Chapter 17:
Arisa slowly dragged her feet and carefully sat beside Sesshomaru. She stared at him, totally bewildered.
"This is how you use this thing, correct?" he casually asked her, while the latter was still trying to register what on earth just took place.
"Oh...! Uh, yes…" she replied mindlessly.
She continued to watch him eat - his hands gracefully scooping rice and curry and putting it in his mouth; then munching the food carefully, until he swallowed it. Sensing her eyes still stuck on him, Sesshomaru faced her, lifting an eyebrow.
"Stop staring at me and eat."
"…what happened to you?"
"Nothing."
"…"
She sighed, and decided to just eat her share too, before it gets too cold.
Sesshomaru laid his plate on the ground, just beside him. Arisa saw that the plate was clean, and it made her happy.
"So…how was it?"
"It was edible."
"Ugh, of course it is…! I'm asking about the taste!" she replied, rolling her eyes.
However, he only smirked at her, then slowly stood up.
"I am leaving."
"Wow. That was quick. Won't you—"
"No. I have wasted a lot of time here." He cut her off, as if knowing what she was about to suggest.
"…I see. Still, I'll have you know it was a little nice meeting you, Sesshomaru."
He didn't bother answering, as he kept on walking away. She continued to watch him leave, unable to do anything. But one thing was for sure: she definitely didn't want him to go just yet. However, when he was just a few feet away from the gate, he suddenly stopped, and turned around half-way.
Arisa noticed that and she quickly stood up, meeting his gaze with a hopeful one. It really looked like he wanted to say something. But in the end, he didn't say anything and disappeared. Just a few seconds later, she saw a vague glow from the forest - a sign that Sesshomaru was now back in the feudal era.
She sighed as she crouched down to get the plate he was holding earlier. It was only a few moments ago, but it somehow felt like being with him happened a long time ago.
I…won't be seeing him again for real... Well, I just have to forget about everything and finally return to my normal life.
Arisa went back inside their house, her shoulders slumping.
"What's with that look? Where is Sesshomaru?" Ayame immediately asked.
"He already went back."
"What!? You didn't convince him to stay?"
"I tried. But he was quick to object."
"Oh...that's too bad. I didn't get to talk to him again, or say goodbye..."
"I doubt he'd care about that. He didn't even consider my request..."
"Do you mean to tell me that he would only consider if it comes from you?" Ayame said in a defensive tone, her brows drawing together.
Arisa gave her a questioned look. "What are you talking about? I solely told you what he did, exactly. It's not because he is in favor of me. And just so you know, he doesn't have the space in his heart to be interested in human beings."
Before Ayame could answer, their mother interrupted, feeling the tension between her daughters.
"So that's how it is! Well, at least he got to fill his stomach before going back to his homeland..." their mother said with a nervous smile.
"…yeah."
Was all Arisa could say before going ahead to the kitchen to wash their dishes, while Ayame proceeded into the living room; a bit shamefaced.
Arisa went to bed, still surprised at her sister's defensive tone earlier. It seemed like one of those common acts of people who stood up for the person they like.
And not just that; she also thought about the sudden shift in Sesshomaru's behavior. Normally, he wouldn't even bat an eyelash, but this time, he actually did. It made her become easily accustomed to that behavior of his, forgetting about what he just did that made her mad.
Was it because I cried?
She burst out laughing at that thought.
There is no way he would ever. But maybe he would, when the sun would rise in the west. Not that I'm going to see him again to witness that…though.
"Jaken."
The little demon, sleeping just beside the wooden well, slowly opened his eyes upon hearing someone say his name. Once he saw the figure in front of him, he was quickly wide awake.
"Sesshomaru-sama! I'm so glad you're back!"
The dog demon turned around, already on his way to their next destination. Jaken fleetly followed.
"Wh-where did the well possibly take you to, milord? It was frustrating that I couldn't go through it…"
"To a different time."
"What do you mean by that, milord?"
He didn't receive an answer, and it was clear to him that he didn't want to talk about it.
After all these years I have served him, Sesshomaru-sama never once opened up to me. Oh, how I wish he would one of these days…
Jaken sadly thought as he trailed behind Sesshomaru, who was in his usual blank demeanor, but deep inside, he was still thinking about that.
Can you come back?
Was what Sesshomaru wanted to say to her, but he couldn't. He was very hesitant, as it was very not him. He was about to give in to those hopeful eyes of hers, but he was somehow thankful that he managed not to. But at the same time, he regretted it a little. Though he had accepted her existence, a part of him still couldn't grasp it.
He was already at that point where he actually wouldn't even mind staying, but being in a period he isn't from and wasn't familiar with made him really uncomfortable. Everything was too sudden, and unbelievable. He needed to get a grip of himself and see if he was still the same almighty Sesshomaru who wandered throughout the lands; known to be a powerful, emotionless demon who hated weaklings – be it a demon or not, as well as everything and everyone with connections to humans.
Although, the latter description wasn't that accurate anymore.
Tss...my focus now should be Naraku. I won't let him get away with what he did to me.
In an instant, Arisa's words hit him. "Don't involve yourself with Naraku again!"
He simpered as he thought that, as if the young lady was actually there trying to convince him.
I am simply going to eradicate his existence. But before that…
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