Chapter 54:

Eventually, tiredness consumed Arisa and fell asleep even when she was supposed to wait for Sesshomaru to return. Hours later, she woke up from the sound of footsteps coming near her. She rubbed her eyes, and the man she was waiting for was clearly in her view. Groggily, she greeted him.

"You're finally back."

He proceeded to sit beside her with an arm on top of his left knee, holding a small amber bottle. Then, he handed it over to her while staring at a distance. She took it from him anyway and was about to ask, but he spoke up first.

"Use it."

"For what…?"

"Are you pretending not to know?"

She gave him a dubious look. "I am not. Come on, you gave it to me just like that and—"

"It's an ointment for your aching muscles."

Her mouth went open for a second.

"Sesshomaru…you went out of your way just for…this?"

"Stop your talking and put that to use."

Though he answered quite rudely, she still felt happy about his unexpectedly caring side.

"…thanks a lot. I mean it." She fervently commented, but there was no reply from the man she was dedicating her gratitude.

At her own pace, she carefully folded both of her sleeves then took the right amount just enough to rub on the areas that now had patches of bruises, including the few scrapes she had on her ankle.

Meanwhile, Sesshomaru was composing himself. He wasn't at all expecting that Arisa's words of gratitude made him feel… a little embarrassed. Once he was back to his 'normal' self, he secretly glanced at her who was busy applying the ointment on her arms. He was surprised, but agitated at the same time with the bruise patches that almost covered both of her arms. His forehead creased as a thought came into his mind.

This is why I hate humans. They are fragile and weak - they easily get hurt at another human's rash behavior, when in fact they are just of the same species. This woman is no exception.

However, as he continued to stare at her, his facial features relaxed. Solace and complete acceptance flickered in his eyes.

She is a human, yet she is…somewhat peculiar. I certainly don't know what made me allow her to join me back then. Regardless, I was sure to discard her once I had fulfilled her foolish request. But in the end, I couldn't bring myself to do it and I couldn't despise her. Instead, it suddenly became natural to have her around…up to the point that I am willing to do things that I do not do, just for her.

He then looked up at the sky, which was filled with bright, twinkling stars. This time, he was neither confused nor disgusted with his current realization.

I wonder if this is what father had felt for Inuyasha's mother.

He gazed at the young lady beside him once again.

No, of course it's not the same. But for now, I am sure of one thing. I...wouldn't mind if she still chooses to stay with me for a longer time.

The next day, the muscle sores that Arisa had been enduring were now gone, and only the bruises were left. But, they were considerably lighter, compared to yesterday. The scrapes on her ankles were healed as well.

Amazing…! I can't believe feudal medicines work more efficiently than modern ones…

"Sesshomaru, where on earth did you get this ointment? This must be something magical and rare!" Arisa exclaimed as she approached him, showing the bottle like it's some kind of a special toy.

"You do not need to know."

"Oh, come on…"

"The result is what matters. It's good that you're doing fine already." He said with a small smile, but it disappeared in just a blink of an eye.

"Fine then…"

"What of your bruises?"

"Still there, but they'll fade soon."

"You should be sure about that."

"Thanks for worrying…though…"

"Hn."

I…I can't believe I finally caught that one-second smile! Wow, I feel so lucky!

She suddenly thought, fanning herself as she felt the heat rise up to her cheeks.

"What are you doing?"

She suddenly snapped back from Sesshomaru's intriguing question, and went wide-eyed as he looked at her with bluntness.

"Oh, never mind me. This is normal for a woman in—"

She quickly covered her mouth, and he lifted an eyebrow at her.

"A woman in what?"

"N-nothing…! Please forget I said something like that."

Damn it…! I almost dropped the bomb that would surely mean the end of my journey with him...

She quickly gave him a nervous grin, and tapped his shoulders just like that.

"At any rate, can I keep this?"

"Do whatever you want with it."

"You're the best, Sesshomaru!"

The dog demon was slightly bothered by Arisa's 'weird' behavior, but it pleased him more to see her back to her usual self so he ultimately just put up with her.

They once again ventured for other possible entrances inside Mt. Hakurei, and when they were nearing the barrier, Arisa noticed that they were missing one member. She then looked back, and there was Jaken, standing a few feet away from them.

"S-Sesshomaru-sama!" he called out and the aforementioned man casually stopped walking. He turned his face half-way, waiting for what he possibly had in mind.

"Good luck to you and Arisa!"

"Hah?" Arisa reacted out loud, but before she knew it, a medium-sized rock had been thrown towards him and it accurately hit his head.

"Let's go." Sesshomaru said flatly and went on his way, leaving Jaken no choice but to come after all.

Arisa laughed as she resumed walking, thinking about how Sesshomaru was actually a bully, and how his humor came out unexpectedly.

"This isn't funny, you know." Jaken commented as she walked beside Arisa, gently massaging his swollen head.

"I'm sorry, but I really find it laughable. Of all people, you're the one who should be greatly informed that saying no to Sesshomaru won't do." She replied with a chuckle.

"I know that…but…I think coming close once again with that barrier would mean the end of my life."

"You can endure it Jaken. You said that you're strong, remember?"

Jaken's ears flapped upon hearing the compliment.

"Ahem, well, of course Sesshomaru-sama is stronger. But yes, I am indeed strong."

"Right? So there should be no problem-" she told the little demon to show support, but as soon as she stated that, Jaken felt dizzy—signifying that they were now within the barrier's close range.

At that moment, Arisa felt that the barrier's intensity had somehow changed. She was still energized by its presence, but it wasn't as strong as before. She also noticed that although Jaken was woozy, he was still able to stand.

"Hey, Sesshomaru…I think the barrier's weakened. Someone probably found who's in control." She commented, earning a stare of approval from him.

He then went ahead and touched the barrier, confirming her guess. Though it still rejected him, there were no more electric shocks that followed.

"I see."

Arisa briefly watched him as he waited for him to tell her of his plans, when he suddenly forced himself inside and he seemed to be wincing in so much pain. She was frantically shocked at his actions.

"What in the world are you doing!?" she shouted as she quickly ran to him and immediately encircled her arms around his waist in an attempt to pull him away from the barrier.

She was worried that it won't do because he was resisting; but after a few more efforts, he was finally out of the barrier. Although his expression was stoic, his eyes conveyed that he was hurt. Nevertheless, she was relieved to see him unharmed.

"Are you insane!?" she complained immediately as she went in front of him.

"If you did not interfere, I should be inside the barrier by now." He said with resentment, but it didn't make her back down.

"Are you nuts? Just because it weakened doesn't mean you can freely go inside! Are you trying to kill yourself!? You're the one who told me to not do something risky, and yet here you are…!" she declared in a perplexed tone.

After a period of silence, she snatched his hand and squeezed it tightly.

"I…I know you're strong and you're really awesome for being able to withstand this barrier's effect, but please…don't be reckless." She begged, almost in a whisper.

"You think I don't know what I'm doing?" he finally replied, but with a bit of sarcasm.

"Huh…?"

"I went in because I knew I could already. The pain I felt was only temporary."

"But...it really looked like you were going to be burned by the barrier…so…"

Sesshomaru shook his hand off from her clasp and gave her a single pat on the head.

"You worry too much."

He answered Arisa in a comforting tone that it was enough to calm the sudden, turbulent anxiety going on within her.

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