Tainted Silver
- Chapter 3 -
A/N: This is Sess/Kag. Enjoy and give it a chance.
Kagome looked around as Rin pointed out her surroundings.
"That's the duck pond," she said pointing at a small lake.
A female duck waddled into sight, her ducklings loyally following, to emphasize the fact that it was indeed a duck pond.
"There are flowers everywhere! Rin picks them for Sesshoumaru-sama."
Kagome nodded while looking around at the myriad of wild flowers.
'Sesshoumaru? That must be her father's name.'
"Are you tired Kagome-chan? Rin's tired."
"Huh?'
Rin pointed to a nearby bench.
"Yes, I am tired."
Rin quickly pulled her onto the wooden bench and dangled her legs.
"Where are you from Kagome-chan?"
"I'm uh… I'm from a village that's a bit far from here."
"How far?"
"Very far."
"Then what are you doing so far from home?"
"I was being chased by this dog you see," she said nervously.
'Hey, it's not that far from the truth,' she thought.
"Do you have a family?"
"No, I only have my grandfather."
"Can we go now? The others must wonder where Rin is."
Kagome quickly nodded and stood along side the young girl.
"Is Kagome-chan married?"
"Iie."
"Good."
"Good?" she asked, even though her question would likely go unanswered.
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"Where is Rin?" a voice growled.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!"
"Answer my question!"
The group looked at each other questioningly and shrugged.
"You were supposed to watch her damnit," he snarled, all of them shivering in response.
The front door opened and closed. All of them cast hopeful glances at each other.
"I smell two humans," he growled, glaring at them.
His eyes landed on the young boys, whom cowered in guilt and fear.
"Well?" he growled menacingly.
The boys gripped a young woman with fear. The man growled again and left.
"This isn't going to end well," the female said finally.
"I agree," the male responded.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!"
Kagome looked towards the dark hallway the young child was speaking towards. Two golden eyes bore into her own grey eyes.
"Human," a voice said, and fear kept her rooted to the spot.
'H-Human?' she thought. 'If he's not human, what is he?!'
His eyes left her, scanning the young girl instead.
"You're cut and bruised," he growled.
Kagome screamed suddenly, being lifted off the ground by the man. She clawed at the hands gripping her neck to no avail.
"How dare you hurt an innocent child so as to lead you here!"
"Sesshoumaru-sama! No!"
The voice of the girl, Rin, faded as she found herself thrown over the man's shoulder. She pounded on his back while screaming her lungs out.
"Let go! Let-"
The man suddenly shoved her to the ground. Her head hit the cold floor twice, having bounced back up the first time. She heard metal hit metal before giving into the darkness.
"Sesshoumaru! That was uncalled for!" yelled the young female from before.
"Don't argue Sango," he growled.
"Kagome-chan saved Rin!" the young girl said between heart-felt tears.
"Rin," he said softly.
"No!"
Rin ran up the stairs. He restrained a sigh and turned to Sango and Miroku. They both looked at him expectantly.
"What?" he sneered.
"Nothing," they said, crossing their arms.
"She's just another gold digger feigning innocence."
"She's not," whispered a young boy.
"Souta!" exclaimed Sango. "Look Miroku, he's talking!"
Miroku nodded, a fond smile on his face.
"She's a good person," Souta whispered, "and very much innocent."
"How would you know?" snarled Sesshomaru.
"You forget his curse," added another boy, "he can see other's auras. He's got quite a skill."
"Kohaku's right," said Miroku.
"You, of all people, should know if she lies and has cruel intentions, ne Sesshoumaru-sama?" questioned Souta.
Sango turned to Sesshoumaru.
"We understand that you're overprotective of Rin and all, but you scared all of us by putting the young girl in the basement."
"Under lock and chain, no less," said Miroku.
"I have no time to listen to your ramblings," he sneered, unwilling to admit his mistake.
"We've got all the time in the world," an old voice croaked, "and you know so Sesshoumaru."
An old woman appeared at the top of the stair case, Rin in hand.
"Kaede healed Rin!" the young girl happily proclaimed.
"I heard you all the way up there," Kaede said slowly, walking down the stairs, "and I've got a question for you."
Sesshoumaru watched her step onto the last stair and face him, Rin blending into the group.
"You test my patience old woman," he growled.
"Calm yourself."
"Ask your question and let me be on my way!" he demanded.
"How dare you mistreat a young woman who only saved young Rin from drowning?"
"I would've heard her if she was-"
"That far out of the barrier?" she questioned.
Rin looked up at Sesshoumaru with childish innocence.
"Kagome-chan saved Rin," she whispered.
He narrowed his eyes at all of them.
"Do as you please."
He walked up the stairs, his footsteps echoing in the silence. His door closed with a resounding bang. They cringed as something fell from the force of the door hitting its frame.
"Well? Spring into action you fools! Fetch the young girl!"
They all quickly scampered down the stairs, following the elder woman's orders.
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"Kagome!"
"Shit," growled Naraku.
"Where's Kagome you bastard?!"
"Obviously not here idiots."
"Hey, look," said InuYasha softly.
"What is it?"
"Kagome's bag," growled InuYasha, his eyes settling on Naraku.
"Find anything boys?" asked a soldier that acted as peacemaker in their small town.
"Yeah. We think Naraku did something to Kagome," said InuYasha angrily.
"Look at him and the ground! Kagome struggled to the end and then ran!" Kouga said proudly.
"Who's this bastard?"
"Naraku," stated one of the people that surrounded them.
"Naraku? The murderer Naraku?"
"Mm-hmm," they all said.
"Sir," the soldier said, several of his companions emerging from the crowd, "I'm afraid you're coming with us for the murder of Kagura and Kanna Nihsnek and the disappearance of Kagome Higurashi."
"If I refuse?"
"You are in no condition to refuse sir," said the soldier while drawing his sword.
"Kouga," said InuYasha, "I'll leave it to you to explain to Kagome's grandfather what happened."
"What did happen?"
"Naraku attacked Kagome and she ran into the forest."
"We should-."
"The soldiers are already doing that."
Kouga nodded and left towards the other side of the town. InuYasha stared at the forest longingly.
"Kagome…"
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"Naraku Isarugi, you are hereby condemned to death by our laws for the murder of Kagura and Kanna Nihsnek. Before you are killed, however, you will be severely whipped and questioned on Higurashi's whereabouts. Have you any evidence that may indicate your innocence?"
"I've been framed!" he yelled.
"I see. Guards!"
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"Sesshomaru-sama?"
"Yes Rin?"
"Will you let Kagome-chan go home to her grandfather?"
"No Rin."
"But-"
"She will alert her kind and they will come to take you away and try to kill us."
"No she won't! Kagome-chan saved Rin's life!"
"She will not leave and that is final!"
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Kagome awoke to a sun-filled room with figures huddled over her.
"Look! She's waking up!"
"I can see that love."
"All the wounds should be gone now."
Kagome resisted the urge to keep sleeping but in the end it won over her resistance.
"Aww… Let's go guys, she must be exhausted anyways."
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"Rin, sit still and eat your dinner."
"Yes Sesshoumaru-sama," she whispered.
"Where is the other human?"
"Her name is Kagome," interrupted Sango.
"Human."
"Kagome."
"Human."
"Ka-Go-Me."
"Fine," he growled through gritted teeth, "Kagome."
"She is sleeping."
"I demand her presence here."
"I repeat to you that she is resting after the beating you gave her."
Sesshoumaru stood up and left the dining room. Sango sighed and muttered a few curses his way.
"Woman! Come out!"
"Why?" asked Kagome, armed with a vase in the locked room.
"I demand your presence at our dining room human!"
"Kagome!" somebody screamed from the first floor.
"I refuse to leave the room unless it is to go on my way to my own home!"
"You will not leave this castle Kagome so you might as well follow our rules or suffer the consequences!"
"I refuse to leave this room!"
Silence filled the room as Sesshomaru left. She cringed when she heard various objects hit the floor and break. Tears filled her eyes and spilled as her head hit the white pillow.
'I am a prisoner here and I will never see my grandfather again.'
She cried her worries into the pillow. Several minutes later she heard a knock on her door. She ignored it, turning the other way.
"Leave me alone," she whispered.
"You'd be better off with company."
Kagome shot up, quickly turning to see a young woman on the edge of the bed she was on.
"How did you-"
Sango's smile faded at Kagome's panicked expression. She stood up and opened the door to let others in.
"First of all, we'll tell you our stories…"
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"So you came in because you can walk through walls?" Kagome asked, animatedly patting a young demon cat.
"Yes. Kirara there is a full demon, but a bit more on the gentle side."
"Wow…"
"Kagome," Miroku suddenly said, "never go into any of the locked rooms."
"Huh? Why not?" she asked, naturally curious.
"None of us are allowed into them because Sesshoumaru said so and we rely on his judgment."
"Alright I guess."
"Good. I'll retire then. It's my turn to clean and cook in the kitchen tomorrow. Ja."
They all waved good bye as Miroku closed the door behind him.
"So Kagome, what'd you think of Sesshoumaru?"
"I've only seen a little bit of him. He has gorgeous eyes and closely resembles this guy in my village. He too has beautiful golden eyes and silver hair."
"Do you think anybody will ever love him and vice versa?"
"He doesn't truly care for humanity much, now does he?"
"That's true. Anybody back home you already miss?" Sango added with a wink.
Kagome's cheerful face fell, replaced by one of hurt and worry.
"My grandfather…"
"Oh. Is he all you've got left?"
Kagome nodded, the need to cry resurfacing.
"He's alright."
"Excuse me?"
"He's alright," repeated Kohaku. "I had a vision and he's alright. Two guys are looking after him."
"Kouga and InuYasha," she said fondly.
"Seems as if you don't have to worry for him much," added Sango with a smile.
"Yes, yes it does seem that way."
"You're sad still," said Souta.
"What? How'd you-?"
"Your aura is clouded with the grey of sadness and depression."
Kagome smiled at the young boy.
"I'll be okay."