A/N:
Apologies for the late chapter this time around, my readers. This month has been a busy one, and I vowed not to sit and write for this story unless I could properly commit to it. That said, I will still try to maintain our schedule of one chapter per month - so they may be occasionally late, but they will still be :)
Your reviews always motivate me, too. Thank you very much for your support, it truly warms my heart.
Chapter Forty-One
"Kohaku-kun...?" Rin called to the boy walking beside her, warm brown eyes set on him, "You're really quiet... is everything okay?"
Pulled from the depth of his thoughts, Kohaku only breathed the freshness of the forest deeply and then turned to her.
"I'm fine." He claimed through a half of a smile, but his eye-contact did not hold for long as he quickly placed it forward to the rest of the trail before him, onto the imp-demon's small back who was trotting ahead of the two of them in their current journey to gather some wild mushrooms for their next meal.
Interested, Rin's gaze kept on the taijiya's freckled profile for a bit longer, attempting to perhaps unveil a bit more information on the new matter occupying her thoughts;
The reason why her companions suddenly seemed so distant, so troubled, ever since that one afternoon in which they had all climbed up to the pretty ruler's mysterious palace, the same day she found herself awake for one moment, and then completely exhausted for the next, with the last thing she now even remembered from the experience being the unbearable feel of fatigue pouring heavily into her limbs, along with shortly waking up so very tired to see both her master and the priestess, their worried and yet relieved gazes showering her with both kindness and warmth.
Looks that she hadn't seen for such a long time...
But as much as the child loved the rare expressiveness so clear in their otherwise unreadable eyes... something still felt odd about it.
And the longer she listened to the calmness of the forest all around her, the dry leaves crackling between the bare soles of her feet to the rocky path beneath it, the swaying of tree branches above her head and the whisper of wind through the tall grass at her sides, was the more Rin sensed her curiosity sparking louder than any other sound, ringing in her ears and making it impossible to stray her thoughts away from her own secret pondering;
What had really happened up there, that it was now as if no one else was willing to even speak about...?
With that heavy uncertainty spreading in her small body and weighing on her mind, the child's steps gradually slowed until she stopped in her tracks entirely, bringing up a curled fist to her chest as her expression crossed with worry.
And soon, both Kohaku and Jaken noticed the deafening lack of her cheerful presence, halting their movement as well, then turning back to watch her.
"Rin?" The boy inquired.
Hesitant, the girl blinked up at him with a hint of sadness.
"Rin doesn't like this." She eventually said through a small voice, "Rin... noticed something was wrong when we woke up yesterday morning... and ever since then you barely even look at Rin, Kohaku-kun..."
Hearing that unexpected and sudden honesty, Kohaku turned fully in her direction.
Then and after a long moment of silence, he only exhaled his breath.
"I'm sorry, Rin." He said, tense dark-clad shoulders easing, "You're right, I've been distant lately, haven't I...?"
Rin nodded with confirmation, watching him.
However, the air between them was filled to the brim with a certain heaviness still, a tension of unspoken, hanging words that draped over the three of them like the densest of fogs.
And further trusting her own feelings, the girl did not stir from her spot.
"Can you tell Rin..." She pressed, "About what really happened to her, before...?"
Sighing deeply, Jaken shook his head and stepped back in their direction.
"Now, child, there is no need for you worry yourself over something like that." The imp-demon answered instead, impatience clear in his tone, "We must not waste dear time, let us keep moving."
Remaining in his place despite the instruction, however, Kohaku only swallowed harshly and lowered his dark brown gaze to the ground, prompting Rin to fix her attention on him.
"You... died, Rin." The taijiya eventually replied.
Jaken's yellow eyes widened to his defiance as a few drops of sweat appeared on his forehead.
The unnerving and unthinkable sight of his all-powerful master so utterly defeated like that was still fresh in his mind, sending a terrible chill through his short systems and effortlessly turning his stomach while making him clench his wooden staff in its costmary place grasped tight against his body.
And just like that, silence rolled upon their exchange like a thick blanket once again.
"Rin died?" The girl echoed with disbelief and somewhat confusion, attempting to remember anything from the experience, but to no avail.
"It is of the past, Rin!" Jaken exclaimed with irritation, "Thanks to that miko's frightening abilities you were brought back to life, and that is all that matters now."
But Rin remained quiet where she stood, processing the information for a bit longer.
"Kikyo-sama saved Rin?" She further investigated, the worry now replaced with avid interest.
Noticing her somewhat happier tone, Kohaku glanced up at his companion.
"Does it not scare you, knowing about what happened?" He asked.
The girl stared at him, then shook her head in response.
"Fool, Rin was already revived by Sesshomaru-sama once before." Jaken reminded.
And it didn't take long for the memory to shortly surface in the boy's mind; the information his master's mother had shared with them all regarding the daiyoukai's previous actions with Tenseiga, as well as the reason he could not repeat those now.
"So Kikyo-sama can do that too..." Rin acknowledged, finally resuming her small steps in their direction, "Amazing...!"
"Hmph." The imp-demon immediately scoffed loudly to her words.
"More than amazing..." Kohaku swallowed, placing his now stern gaze onto the continuation of their makeshift trail ahead, "Both Sesshomaru-sama and Kikyo-sama... can most definitely defeat Naraku with their powers."
Noticing the seriousness in his tone of voice, Rin couldn't help but feel the pang of unease, yet again.
However, before she managed to say anything this time, Kohaku soon met her eyes.
"They were really worried, you know." He casually informed.
Hearing that, the girl's expression crossed with surprised.
"Really? For Rin's sake?" She asked.
"Now you listen here, Rin!" Jaken suddenly called, whipping his head once more in their direction, "Do not take their worry for granted, you hear?"
And lifting her vision back to the boy walking beside her, Rin was only met with Kohaku's quiet, but avid agreement.
Then, she simply lowered her eyes to the dry leaf-covered ground before her feet, processing the new information to herself.
This... was probably why everyone seemed so shaken by the event.
Right then and slipping under her attention, a string of words floated into her conscious, something that she heard while sharing a private exchange with the young taijiya once before, and a meaning that somehow etched into her mind without ever letting go...
"You're just a regular human after all, you know?"
"Rin." The same voice abruptly called her from her musings, yet this time riddled with guilt, prompting warm brown eyes to relocate dark, troubled ones, "I'm sorry... that I wasn't able to protect you like I promised."
Watching him like that for a long moment, Rin only shook her head.
"It's okay, Kohaku-kun." She told him, smiling, "You're still training, after all."
His eyes widened with a hint of confusion to her answer, and the boy's stare lingered on her small being.
Then, he tilted his head, interest clear in his freckled features.
"How do you do that?" He investigated while observing her, "How do you smile... and stay so positive even after going through so many painful experiences?"
Rin considered his question for a while, eventually setting her gaze once more onto the colourful ground.
"Rin doesn't really know how to explain it." She ultimately answered, aiming her steps to land precisely in the middle of each large and orange leaf scattered on the earth before her, "But good things come to you when you smile, Kohaku-kun! That's how Rin met Sesshomaru-sama and Kikyo-sama... and also..." She paused, breathing, "Rin knows that her family would've wanted her to smile."
Taking in the reply, Kohaku watched her actions with silence.
And soon, a certain consuming realization manifested within him, causing him to inhale deeply as he mirrored the girl's act and lowered his vision to his feet, as well;
Could his wish to sacrifice his own life really be considered as fighting, if all he does by that is preferring to give up the painful battle from the start, remaining stagnant in his place instead of choosing to move forward and take the harsh steps just like Rin, a young girl who knew no less misfortune than he did?
Taking all of that into his consideration, could that resolve which he so strongly clung to... truly be called one of honor?
"You know, Kohaku-kun." Rin's next words invited him to calmly find her presence again, "You can overcome whatever's bothering you. We all think you can do it... even Jaken-sama!"
"I said nothing of the sort!" The imp-demon croaked from his far position.
And with that, Kohaku could only release a deep breath, finally returning her smile.
"Thank you, Rin." He told her simply, "I appreciate it."
Not very far from the location of their companions' trip, Sesshomaru and Kikyo stood in silence a tad outside of their camp's boundaries, the fire behind them burning low on its bright coals and reassuring A-Un's comfortable rest, his scaly form nestled between the mossy trees, lush ferns and vines growing all around him. The days have been easy and calm lately, and the wind strangely carried no trace of any danger whatsoever, making it seem so oddly quiet, so very soothing.
However, as much as they would have much preferred to take in the cleansing peacefulness of their current whereabouts... by now, both the daiyoukai and the priestess were already keenly aware that prolonged silence coming from their cursed enemy could only mean that the smoothness of the surface was merely deceptive, and beneath that roamed shadows that simply waited for the right opportunity to strike.
"The vermin is weaving another pitiful plan from his cowardly hiding place, huh." Sesshomaru deducted, disdain clear in his expression.
"Most likely." Kikyo said, raising her attention to the endless skies above, "I have not sensed Moryoumaru's presence for quite some time now, either... do you suppose he was slain?"
The mere mention of the wretched name caused her companion's frown to deepen into a scowl.
"If he was, then that scum is lucky, for I, Sesshomaru, would have made his departure from this world a true living hell." He hissed.
Kikyo breathed, then shifted to rest her gaze on Sesshomaru's profile, standing beside her.
And as if inviting him to meet her eyes, his golden orbs soon found her deep mahogany ones, studying into her in silence for a long while in which neither of them spoke a word into the air between them.
"What is it?" Kikyo eventually coaxed him, trying to ignore and conceal the stubborn heat that quickly spread through her as a result of his undivided attention aimed solely at her like that, warming her face in a way which thankfully could not be seen.
Sesshomaru refrained from answering for another moment, then only set his jaw with intent.
"Do you still believe in the instructions which that dead, ancient miko had entrusted upon you?" He tested, his voice low.
Surprised, Kikyo processed his inquiry in silence.
Same as that single night by the fire in which they had discussed the subject for the first time, she noted, there was an undeniable hint of scepticism behind his words once again, a strange unwillingness to accept this method that could very well be their only shot at promising the death of Naraku.
Unlike then, however, Kikyo was now ready to unravel the hidden matter supporting his disagreement.
"What is the true reason behind you being so oddly against it, Sesshomaru?" The priestess investigated, watching him closely.
The daiyoukai raised his chin, standing his ground to her intensity.
Then, he only placed his vision away from her cleverness, to the far distance ahead of him.
"Although for different reasons, both that woman and that vermin still wish for the completion of the Shikon Jewel, and this sole fact bears more than enough grounds to question her plan." Sesshomaru determined.
Absorbing his opinion, Kikyo remained quiet.
Even though Sesshomaru was technically right with his observation, as Midoriko indeed sought to complete the jewel just as Naraku set to do, there were still unquestionable, opposite differences in the reasons behind their plans, as well as in their ultimate goals...
Was the fact that both of them were at such equal ends of the spectrum perhaps what bothered him the most?
However, as much as she wished to just put her thoughts finally to rest in the bed of that simple assumption, the priestess couldn't help but still sense a different kind of truth laced carefully into his voice, hidden and guarded behind every syllable like the most precious of secrets.
Before she could dwell more on the possible theories brewing in her head, though, Sesshomaru turned and found her being yet again, meeting her keen gaze.
"I shall leave to test the area." He firmly told her, "If that filth thinks he can slip any pathetic plan under our notice, then he is gravely mistaken."
Hearing that, Kikyo nodded once.
Yet, before her partner of the conversation managed to fully depart from their exchange, she found herself suddenly overcome with a rather distant and nostalgic need, an impulse that managed to temporarily overrun her poise and manifest easily through her.
"Return safely to us." She said, unable to rid her voice well enough from the sudden, strong feeling, and it was not until the sentence left her mouth that Kikyo bit her lower lip, attempting to compose herself once more before him.
Stilled, his golden gaze remained on her for a bit longer as if basking in one of the specific, rare and honest sights of her, then, Sesshomaru wordlessly shifted his stern attention to the sky above, and the priestess watched as his draped fur extended below him, elevating him elegantly into the air and carrying him away into the endless, blue horizon.
And once he was far enough, she only sighed.
'How unbecoming...' Kikyo reprimanded herself for somewhat failing at composing her own emotions, a single fair hand rising up to fix her long, purplish-black hair back into place.
However, even she knew well enough by now... that there was no alternative way for her to witness this situation between them, no other way to call it, and therefore no true knowing of the odd and embarrassing affects it could have on her in the future;
Sesshomaru and her... were now lovers.
Suddenly, a familiar reading shot through her conscious, rudely interrupting her secret musings as the clear skies immediately filled with charged, stormy clouds, their thunder rumbling through the forest and shaking the ground under her feet, causing A-Un to wake all at once while the two-heads rose to the dramatic commotion above them.
And sure enough, the single lightning strike tore loudly through the air, sending to strike in the middle of the clearing as dark smoke gathered around the impact, obscuring the once tranquil view.
Unfazed, Kikyo stared at the occurrence before her.
"As usual, you have just missed him." She dryly said to the thickness of the fog.
Once the screen of blackness dissipated into the air, round and wide eyes bulging from their wrinkled face fixed on her, hunched form and a single long hammer held between his crossed arms over his withered chest greeting her being.
"Oh? I'm afraid you are mistaken, I was waiting for him to leave." Totosai countered ever-so-casually.
Kikyo raised a single eyebrow to his words.
And she only maintained her careful silence, watching the old swordsmith closely.
"Now, now." He coughed under her glare, understanding precisely what the woman in front of him was accusing him with through her quiet, "I am aware that I had perhaps omitted a few details regarding Tenseiga's method of strengthening, however –"
"Omitted a few details, huh?" Kikyo coldly mocked into his upcoming excuse, hissing, "Then, I suggest you choose your words carefully this time, Totosai."
The hostility effortlessly emanated from her once tolerating being, the doubt she now held in his reasons clear in the way she stood rigid before him;
The man who treated Rin as nothing but a sack of grain, to be substituted for progress and power, food for the blade he forged.
Flinching, he lifted a single withered hand to scratch his bald head, retreating backwards in his seat on top of his three-eyed ox.
"W-Well, that is why I am here today, Kikyo." He said, swallowing harshly, "You did not deserve the same treatment as Sesshomaru when it comes to Tenseiga I realized, and so, I am here to grant you with an important piece of information, you see."
Wordlessly, the priestess only kept her fixed gaze on his being, fair features completely unreadable.
Then, the old swordsmith cleared his throat.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, Kikyo..." Totosai began, round orbs observing the woman standing before him, "You have wielded Tenseiga yourself, have you not? I've sensed an odd surge in the sword's powers not too long ago."
And easily like that, he caught both the uncertainty and guilt temporarily flashing in her expression to the memory.
However, staring at Kikyo for a long moment in silence, the old youkai only closed his eyes and shook his head.
"No, no, no... this won't do." He determined, wide gaze opening once more to meet her calm one, "Despite all that happened until now, you must discard any doubts you have in Tenseiga."
The soft wind blew in the long grass, sending an even melody into the air between them as if adding more weight to the swordsmith's words, causing the priestess to slightly raise her chin before him.
"Why?" She chose to test, her voice low.
Witnessing the somewhat amicable cooperation in her at long last, Totosai signalled for his ox to step forward, closer to the woman.
"You must have noticed it yourself..." He continued, "That day, Tenseiga reacted to your existence... to your specific touch."
Kikyo breathed in deeply, recalling the unforgettable sensation that coursed through her that day, the same one which she could still feel even now, the residues of tingling at the tips of her fingers, that same unnamed exhilaration that spread through her body and filled her to the brim, warm, right and inviting...
However, despite the pleasant experience soothing her mind, Kikyo couldn't help but wonder and especially now;
Why would the great Inu no Taisho design a blade like that... one that reacted to something that is the farthest thing from youkai nature, for Sesshomaru to use, of all people?
Was the understanding between the two of them truly that limited even though the same blood flows through their veins? Or perhaps, as she theorized before, it is a form of punishment, after all?
She had to ask.
At this point, she deserved to know.
"Tell me, Totosai..." Kikyo began, studying his being, "If the point behind Sesshomaru's trials is simply to teach him of selfless emotions... then why are these tests given to him by his own father all ridden with such avid cruelty?"
Refraining from speaking, Totosai did not stir in his seat.
Eventually, he sighed, easing his scrawny shoulders.
"Well, as they say..." The swordsmith casually answered, nodding before her, "Conquerors should be received with the rites of mourning."
Kikyo kept her quiet to his words, prompting him to explain his stance further.
"Sesshomaru has lived for long, and in his lifetime he had acted with inexcusable cruelty, blinded by greed and his thirst for power, as well as his hatred for all that was different than him, especially towards his younger, half-brother, whom you already know well."
She set her jaw to the information, yet still did not say anything.
"You can say this is the way the great Inu no Taisho, Togashimaru, had chosen in order to assist his eldest in discovering the right path in life." His calloused fingers twirled around his scraggly beard, "To broaden his worldview and rid him from his obsession of that which he could only see with his eyes... to learn what is really important, and where true power sources from."
Analysing the knowledge, the priestess remained stilled before him, ultimately lowering her stern gaze to the grassy earth below her.
'In order to prevent that endless, enslaving escalation and cure him from his eventual avarice, huh...' She mused.
There was no greater disaster than discontent, after all. No worse than wishing for more than you truly need or should have, foolishly believing it is you who controls the appetite and not the other way around.
And Sesshomaru's father was wise enough to predict where someone like his son would ultimately end up, without the proper guidance.
But then, does that also mean...
"Send your desires away, and you shall uncover the unseen, be filled with desires and you will see through them nothing but the physical manifestation." Totosai's words caught her attention, making her find his wide vision, yet again, "I've always been fond of this saying, you must have heard of it too, Kikyo."
Nodding once with confirmation, she lowered her head.
"Then, Tenseiga is truly..." Kikyo breathed with disbelief still, mahogany brown fixed on his being.
"Oho." The old youkai raised his bearded chin, "So you finally figured it out."
Pleased with her sharpness, he shifted in his seat, propping his arm leisurely over his bent knee.
"The great Inu no Taisho wished for Sesshomaru to understand the concept of spirituality, rather than that of materialism." He explained, voice firm, "That is why Tenseiga is a sword with the ability to save and purify souls... it is a blade not of this world; one of spiritual power."
Kikyo blinked, inhaling sharply to the unexpected revelation.
And she could only straighten herself before him, taking all of the new information in.
Her subtle reaction, however, did not escape the old swordsmith's attention.
"Therefore, Kikyo, you can now understand why the blade had reacted to your specific touch... why it resonated with you." Totosai concluded, "Sesshomaru was lacking precisely someone like you until now; an experienced fighter who is already well-versed in the concept of spiritual power, who selflessly protected her village for so many years... someone who knows where true strength sources from."
With that, they both fell into silence as the high leaves above them rattled along with the breeze, their calm movement allowing the afternoon sun to filter through the dense greenery with several arbitrary spots that lit the earth all around them, slowly swaying and changing according to the movement of the trees.
And right before they managed to resume their important exchange, a certain fierce and unparalleled aura swiftly approached their location, revealing none other than Sesshomaru, descending from above and immediately grabbing their gazes, his dark-clad feet gracefully meeting the softness of the grass one after the other.
His expression, however, was twisted with simmering anger.
"Totosai, huh." The daiyoukai hissed his name like a curse, icy golden eyes fixed like those of a predator on its prey and his sole, clawed hand rising up to crack its knuckles with intent, "Showing your face here... you must truly desire death by my hands."
Yet, as soon as he made his first step forward, Kikyo calmly moved into his lane, seizing his attention.
And once Sesshomaru lowered his gaze to her close presence, he saw the silent request transmitting to him vividly through the depths in her fine eyes, drawing him in and subsiding his anger, asking for him to hold his killing intent, for now.
Staring down at her through a moderately calmer expression now, he only scoffed loudly and lowered his hand back at his side, narrowing his line of vision at the old swordsmith, instead.
"What is the meaning of this." The daiyoukai reluctantly demanded, sharp glare fixed on the unwelcomed guest.
Careful, Totosai rose slowly from behind the safety of his sturdy three-eyed ox, his round eyes blinking.
"Only delivering some valued information out of my own volition!" He called as if asking for a pat on the shoulder, climbing back onto his trusty companion, "No need for any killing!"
Hearing that questionable answer, Sesshomaru glanced down to Kikyo at his side.
And the priestess simply nodded once before him, confirming the swordsmith's words.
Once the renewed hostility in the air lessened enough for him to trust his voice would not call for his own death, Totosai cleared his throat into his balled fist, setting his gaze on both Sesshomaru and Kikyo.
"Well, since you're already here, Sesshomaru, I might as well share a few facts with you, too." He said, nodding, "Specifically about what the two of you are trying to accomplish... that new path you're attempting to forge."
Hearing that, their gazes sharpened.
"That is none of your business." Sesshomaru cautioned, golden eyes narrowing.
"Indeed," The old youkai cocked his head to the side comically, "However, after speaking with your honorable mother, Sesshomaru, I feel somewhat obliged of telling you a most important piece of knowledge."
Then, he turned his attention to the more receptive of the two.
"You must not forget that the path you wish to forge is a deviation from the natural course of fate, as you have already died fifty years ago, Kikyo." Totosai explained, watching her closely, "Bearing that in mind, you must take into consideration that deciding to go against your already written destiny will bear inevitable consequences."
Silent, he gave the information a few moments to settle within both the daiyoukai and the priestess.
And he simply lowered his head with interest, his examining gaze never leaving their beings.
"Are you two prepared for that?"
His question left to hover in the open space, the words like a screen of mist before them.
Yet, even through that curtain of warning, the old youkai could see no trace of hesitation in their keen eyes, no need for them to even exchange their glances in order to confirm their united answer before him.
"You have said it yourself before, Totosai." Kikyo eventually answered, her voice calm and translucent as still waters, "I have spent the entirety of my previous life chained to the duty of protecting both the Shikon Jewel and my village..."
With that, she only raised her chin with determination while the gentle wind swayed her long and unbound hair behind her.
"This time, I believe I am ready to choose my own path, and carve my own destiny within this world." She calmly confirmed.
And the single pulse of Tenseiga was enough for the swordsmith to know it was enough.
"Well then, my job here is done!" Totosai called eccentrically, stretching his arms.
Stilled, both Sesshomaru and Kikyo observed him tap his trusty ox twice on its rear, telling it to prepare for its dramatic departure, yet again.
However, just as the skies above their heads began to fill with stormy clouds and crackles of lightning, they witnessed their guest turning his head to the side, narrowing his large eyes as if trying to remember something.
"Hmm? What is it that you told me once before, Sesshomaru?" He croaked into the air, "Depending on its user, a sword can either live or die, was it not?" Then, he finally met the daiyoukai's stern look, "Eventually, it all comes down to what you make of it."
As soon as the last word left his mouth, lightning shot from above to strike the ground where he stood, tearing through the earth and obscuring the scene with heavy fog while the thunder rolled to echo through the forest, the sound bouncing all around them until finally dissipating into the air.
Easy as he came, the smoke cleared, and he was gone.
Releasing a deep breath as if to further rid herself from the unwanted presence, Kikyo's fair features eased.
Then, she glanced up to Sesshomaru standing idly beside her, noticing his golden gaze was already placed on her.
Maintaining his eye-contact in silence like that, neither of them spoke a word into the now calm air for a long while.
And eventually, the priestess tilted her head slightly to the side.
"Reading me through my spiritual aura, again?" She teasingly asked.
But Sesshomaru simply raised a single dark eyebrow to her inquiry.
"Hmph." He scoffed down at her, "I, Sesshomaru, no longer require to do so in order to understand your emotions."
Hearing that, Kikyo kept her even stare up at him.
Then, the inu daiyoukai raised his chin.
"Especially when you wear them so clearly for me to see." He notified, observing her reaction closely.
And the way Kikyo's parted lips closed with the faintest hint of embarrassment, was enough for a feeling of triumph to fill his chest.
"Sesshomaru-sama! Kikyo-sama!" Rin's cheerful voice suddenly called from the near depths of the forest, pulling them from their close exchange, "We've found so many tasty mushrooms and fruits you wouldn't believe!"
They turned to the child as she stormed through the bushes, her short arms spilling with the food she gathered and her excited face covered with dirt. They watched her rush across the hill to the camp's location, leaving a trail of forgotten leaves to waft aimlessly behind her as she went along.
"Wait! Rin!" Jaken screeched behind her with exhaustion, struggling to maintain the loot gathered in his garbs as well, "Good grief, this child!"
Following after the two of them, Kohaku was the last to return safely from the trip, his arms supporting enough firewood to sustain their flames for a few hours at least. Wearing a calm smile on his freckled face, he stepped evenly across the grassy field, eventually reaching the camp and lowering himself on one knee inside its boundaries to release the heavy materials he had gathered onto the earth with a loud clatter.
Then, the boy stood up to dust himself off, drawing in a single long breath.
"Sesshomaru-sama." He said, turning to his master standing not far from him and seizing Kikyo's attention as well, "After dinner... is it alright for us to train, once more?"
Quiet, both Sesshomaru and Kikyo studied the newfound will in him, a glint of confidence in his dark brown eyes that wasn't there before;
Motivation.
And with that realization, the daiyoukai lowered his head, preserving the boy's eye-contact.
"Very well." He answered.
Still peaceful, the days continued to pass with ease as the group progressed in their seemingly-endless journey, the uneventful routine revealing no hidden ploys nor anymore unwanted visitors. Even the weather seemed in their favour as the warm sun above graced the partially-clouded skies and purged even the high edge of the land they were currently passing from the chilling cold of their altitude, inviting nothing but tranquillity to their senses.
"It sure has been quiet lately, hasn't it, Jaken-sama?" Rin said, laying on top of A-Un's saddle while watching the clouds drift by beyond the tops of the trees.
Waking him from his soft nap while he walked beside the two-headed dragon, the imp-demon nodded.
"Indeed." He agreed, eyelids falling shut once again, "However, if you ask me, Rin, I much prefer it this way."
The girl hummed, rolling to lie on her stomach as her limbs draped leisurely over the surface she was sprawled on.
"You're probably right, Jaken-sama..." She said, wide gaze fixed on him.
"Probably? Such insolence! Of course I am." The imp-demon narrowed his yellow orbs up at her.
But Rin's attention was already placed far ahead of the trail they were currently walking, to the backs of both her master and the priestess, quietly striding ahead in their familiar regal silence.
Eventually, she flipped herself once more on her back, brown eyes locating the skies above, yet again.
Right there and much to her surprise, between the misty clouds and almost too far to even notice, she suddenly deciphered an outline of a beast, something that seemed like a large, pale-colored cat with fire burning at its dark paws and long tail, gliding through the air until it soon vanished behind the next group of dense clouds, concealing it from her sight as if it was never even there in the first place.
"Oh." Rin uttered, blinking.
Then, she lifted herself to a sitting position, keeping her gaze upwards at the spot, which now contained nothing but soft white and blue.
Was it only her imagination playing tricks on her...?
"What is it, Rin?" Jaken inquired, sighing with tiredness.
But the girl provided him with no answer, scanning her surroundings to see if anyone else managed to catch the odd find. Quiet, she placed her interested line of vision ahead, noticing Sesshomaru and Kikyo were still walking calmly before them, now seemingly engaged in some kind of a conversation, most likely not deeming the reading as anything even worth looking into.
"Rin just saw something..." She eventually shared, turning back to examine Kohaku, who was walking behind them, this time.
And once she settled her gaze on him, the girl watched as the boy's eyes lingered upwards, still, exactly to the same place, his expression which showed a considerable amount of courage in it lately now crossing with undeniable sadness.
"Ane-ue..." She heard him whisper into the air.
A/N:
Back in chapter eleven, I've said that the reason I had started to see undeniable compatibility between Sesshomaru and Kikyo is the fact that Kikyo could also see the pall-bearers of the underworld and thus bring the dead back to life.
Now, I can finally tell you that the same understanding inevitably also got me thinking further about what it means for them both to even share this unique ability in the first place, and by extension, what kind of sword Tenseiga actually is... and so, my personal headcanon based on those facts laced into the canon story all lead me to believe that Tenseiga is indeed spiritually-based, (able to not only save souls but even to purify them) and therefore, fits precisely with someone like our powerful Kikyo; someone who could assist Sesshomaru in further stepping out of his comfort zone and understanding this strange gift that he received from his father, while also pushing him to make the most out of it in the process.