Chapter 18
Kagome brought her hands out of the water, breathing on them. The river steamed from the mountain, chilling the water by several degrees. It was already cold from the changing seasons, but this water was more clear, more frigid because of its travel from the colder terrain.
It had been two weeks since she arrived at the village, and not a single day had been easier. They were still struggling with the disease. They had tried many herbs, had created several different variations, but so far had achieved nothing. They had even used the blood she collected, but it hadn't been enough. They were missing something, but they couldn't pinpoint what it was. At least Miroku had been able to isolate the sick. The disease wasn't spreading, just killing off those that had already been infected.
Sticking her hands back in the water, Kagome began cleaning once more. She had several baskets full to get cleaned and dried before the sunset. She wasn't sure she was going to make it as it was. Taking a break to let her hands warm up wasn't an option.
"I will help, if you allow it." Sesshomaru's voice caused Kagome to stiffen. She hadn't heard him approaching, hadn't felt his aura. Looking up at him, she stared at him warily. She wasn't sure what to think of him anymore. She was so confused by the way he was acting that she was having trouble processing the change.
She wanted to say no, to send him away, but he was offering to help, and as much as she didn't want to admit it, she needed it. Looking at the baskets full of dirty cloth, she gave a single sharp nod, then turned back to the task at hand.
Grabbing an entire basket, Sesshomaru walked towards the edge of the riverbed before setting it down. His back was to her, giving Kagome the chance to observe him. He kicked off his tabi, pushing them to the side with his foot before rolling up the fabric of his pants leg. Next, he undid his obi, tossing it to the ground before pulling his haori from his shoulders.
Kagome couldn't stop the gasp that left her throat at the sight of him. All toned muscles rippling along his back, tattoos spreading across his shoulders and upper back in a brilliant display of two Inu forms. One Touga, the other one she had never seen before.
The sound caused Sesshomaru to look at her over his shoulder, a single eyebrow raised. Cheeks flaming, she furiously scrubbed at the cloth, refusing to look at him. It wasn't until she heard splashing that she looked up, seeing Sesshomaru in the water, cleaning the cloth faster than she ever could.
The sound of children laughing had Kagome looking, both boys holding a cut of meat, spiked on a stick and cooked. They were laughing, running around with giddy happiness at having such a filling meal. This village wasn't one that knew money. They were all poor, and meat was a rare commodity.
However, someone had been leaving boar and deer on the outskirts of town. The meat was much needed nutrients for the villages, especially those that were sick. No one knew who was leaving it, but Kagome did. There was only one person that had the ability to hunt perfectly. Not to mention, the animals were clawed right over their throats, not shot with an arrow.
What Kagome didn't understand was why Sesshomaru would go to such lengths. Kagome didn't eat any of the meat. She was healthy and could skip a few meals with meat to make sure someone else had what they needed. Sesshomaru knew that, and yet, he still hunted for the village.
Looking back at Sesshomaru, she saw him trading out a basket of washed cloth for ones that still needed to be cleaned. He had already finished a basket while she was stuck in thought. Turning back to her task, she let out a loud yawn. She was exhausted, barely getting any sleep. Taking care of the sick was around the clock care. She only got a few hours of sleep every night.
"Has there been no progress?" Sesshomaru asked, pausing in his washing. He was looking at her, concern in his gaze. Was he worried about the villagers, or her? Why was he worried at all? He just didn't make sense anymore.
"No." She was surprised she answered. Maybe it was the lack of sleep that had her letting her guard down, or perhaps it was the blatant confusion warring within. Either way, she just didn't have the energy to stop herself. "No matter what we do, there's no change. People are still dying, and we can't stop it."
"I have heard of the symptoms from talk of the villagers." Sesshomaru started washing the clothes again, brows furrowed. "There is a flower. When I was a child, I had a friend whose mother fell sick with the same symptoms. He would gather a specific flower, boil it, and strain it. The water would be used at tea, the flower ground down into a paste. It always cured her symptoms within a few days. She lived until her age caught up with her."
Kagome couldn't help but to look at Sesshomaru in disbelief. "I don't understand. You had a friend? A human one?" Kagome fell down to her knees from squatting down, hurt blooming in her chest. "So, it's not humans, just me. All this time I thought you hated all humans."
"You're wrong." Sesshomaru walked towards her, kneeling in front of her still in the water. He grabbed her hands, pulling them out of the water and holding him in his, warming them. Her skin had been turning blue and she hadn't even known it. When his eyes met hers, she was bombarded by an overflow of emotion that she had never seen before. "Kagome, there was a time that I held no disdain for humans. I even befriended them. However, there were certain things that happened in my life that changed my perspective. I was too young to rationalize what I was feeling, and I took it out on an entire race."
Staring at her hands, Kagome couldn't help but to feel how warm his hands were, even after being in the water like they had been. Again, she was stuck wondering why things had changed for him, why he was suddenly so different. And then she saw it, the large scar on his chest, less than an inch from his heart. To scar a demon meant they had been severely injured. Sesshomaru would have almost died from this injury. Pulling her hand from his, she traced her fingers over the scar gently, almost completely covered up by more tattoos. "Is this why you changed?"
"It's a part of it. Another is simply what I am. A demon ages slowly. Their physical bodies will reach adulthood in several hundred years. However, their emotional and mental capabilities age even slower. When we met, I was not mature. I reacted harshly, lashed out. During my years at war, I did mature. However, Kagome, what I did to you, there is no excuse. I will regret my actions for the rest of my life, and all I can do is hope that one day you will forgive me." He grabbed her hand from his chest, squeezing it between his again.
Kagome could only look at him, starting to understand why he was so different. She knew demons aged differently than humans. Each type of demon followed their own rules when it came to growing. There were so many demons out there that it was impossible to know how they all worked. It surprised Kagome that she hadn't realized with her exposure to Touga and InuYasha, but Touga is already grown, and InuYasha is a hanyou who is growing faster than any normal demon.
"I don't know if I can ever forgive you." Kagome reached up to her face, fingers touching her scar. This wasn't the only scar he had left on her. It was just the only one that could be seen.
"I know. But I am going to try, and I won't stop until I die. After everything I've done, it's the least I can do." Sesshomaru cupped her cheek, thumb running over her scar. He looked to be in pain as he touched her damaged flesh for the first time since he had attacked her. She could see the rooted guilt in his eyes and wasn't sure how to handle the turn this conversation had taken.
She decided to change the subject. Pulling his hands from her face, she grabbed the cloth and began to clean again. Sesshomaru took the hint, giving her space and backing up to finish cleaning the cloth he had been working on. After a moment, Kagome found her voice so she could speak. "Do you know where the flower is? Can you get some?"
"It will take me three days, but I can retrieve it." He didn't look at her, back tense.
"Please. We don't know what else to do to save these people. Aside of giving my reiki-"
"No. I heard enough from Sango to know that giving your reiki will put your life in danger. I will not allow it, Kagome. I will leave now and return within three day's time." He stood, carrying the basket back to the shore. He had managed to clean two of the three baskets, saving Kagome a lot of time. Dressing quickly, he turned to her, eyes narrowed. "I have no right to ask, but I will anyway. Do not do anything foolish while I am gone. Do not resort to your reiki."
"Miroku wouldn't let me anyway." Kagome looked up at him, emotions a muddled mess. She wasn't sure she was going to be able to get them figured out anytime soon. He gave a nod, turning to leave. A bright light enveloped him, and then he was gone, shooting across the sky in an orb. Kagome was left wondering if she could give him what he desired, if she was strong enough to forgive him.
…
When Sesshomaru returned three days later, he found Kagome immediately. She had just finished gathering wood to start a fire and boil more of the herbs. When she spotted him, she stopped, staring at him anxiously.
"I have them." Reaching into his robes, he pulled out a silk bag full of the flowers. He made sure to get enough to treat everyone. Slowly, she reached out, making sure not to touch him. It seemed the few minutes he had been able to touch her the other day was all that he was going to get. He would cherish it.
He hadn't expected for her to listen to him, let alone let him touch her. It had both shocked and elated him. Normally if he got too close, she flinched away, but she hadn't. She had accepted his touch, felt the warmth he had to give. It was more than he ever thought he would get.
"Thank you." Kagome held the flowers to her chest, not meeting his gaze.
"Let me know if it works. If you need more, I will retrieve it as well." A part of him hoped she would let him follow her into the barn, but all he received was a shy nod before she disappeared beyond the sutra barrier.
Going to his customary tree, he jumped into it, waiting patiently. It would take hours before he received any news. When the sun had set, he heard Kagome step out of the barn, calling his name softly. He landed in front of her, glad that she didn't startle away.
"They are getting better." She bit her lip, arms hugging her chest. He could see the emotional turmoil within her, knew that their first true interaction was still plaguing her mind, confusing her thoughts. When she looked up at him, he could see the gratitude. She may be unsure about him, but she really did appreciate what he had offered. "If it wasn't for the flower, we would have lost a child. I don't know if that means anything to you, but… it means something to me. Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru."
"Call me Sesshomaru, Kagome. I am no lord here." He motioned around him, indicating China. They were in a different land now. His station was still above others, but he had no jurisdiction here like he did in Japan. "Also, I do not want my title between us. I am me, Kagome. This is who I want you to see. Not the lordship I was born into."
Kagome opened her mouth to say something but stopped when the barn door opened again. Miroku stood there, eyes narrowed at Sesshomaru. He called Kagome back, and she looked at Sesshomaru. He knew she was going to go to her brother. She didn't need to say it. "Thank you again… Sesshomaru." Turning on her heel, she ran to Miroku, who shut the door behind them. Sesshomaru lifted his head, breathing in her scent. He was closer than he was before he left. He knew there was still a long way to go, but the first step had been taken.
...
So Sesshomaru is the hero in this chapter. He doesn't hate humans anymore like he did for these past few years, and this is how he proving it. He is helping in any way he can. Kagome is still wary and no where near ready to forgive him, but they finally took that first step to the closure they both need. The road is long, but at least now they have direction. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and thanks to Didithereaper for editing. (P.S. that tattoo's were added because of her request, but I like tattoo's myself and think Sesshomaru covered in them would look good. Now I just need someone to draw Sesshomaru covered in Tattoo's and send it my way.)
For the competition, it is going to be the same as always. Twenty-five reviews from different people by Wednesday and you get another chapter. The teaser? We finally find out exactly what happened between Satori, Izayoi, and Touga.
Also, this story has 399 reviews. Let's see who wins the lucky spot of being the 400th review. Good luck!
