Chapter 20:

"By the way. How did you know I was at the well…?" Arisa nervously asked, walking beside Sesshomaru.

"Your scent."

"Oh…I see."

What sensitive nose this man has... he really is a dog.

"So…uhm…where are we going?" she continued to ask.

I hope it's not Naraku…that guy really gives me the creeps until now!

"To the residence of the sword-maker I know."

"For what reason…?"

"You will know when we get there."

"…fine."

They continued walking in silence, and Arisa couldn't take it so she opened her mouth once again.

"Sesshomaru…"

"What."

"Uh, what happened after I went unconscious that night?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I just wanted to know… if I was a burden or not."

Actually, no. I want to confirm if you really stayed beside me or left and then you felt guilty so you led me to the well. But then again, Sesshomaru feeling guilty? Fat chance.

Arisa looked at him with anticipating eyes, waiting for his reply. However, Sesshomaru still fixed his eyes on the road ahead, not being bothered by her.

"Sesshomaru…!"

"You slept the whole night and if I did not wake you up, you would continue sleeping."

"That's it…?"

"Hn."

"No more…?"

Sesshomaru frowned at her, and Arisa's mouth snapped shut.

Oops.

"Do not be ridiculous. I do not like to repeat what I say."

"S-so you stayed by my side the whole time…?"

He remained silent, and she took that as a 'yes', making her heart warm.

So he does have a kind side…ugh, but maybe it's just a delirium brought by his wound. But then again, he stepped into my world just to give back my handkerchief, and even gave in to my mother's offer; which he surely deemed very unnecessary. And then…that sudden behavior change after swatting my hand.

"That's actually surprising…but thank you." She said with a soft smile.

Sesshomaru saw that, and strangely, it delighted him. He quickly looked away to hide his unforeseen emotions.

Although she did not receive any reply, she knew Sesshomaru appreciated it, as his face wasn't currently that dull as it always was. And that was enough for her.

I think that finalizes everything. I guess he really did work on his attitude. Better appreciate it before he gets back to being completely 'untamed' again, lol.

Sesshomaru and Arisa found Jaken lying carelessly on the hard ground, snoring.

"Jaken."

It only took one word from the great Sesshomaru to wake the little creature. He was immediately happy to see him, but that happiness dissolved when he saw who was beside him.

"Hey, Jaken! It's been a while!" Arisa greeted, grinning.

"What are you doing here? And why are you with Sesshomaru-sama?"

"Well…"

Jaken suddenly remembered something. "Milord, is this possibly the detour you were talking about...?"

Lifting an eyebrow at him, Sesshomaru answered in a stern tone. "And?"

"N-nothing! Milord. It's just…quite unexpected." Jaken replied nervously.

"Let us go." The dog demon commanded, and the two quickly followed.

"I don't know what you did to Sesshomaru-sama, but you better not hold him off." Jaken whispered in a warning manner, but Arisa only chortled.

"Of course I won't. He might even be the one troubling me."

"How dare you…!"

Arisa snickered. "It's possible, you know."

"Shut it, both of you." Sesshomaru suddenly intervened with slight irritation in his voice.

"Y-yes, sorry, Sesshomaru-sama."

After walking several forests and climbing up a mountain, they finally reached where the sword-maker was currently residing. Arisa fell helplessly on the ground.

"Why didn't you tell me about this so I could've prepared myself…" Arisa mumbled weakly, and it was Jaken's turn to snicker.

"Ha! But of course, humans like you—"

"Shut up! Being human doesn't have anything to do with this!"

As the two continued to bicker, Sesshomaru approached the blacksmith, who was busy with making swords.

"Totosai."

The blacksmith slowly turned around.

"Ehhh…? Who is it…?" he complained, scrutinizing who called him out despite seeing him busy.

"Oh…if it isn't Sesshomaru."

"Forge me a sword that is equal to that of Tetsusaiga."

Arisa overheard their conversation, and abruptly stopped paying attention to Jaken. Instead, she continued to listen intently to Sesshomaru and the blacksmith.

"I cannot do that. You already have the Tenseiga. That is what your father gave to you."

"You mean to oppose me?" Sesshomaru asked, his voice on edge.

"You have to accept your father's memento for you. He had his reasons as to why he chose to give you Tenseiga. The Tetsusaiga is clearly meant for Inuyasha."

Sesshomaru's eyes flickered with agitation, and he quickly drew his poison claws out, intending to strike the old blacksmith. But before he could, Totosai blast a fire using his mouth in front of him which acted as a shield, and made his escape.

"I repeat, Tenseiga is the sword meant for you, Sesshomaru." Totosai said as he went up the sky, riding on his 'flying cow'.

As Sesshomaru watched him go in annoyance, Arisa quickly went in front of him, and shook his wrist a little.

"What was all that about, Sesshomaru? Were you about to kill Totosai?" Arisa asked worriedly.

"Hmph." Was his only answer, before turning back from her.

"Do you not like your Tenseiga? Why...?"

He glowered at her. "What can a sword that cannot cut be of use to me?"

She was surprised to know that his sword is something that couldn't cut.

"But it can save lives…and not every sword can do that. It's a rare item, if you ask me."

"Saving lives is not my obligation." He said coldly, and proceeded walking away.

"But back then…you did save me…"

Sesshomaru offered no response, and focused his eyes on another direction instead.

"We're going after Inuyasha." He declared, brushing off her statement earlier.

Arisa gasped, having a bad feeling about what he was about to answer. "Huh!? Why all of a sudden?"

"I am going to prove that it is I, Sesshomaru, am the rightful heir to the Tetsusaiga."

While Jaken was supportive of him, Arisa wasn't. Though she hesitantly followed, she was fretting about the possible duel that was going to happen. And what's worse is that it's a fight with his younger brother, again. And she really didn't want that.

What should I do!?

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