His golden eyes flashed with clear annoyance as he focused them on her stained face and messy hair, lowering them to the tattered right side of her haori barely held by her left palm and covering her skin. He continued his scan to her dirty hakama trousers and all the way down to her feet, eventually lifting them back to meet with her mahogany eyes and composed expression. Not saying anything, he simply turned around back to resume his slow steps, his sharp movement graced with unwillingness to hear anymore dissent out of her.
Narrowing her eyes at him, Kikyo was slightly taken aback by his reaction.
She did not require words to understand his quiet, rude remark.
Resuming her steps as well, the priestess only released another soft breath as her mind involuntary recollected the most recent events, stopping on a particular one which sent an especially uneasy feeling coursing through her;
Inuyasha was there.
Although late, he had still come for her, breathing hard and irregularly, appearing as if he had frantically sprinted his way there with that worried expression on his face...
And yet before she even managed to say something, her strength abandoned her and she collapsed into Sesshomaru's arms of all people, right before his very eyes, being carried away without having a chance to explain herself to him. She couldn't guess what Inuyasha must be thinking now... but she knew him enough to realize it wasn't anything amicable.
A small part of her, however, was strangely relieved.
What could she have said to him in order to ease his thinking, at any rate? The situation was indeed uncalled for. Even she herself did not foresee the events folding the way they did... so was there really any point in trying to reason with him?
This was simply where fate had decided to –
'Fate...' The familiar word crossed through her thoughts, but being corrupted by Naraku to its core now, it left a cursed, new trail of doubt and disappointment behind it, making her lower her mahogany eyes to the ground as she lost herself in deep contemplation.
"Kikyo... you coming here to die was of no coincidence..." Naraku's despicable voice echoed in her mind, his venomous words as if poisoning her all over again.
Did she really fall so easily and pathetically into his scheme? Did she really so blindly follow his plan like he had claimed? Was every bit of her journey a lie, a piece in the grand puzzle of her enemy's game, controlling her every move without her knowledge or choice?
Could she really accept this revelation?
Kikyo silently watched her own feet as she steadily stepped forward through the tall grass, observing as the greenery below her bent under her weight, yet surprisingly without breaking, only soaking her socks and the long ends of her red hakama trousers with the chilly morning dew in response to her interrupting the serenity of their growth.
"The weak follow their designated path... and the strong create a new one for themselves to follow."
Lifting her eyes to Sesshomaru's back once more, her expression turned solemn as a determined scowl crossed her features, a new resolve easing her thoughts;
She will not.
And this decision is precisely the reason she agreed to join forces with this inu daiyoukai in front of her.
Naraku may have been able to predict some of her moves, but certainly not all of them, and Sesshomaru could very well be the best current means for her to throw that bastard even more off balance than ever before.
"Sesshomaru-sama!" A familiar screech was suddenly heard, tearing her from her silent musings as she focused her gaze on the source of it, revealing the small imp demon making his way through the thick bushes, quickly stopping before his master, who only ignored him and continued stepping forward, finally reaching the clearing in which the camp was located.
Escorting his master's figure with his eyes, Jaken let out a relieved breath once he could confirm everything indeed seemed normal. Then, he turned his gaze to Kikyo soon following behind him.
Straightening up before her, the imp demon only eyed her appearance in silence.
She continued on her way to the camp as she ignored the obvious meaning behind his look, focusing her gaze on Rin instead, who was already making her way towards her in quick steps, her large eyes fixed on the priestess and her palms clenched in small, anxious fists.
"Kikyo-sama!" She called, reaching where she was.
Lowering herself into a kneeling position, Kikyo wore a soft smile on her face, however, as soon as she set her eyes on Rin's worried expression, a hint of shame sparked deep within her.
"You're safe, I'm glad." She told the child, who's gaze shifted from her stained face to her torn and dirty garments, her expression only filling with further discomfort at the sight of her tattered appearance.
"Are you alright, Kikyo-sama?" She asked her with a hesitated voice.
Kikyo only let out a small breath at her question.
"I am." She reassured.
But Rin kept her stare on her for the longest time without saying anything, dark brown eyes slowly trailing random parts of the priestess' features in silence, causing her eyebrows to rise with slight confusion.
"Is there something on my face?" She inquired curiously.
Rin blinked at her question, then simply sent her palm to meet with cold, alabaster skin as her small thumb gently attempted to remove some of the dark stains, but with no success. Surprised by the sudden physical gesture, the priestess only quietly observed her gentle actions with an unreadable expression.
"A lot of it." The child admitted, making Kikyo's eyes widen at the notion of her being in such a shape through all of this time.
"I guess I must visit the stream, then." She informed calmly, rising back to her feet and extending her free hand out to the girl standing to her right, "Would you care to help me, Rin?"
Rin nodded as a relaxed smile spread on her face, both of them resuming their steps and soon disappearing through the thick rows of trees that would lead them to the nearest source of water.
Watching them from where he stood, Sesshomaru's golden gaze followed their figures until they merged with the wildlife, far beyond bushes and branches. Then, he turned on his heel and stepped to the end of the precipice, studying the now dull and collapsed pile of rubble that was once the renowned and celebrated holy Mt. Hakurei.
"Uh, Sesshomaru-sama?" Jaken stepped closer in his direction, staring up at his master with confused eyes, "What has become of that despicable Naraku, my lord?"
The daiyoukai kept his attention forward, maintaining his silence for a moment as the wind blew gently through his long, silvery hair.
"The filth managed to escape." He answered with a low voice.
Hearing this, Jaken's yellow eyes went large and his mouth gaped open.
"S-Sesshomaru-sama..." He urged hesitantly, taking another step forward as his head whipped around to look at the direction where both Rin and Kikyo had gone to, then back to his master, "That woman... was she perhaps the reason –"
Not letting his vassal even finish his question, Sesshomaru turned to glare down at his direction, silently alerting him to not overstep the boundaries of his patience with unnecessary inquires, making the imp demon flinch and cower in fear, then instinctively take a step back.
Then, he only silently returned his gaze back to the collapsed landform in the distance.
"Almost done, Kikyo-sama." Rin said proudly, raising the pale and moist fabric to Kikyo's face once again, aiming for the last bit of dirt still lurking on her right cheek. With a soft and circular motion, she pressed the cloth to the false skin, successfully rubbing the foreign color. The morning sun already shone bright above them through the thin misty layer of clouds, bestowing their surroundings with rich light and fresh air, successfully managing to maintain a pleasant temperature around them.
Quietly observing the child through her actions, Kikyo sat on the grassy ground by the stream. At this close proximity, she focused her gaze on Rin's determined expression as she did her best to leave the priestess' features free of any fault, making her wear an amused smile on her face.
But her expression soon crossed with sadness as another realization sparked in her mind.
"Were you scared, Rin?" Kikyo voiced her thoughts, her mahogany eyes fixed on her.
Stopping her task for a moment, Rin peered from beyond the fabric, locking her gaze with Kikyo's.
Then, she lowered her hand.
"Rin... wasn't scared..." She answered, dropping her gaze to the ground, "Only worried."
Kikyo kept her silence for a few more moments, the heavy shame once again spreading in her chest.
'That's right...' She quietly remembered, 'This child... no matter how many times I choose to vanish to tend to my own business or withheld from sharing my thoughts... she still genuinely cares for my well-being.'
Lasting her silence for a moment more, she only let out a small breath.
"I am sorry, Rin." Kikyo apologized, causing the child raise her eyes to her, "For making you needlessly worry about me."
Rin shook her head, resuming with her task as she lifted the wet piece of cloth in her hand once more to meet with the priestess' face.
"That's alright, Kikyo-sama. Rin is just happy that Sesshomaru-sama helped you." She replied with a smile, "He left to find you in such a big hurry, too."
Kikyo blinked at her sudden words, making her eyebrows meet in slight confusion as her mind unnecessarily processed them, causing an unexpected wave of warmth to flow through her clay body.
But before she could stop to analyze her current odd emotion, Rin's voice once again entered her thoughts.
"Are you going to stay for longer this time, Kikyo-sama?"
The priestess smiled softly at her question, the genuine interest in her voice inevitably overcoming the previous feeling with an entirely different kind of warmth, however this time, much easier to understand.
"Yes, I am." She promised.
Hearing her words, Rin beamed with happiness, managing to wipe clean the last bit of dirt on Kikyo's face.
"All done!" She announced cheerfully.
Letting out an amused breath, Kikyo simply nodded with acknowledgement.
"Thank you for your hard work." She replied.
However, still gripping on the collar of her haori, the priestess realized there was still much to be taken care of regarding her current state.
"Rin, would you like to accompany me in a small errand at the nearest village?"
The child's eyes sparked with curiosity at her sudden suggestion.
"What kind of errand?" She inquired with interest, handing the piece cloth back to Kikyo, who lowered her hand down to the stream next to her, dunking the fabric into the water and efficiently rubbing the dirt out of it.
"I require a change of clothes and a new weapon." She explained, rising back up as she wrung the liquid out, "And you could use a fresh supply of food."
Rin's expression filled with enthusiasm at the thought of venturing out with the priestess.
"Rin would love to." She smiled, answering simply, "But Sesshomaru-sama needs to know, first."
Nodding once at her words, Kikyo rose to her feet. Then, she extended her free arm to Rin once again, smiling as small and warm fingers once again entwined with her own, excitedly pulling her forward, leading back to the camp's near area.
Focusing her gaze on Rin's small hand, Kikyo let out a soft breath.
She had almost forgotten the soothing sensation this child had managed to leave in her. Even throughout times like these, this girl's purity was intact, serving as a beacon of hope almost, somehow managing to purify the darkness from her mind and shower her cursed existence with calmness, a rare tranquility that was without condition or complain, only trust.
Stepping into the familiar clearance, Kikyo's thoughts were interrupted by Jaken's presence quickly stepping in their direction.
"Oh, finally!" He exclaimed loudly at their appearance.
She simply lifted her eyes to Sesshomaru, staring at his back in silence as he stood on the edge of the cliff, his gaze still set on the far distance before him as the wind blew rhythmically through his features.
"Return before noon." He suddenly spoke, his voice firm.
Confused, Jaken turned in his master's direction, but his quiet bewilderment was met with no further explanation.
Kikyo only raised an eyebrow at the realization of Sesshomaru once again managing to eavesdrop on her conversation, causing her expression to cross with slight annoyance at his shameless order.
Rin, however, simply raised her head to smile wide up the priestess.
"A-Un!" She called happily to the two-headed dragon, who had been leisurely watching the occurrence before him with ease. Letting go of Kikyo's hand and running towards the large demon, Rin grabbed on his reins and signaled him to rise to his feet, successfully bringing him towards where they were all positioned. Tugging slightly on its reins downwards, Rin made the animal lower itself to the ground once more, this time for an easy access, then climbed on top of its back with ease.
"Rin will navigate!" The child declared with excitement.
'So, this is our means of transportation...' Kikyo realized, a sudden uncertainty spreading within her as she focused her eyes on the large dimensions of A-Un for the longest time.
Sitting against him was one thing, however, riding on top of this youkai's back was another, entirely.
Just then, as if understanding her thoughts through her unreadable expression, A-Un suddenly moved one of his muzzled heads in her direction, nudging it gently into her left shoulder, as if both granting her with a silent promise to be careful while also shamelessly hurrying her into making a decision already.
'He sure takes after his master...' Kikyo mused with wide eyes, slightly shocked.
Exhaling silently, she placed her free hand on his scaly exterior, climbing to sit on top of his saddled back, positioning one leg at each of his sides.
"Do not be late." Came Sesshomaru's demanding voice once again, causing Kikyo to lift her gaze to him, realizing that he had been watching her for quite some time now.
With a simple command from Rin, A-Un rose to his feet, gently soaring upwards and into the sky with ease. Tensing her shoulders, Kikyo lowered herself slightly as she used her spare hand to grip at the dark saddle below her in order to maintain her balance, however the large youkai's movements proved to be far smoother than she had first predicted, making her blink with surprise.
"A-Un is very gentle!" Rin called, turning her head back to the priestess with a smile, "Rin was amazed too, at first!"
Letting out an amused breath, Kikyo's expression softened and she quickly detected the direction of their new destination from their convenient altitude.
"Right there, Rin." She instructed the child, making her turn her attention to the village in the distance. Nodding with understanding, Rin tugged on the reins left, leading A-Un down towards it with ease.
Watching the occurrence from below, Jaken sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping with exhaustion.
Then, he turned around to his master, who just like him, focused his eyes on the three of them as they disappeared into the distance, beyond the tall barks of the trees. Once they completely vanished from sight, the daiyoukai only silently shifted his gaze back to Mt. Hakurei's ruins.
"I understand the miko will be staying with us, my lord?" Jaken asked, a drop of sweat running down the side of his green face.
But his pointless question was once again ignored and left to hover in the air with no answer to follow it.
Entering the village, both Kikyo and Rin were immediately welcomed by the curious mob of elders and children alike, recognizing the priestess from her visit not so long ago. Noticing her messy appearance, however, their expressions quickly turned worried, causing them to instinctively and rapidly flood her with endless questions regarding her health and the cause of such a terrible doing.
Hiding behind Kikyo, Rin was overwhelmed with the sudden, loud swarm of locals, making her turn her hesitated eyes back to A-Un, who was patiently waiting and concealed well between the trees surrounding the village.
"I assure you, I am fine." Kikyo calmly insisted, wearing a soft smile on her face in an attempt to ease the tension in the air, "However, I must ask of a favor from you."
The elders listened as Kikyo specified her current few requirements to them, causing them to nod with understanding as they pointed her to the village's cloth workshop, which was her first stop for the day.
Thanking them for their cooperation, Kikyo lowered her hand to Rin, who was still standing behind her and clutching onto the fabric of her hakama trousers. She only smiled down at the child, patiently awaiting her to grab it. Observing her extended palm for a moment in silence, Rin let go of her uncertainty and took it, both of them passing through the herd of people and on their way to the humble, wooden establishment.
"Please come in, miko-sama." The old seller greeted Kikyo immediately into her shop, its four walls covered with different kinds of garments from ceiling to floor in all sorts of colors, markings and patterns, displaying the wide variety it had to offer, "I was fortunate enough to not have my family's shop caught in the horrendous attack of the Shichinintai members..." She said, escorting them both further inside, "Please, tell me what is it you would like? There are fine kimonos and –"
"Just a basic kosode, mo-bakama and a transportable sewing kit, please." Kikyo said simply.
Surprised, the seller eyed Kikyo curiously for a moment. But given the priestess' impassive expression, the old lady did not attempt to further convince her otherwise.
"Right away, miko-sama." She answered, passing both her and Rin as she stepped deeper into her own workshop. Looking through some of the folded merchandise she held inside of a wooden box, the old seller returned with the desired cloth, "For you, I would recommend this."
Kikyo studied the fabric for a moment, then, took it out of her hands using her free arm.
"Thank you very much." She said, lowering her gaze to Rin, who was quietly watching the exchange.
"Would you wait for me here while I change, Rin?" The priestess asked the child as she stepped to the thin curtain at the corner of the shop, earning her nod of approval.
"Come, you can sit here while you wait!" The elderly woman gestured towards a nearby rug, placed on the wooden floor. But Rin shook her head at the offer, preferring to stand, instead.
Removing her torn haori top, Kikyo let her left hand slump at her side as it was now finally free from its continuous task. She eased the binding confining her red hakama trousers, letting them drop to the floor as she reached back for the loose ribbon somehow still holding most of her dark silky hair in one spot, releasing it completely and letting her long locks freely fall against her bare back and all the way down to her lower waist. Releasing a deep breath, Kikyo basked in the elevating feeling of being free from her miko outfit for a moment, then, reached for her new attire; a standard burgundy kosode with red floral markings and a cream colored mo-bakama. Staring down at it in silence, the priestess ran her fingers on top of the clean garments.
'When was even the last time I had worn something so simple?' She wondered to herself, her mahogany eyes tracing the basic, yet efficient sewing.
Exhaling softly, Kikyo shortly continued with her actions.
Wrapping herself with the basic robe, she reached back to pull all of her long hair out, swiping it forward to rest on top of the right side of her chest. Then, she reached for the mo-bakama, placing the fabric at her high waist as she pulled on the cream straps all the way to her back, tying it over her kosode with a large knot. Even the length was far shorter than she was used to, as it now exposed not only her feet, but also her calves.
But bringing her palms back forward to fix her waist line, Kikyo suddenly stopped as her fingers placed on top of her lower right side.
Setting her eyes on the spot, she felt warmth spread through her body as the sudden and uncalled for memory of Sesshomaru's firm grip ran through her mind, causing her to frown.
Why was she suddenly recalling this sensation? A small memory that she had almost forgotten about, a feeling that she now knew was most likely amplified by her helplessness at that time, a basic and false need for comfort in a moment of weakness, her barely operating mind seeking solace at the strangest of places. And yet, why was this certain type of warmth such a common occurrence lately?
Dusting the fabric as if to vanquish her confusing notions, Kikyo was finally done with her changing. She lowered herself down to collect her tattered and stained miko outfit as well as her hair binding from the floor, then, stepped from behind the curtain into the view of both Rin and the old seller.
The child's eyes widened at the sight as her expression crossed with amazement.
"Oh, these colors sure suit you, miko-sama!" The elderly lady confirmed, pleased with her choice and eyeing Kikyo thoroughly, "I have prepared a sewing kit as well, as you requested."
Thanking the seller once again for her efforts, Kikyo reached for the sleeve of her miko outfit, where she saved a certain amount of currency from her healing services, in case something like this ever happened. The seller, however, stopped and frantically reached inside her pocket once she realized, pulling out a white, long ribbon.
"I apologize, miko-sama, I forgot to offer you a binding for your hair." She said.
Lowering her eyes to her gesture, Kikyo only returned it with a smile.
"Thank you, but I have no need for that." She answered calmly, paying the surprised woman and extending her arm once again to Rin, who gladly took it, both of them exiting the workshop.
Walking through the village, Kikyo received every look from any passerby, be it a welcoming one, a surprised one, or a judging one for her long hair being loose, however, she did not find any of them at all bothering, and she only continued on her way with poise, with Rin's small hand in her own.
Reaching the next establishment on their list, they both stepped behind a thin, straw curtain, entering the blacksmith's workshop.
"Good morning." Kikyo greeted the burly man, causing him to lift his eyes from his actions to her.
Staring at the priestess for a few moments in silence, he only straightened up, rising to his feet.
"Are you the miko who is in need of a bow and arrow?" He asked, stepping closer.
Kikyo eyed him in silence.
"I am." She answered simply.
The blacksmith stood in his place, maintaining his gaze on her.
"I've heard of your beauty, but words truly cannot match it face to face." He said, putting his hands on his hips, "If I didn't already have a wife, I would have gladly made you my own."
Kikyo only let out an amused breath at his sudden and bold compliment, while Rin's shocked face covered with a soft shade of red.
Chuckling, the man turned on his heel and stepped to a back room in his wooden hut, shortly returning with a ceremonial bow and a quiver full of arrow in his hands.
"I had these lying around for years with none to ever purchase them." He admitted, handing her the items, "However, something held me from giving up and throwing them away... you could say this is fate that I'm finally finding them a proper use."
Stopping her hand before making contact with the weapon, Kikyo's mahogany eyes narrowed.
"Fate, huh..." She repeated, a bitter smile spreading on her face as she resumed her movement, accepting them, "How much will that be?"
But he only shook his head, raising both of his stained hands upwards in front of her.
"I cannot take your coins, miko-sama." He expressed confidently, "I have also heard you assisted those children in reaching here, carrying all that food by yourself, therefore I'll be glad to return a favor to you as well."
Propping the arrow quiver on her shoulder, Kikyo only stared at him in silence.
"That is kind of you, thank you very much."
Smiling wide, the blacksmith once again placed his hands on his hips.
"It's the least I could do for such a beautiful miko." He humored, watching as both Kikyo and Rin bowed before him, then turned on their heel, exiting his shop.
The final item on their list was now a fresh supply of food, which thankfully, was to be found located at the farming grounds slightly outside of the village. With her neatly-folded miko outfit draped on her arm and her right hand holding onto her newly-acquired large bow, Kikyo breathed in the fresh air deeply as she watched Rin happily run before her on the thin path separating the vast, planted rice fields, stretching far away into the land.
"Kikyo-sama!" The child called to her excitedly, "Hurry! Hurry!"
This was the first time she had ever seen Rin at this much ease, the carefree sight causing her lips to curve into a genuine smile.
"You must be careful!" She cautioned back to her. But the energy was far too great for Rin's small body, resulting in the child twirling around and laughing against the soft breeze caressing her features.
Kikyo could only let out an amused breath, watching her endless happiness.
And she suddenly realized the bliss of normality in this particular moment; A luxury that she couldn't even experience with Kaede since their time together was invariably dedicated to either practicing archery or guarding the jewel, the chance to bond with another human so peacefully and carelessly, the feeling of genuine freedom, even if false and only for a restricted period of time, was still so undeniably brilliant and was now offered to her so purely... was it because she was dressed in local wear, rather than her priestess outfit, that the weighty obligation latched onto her shoulders suddenly felt as light as a feather?
Keeping her gaze on the child, Kikyo silently watched as she stopped at the presence of flowers growing on the edge of the path.
Was it thanks to Rin?
Letting out a deep and silent breath, Kikyo's expression only turned solemn once again as she quietly continued stepping forward, until both of them finally reached their destination.
'This is but a mere, momentarily escape. That is all.' She regretfully reminded herself.
Still maintaining his position on the edge of the grassy precipice, Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed as his mind went over the previous night's events. Something about the way he charged after the priestess once he realized she was hasty enough to foolishly go after Naraku by herself, caused his eyebrows to meet in slight confusion and disagreement.
It had been a long time since he last felt so anxious, so hurried and overtaken by the blinding will to reach somewhere before it was too late... and how undeniably pleased he was with himself once he could confirm that he indeed managed to prevent that vermin's pitiful attempt at taking her life. Even the silent realization of that filth impudently testing his new abilities on him was cast aside in favor of the notion of that priestess being alive... was he that absorbed with the need to see that she indeed understood the weight of her mistake?
Delving further into his own memories, Sesshomaru's jaw clenched as he recalled his half-brother's cursed presence at the area soon after, the same unnamed heavy feeling spreading within him as if it was a perfectly-synched side effect.
The longing gaze her mahogany eyes carried for him, how her attention was so focused at his forlorn existence, all of it sparking a thousand unnecessary questions within the daiyoukai's mind regarding their connection, even when its nature was plain for any fool to understand by now, still he couldn't help but wonder what was the circumstances of their meeting, fifty years ago? How long have they known each other before Naraku's intervention? And most importantly, how could his half-breed of a brother prove to be so incompetent to not even manage to reach her on time?
Breathing out his accumulated annoyance, Sesshomaru focused his gaze on a different spot in the distance.
Then, he flexed his right hand, opening and closing it in silence.
He could somehow still feel her presence on the tips of his fingers and at the center of his palm. Her imitation body held no warmth, and yet her closeness along with her tight grip on his collar somehow showered him with unhealthy amounts of it, her well-hidden, flowery and fresh sage plant scent; the strong reminiscent of her life and aura still stubbornly remained on his garbs and that fact was bothering him more than he thought it would.
Easing his own stern features, Sesshomaru let out a deep breath.
He would have to get used to it now that he himself had commanded her to stay. Her existence as an evident weakness to a crucial part of Naraku's putrid being is more important, and her influence on that worm will most certainly come in handy in time. Therefore, all he had to do was not pay these meaningless themes any more special attention, that's all.
"Oh! Sesshomaru-sama, they're back!" Jaken's sudden words cut his line of thought as Sesshomaru calmly turned around to face A-Un descending from the sky. But his golden eyes immediately found and focused on Kikyo as he noticed her new casual and simple human attire, her long, straight and unbound hair wild against the wind behind her as the two-headed dragon easily landed on the grassy ground of the clearance. With a smooth movement, she climbed down from the kneeling beast, slowly propping herself with the arrow quiver as she held her new weapon in her right hand. Catching his gaze, her expression was indifferent, yet her mahogany eyes somehow shone brighter next to the lively colors of her current clothes.
Even in a peasant's garments, this woman still exuded an air of confidence and elegance around her.
Remaining in his spot, the daiyoukai silently observed them both as they stepped closer to where he and Jaken were positioned.
"Have you prepared with everything you need?" He calmly demanded.
Stopping at a respectful distance from him, Kikyo lifted her head slightly up at his direction.
"We have." She answered simply.
Silence fell on all souls present for a while as neither Kikyo or Sesshomaru shared anymore words, their expressions never revealing their thoughts or emotions.
Maintaining his gaze on the priestess for a few more moments, Sesshomaru eventually lowered his eyes to Rin, standing at her side.
"We leave tomorrow at dawn, rest for today." He ordered, raising his gaze to the distance as he slowly stepped forward, passing them both on his way to an unspecified location.
The hours passed and dusk soon veiled the sky once again, bringing the cold chilly wind with it. Successfully setting up a small fire to assure them all with heat and proper light, Rin soon continued on the next task on her list, which was collecting various types of flowers a bit deeper into the forest, with Jaken as a convenient means of protection.
Sitting on the grassy ground and leaning her back against the sleeping A-Un, Kikyo focused on a task of her own, which was mending her torn priestess outfit using her newly purchased sewing kit.
She tilted her head slightly, her smooth and long hair falling to her right and all the way to the ground as she focused her eyes with precise attention, poking the thick, pale fabric from one side and pulling the needle from its other, closing the rupture slowly, bit by bit. The light from the fire danced across her actions in a capricious fashion, although it was enough to provide her assistance in completing her current actions.
But sensing the familiar feel of a certain gaze boring into her, the priestess stopped her doings, then lifted her head up, locking her eyes with the source of it.
"Have you never seen anyone sew before?" She asked him calmly.
Sesshomaru kept quiet for a moment, sitting on a large rock not far from her.
"Are you that bothered by a simple stare, miko?" He answered, narrowing his golden eyes at her direction.
Blinking at his question, Kikyo stopped as her mind processed his words. What was it about Sesshomaru's stare in particular that irked her so much?
"I have no intention of attempting to go after Naraku on my own anymore, so you can ease your worries, Sesshomaru." She boldly reassured him, attempting to cast her notions aside as she resumed her task.
The daiyoukai only scoffed at her impudent words.
"Hmph," He mocked simply, "I do not worry."
Neither of them said anything for the longest time as only the cheerful sounds of Rin and Jaken's bickering filled the air and carried to their location.
"Then, is there something you wish to ask?" Kikyo further investigated, glancing up at his direction once again, her expression still unreadable.
Sesshomaru's stare was intense, yet she didnt break his eye contact. Exposed by the way his golden orbs reflected the light from the fire, she could see there was a certain curiosity hovering in them, a need to inquire something and shed light on a certain subject. But this was the most his features would offer her, and instead of following up with proper words to his silent wondering, Sesshomaru turned his head away to stare deep into the forest, at where Rin and Jaken were currently located, disconnecting from their exchange completely.
Kikyo kept her studying gaze on his profile for a few more moments, then lowered her head down to silently continue with her actions, letting out a soft breath.
'Such a peculiar man.' She mused to herself.
A/N:
I just love writing SoL with Kikyo and Rin, and I find it fascinating that Rin herself as a human, is more trusting of demons than her own kind.
Also, yes! I do intend to continue until I finish this story. I still have many themes that I want to explore with both Kikyo and Sesshomaru and many layers to peel off their excellent characters, so stay tuned!
Once again thank you all for your feedback! Please continue telling me what you think, your reviews are my bread and butter, after all!