Someone to Protect
"Where are you from?"
"What?" Ok where did that just come from? Don't get me wrong, I am rather glad that I still have my head after that last comment about him wanting to…well…mate me; but you have to admit that the question really did come from way out in left field.
"This science you speak of, there are many aspects of it which I have never heard of. For instance: the ability to isolate certain compounds from a natural mixture such as animal excrements. It is obvious to me that you must hail from a place that has advanced their knowledge in a way far beyond any which I have encountered. I wish to know where that is."
For a moment I was in shock. I mean who knew the guy could actually put together full sentences? Sure, I know that he is a lord and all, but really, all I ever hear him say is 'Die Inuyasha' so it was quite a shock for him to speak at such lengths and to me no less, a silly little human.
When I got over the initial shock of how much he had said, I was hit with the realization of what he had said. He had asked me where I come from. How could I answer that question? First of all, even if I did tell him the truth, he probably wouldn't believe me. Second, if I lied he would most likely be able to tell because of some stupid physiological reaction that I have no control over and which, though humans aren't able to detect it, he could probably pick up like a living breathing polygraph machine. Finally, third, I couldn't tell him because if he knew where I was from that would mean he would want to know how to get there; and there was no way I was going to reveal to him the secrets of the well because if I did that I would be putting my family in danger.
"I'm from very far away." I thought that that response would be accurate enough to not sound like a lie (I am from 500 years in the future after all, and unless there are more time travelers out there, it is very far away). I also had hoped that he would be able to pick up on the fact that I really did not want to tell him what he wanted to know, but that I was being polite enough to answer his question. He should be used to that sort of thing right? Like the answers given by people in high positions in big companies or even the government: polite yet not very informative.
However he did take what I said to him, he sure didn't look pleased with the information I had supplied.
"You are lying."
Well isn't that just great. Now not only did he think that I was avoiding the question, but also that I was lying to him. Things were just going from bad to worse for me. Every time I thought I had gotten myself out of a bad spot, I found myself in an equally bad or worse one. I'm sure that there is someone up there who is just rolling with laughter about my super luck, but let me tell you I am not very amused by my ability to find trouble wherever I go and whatever I do.
"Tell me where you are from."
"I'm sorry Sesshomaru, I can't do that." Now I knew that denying him what he wanted to know would be a very bad move on my part considering I really do like living and all, but I couldn't just give away the location of my family; especially not to someone who had just almost caused my untimely death.
His expression didn't change, but he did lift one of his damn perfect eyebrows (it's just not fair that a guy can have such perfect eyebrows. Here I sped hours plucking mine to get them just right, and I bet he never has to do anything and still his are perfection – well wasn't that off topic). Now I may not be an expert on reading peoples expressions, let alone Sesshomaru's because he rarely even has an expression to speak of; but I was pretty sure that the way he was looking at me was somewhere along the lines of disbelief that I hadn't answered his question and curiosity as to why. Anyways, I was glad that I couldn't read any anger in his expression because I know that if I could, well let's just say that would probably be the last expression I ever get the chance to interpret.
My relief didn't last long however because after a moment he reset his stoic mask and spoke again.
"You will tell me woman."
Woman! What is it with dogs and their inability to call me anything but words that describe what I am? Woman, human, miko: all things that could describe pretty much anyone and have not a whole lot to do with who I am. I can't even begin to describe how much I hate those words. But then I wasn't in a position to tell him that; not that he would listen even if I did (sigh).
"I'm sorry, but no. I will not just hand over my family's location to you."
"You think I would use this information against you?"
He sounded almost put out. Well, that is of course, if he sounded anything but bored. Why does he have to be so damn hard to read? Now if it was Inuyasha, I would know exactly what he was thinking because not only is he extremely expressive, but he also doesn't think about what he is going to say before he says it; so what you hear is always exactly what he's thinking. I may just be going out on a limb here (yeah a very short limb that would probably break off if I put so much as the weight of my baby toe on it), but I think Sesshomaru is a little bit different than Inuyasha when it comes to cognitive functioning.
"What would make me think you wouldn't? You have tried time and time again to kill your own brother. What is there to stop you from going after my family, or if not that what would it mean to you to give that location away to my enemies? I'll tell you what: nothing! I won't put them in danger like that!"
"Woman," if possible I think his voice got even colder. Apparently he didn't take too kindly to my little rant. Oopsie. "This is your last chance to tell me what I wish to know."
"I will never tell you! Haven't you ever had someone to protect Sesshomaru?"
"I Sesshomaru have no one to protect." Maybe it's just me, but that statement came out a bit too quickly; almost as though he had made it before.
"Bullshit!" Ok probably not the best thing to say considering the look he gave me, but I couldn't help it. "I know that little girl that travels with you. I have seen you go to great lengths to protect her from demons like Naraku. I have even watched as you came to her when she called out to you when she had been taken by Ungai-sama and his priests. You protect that girl as though she were you own, so don't you tell me that there is no one you would protect as I am protecting my family now!"
Have I told you that I really need to learn when to keep my mouth shut? Well it is just as true now as it was then. Before I had even realized what was happening, I found myself locked in his iron grip again, my feet dangling in the air with my neck as the only thing supporting the weight of my body. I hadn't even seen him move.
"You will tell me," his frigid voice cut through the frantic haze clouding my mind as I struggled against his hold, "or you will die."
I stopped struggling then. It was a useless endeavor and a waste of what little oxygen I had. I dropped my hands to my side and locked my eyes onto the ice-covered gold of his
"I would rather die knowing my family is alive and well than live another day with the knowledge that I betrayed the ones I love. Kill me if you want Sesshomaru, but I will never tell you."
That had been the second time in one night that I had given my life to Sesshomaru. I still can't get over the fact that I still have a life to speak of. Obviously, he didn't kill me. Instead, he unlocked his grip on my neck and allowed me to crash onto the ground…again. But beggars can't be choosers right? Even though I am still sporting the bruises on my butt from where it met the ground upon his oh so gentile releases, I am still glad that I was released.
Anyways, I collected myself from the ground and began rubbing my poor backside to get some circulation back. When I was back on my feet, I sent him a look that would be sure to kill; that is of course if he was looking at me, which he wasn't. He had gone back to looking into the trees. Apparently they are more interesting to look at than me. Am I really that ugly?
"You will repeat this phase of your experiment."
"Are you crazy!" He shifted his eyes to glare at me –gulp- "I mean it didn't work. Inuyasha didn't have any reaction to the pheromones."
"For an intelligent woman you are not very bright."
What! Wait a minute; was that a complement or an insult? What am I thinking? Sesshomaru would never complement me! So then it must have been an insult. That Jerk! I was about to give him a piece of my mind when…
"There is no moon tonight."
"What?" I took a moment to look up at the sky. I could have sworn there had been a moon, but maybe I had been a bit distracted; I did almost die and all. Sure enough he was right, there was no moon. But what the heck did that have to do with anything? The guy changes topics faster than Jeopardy. What does the new moon have to do with my experiment…
Oh-My-God! How could I have been so stupid! How could I have forgotten? The new moon means that Inuyasha would be human! How could I have forgotten something so pivotal in making my experiment work? If it was his human night, his senses would be dulled and he wouldn't react to the pheromone!
But why would Sesshomaru of all people be pointing that out unless…
"You know about the new moon?"
Judging from the look he gave me which clearly said 'Are you really so stupid as to have to ask?' I'm going with yes.
"But if you know, why have you never…I mean if you wanted to you could have just…it would have been so easy."
And he went right back to ignoring me and looking at the trees. What the heck is so interesting about those trees anyways? I would really like to know.
"The dead priestess," there he goes again changing the topic. I don't think I'm ever going to be able to keep up with him in a conversation. Wait, I'm having a conversation with Sesshomaru! That is just surreal! "When she was alive, she was Inuyasha's weakness. Naraku exploited that weakness and Inuyasha was pinned to a tree for fifty years."
"So what you're saying is…" I wasn't really sure. In fact I felt like I was shooting at fish in a barrel trying to pick up on what he was really trying to say, but I gave it a shot anyways. "If you were to exploit Inuyasha's weakness then you would be no different than Naraku? Wow…"
And that made him look at me again, and again he had that damn eyebrow of his raised. What is it about the way he does that that is just so damn sexy? Whoa! Hold on a minute, let's not even go there. What was I saying? Right, Sesshomaru is no different than Naraku. What! I didn't say that, did I?
"What I mean is, of course you wouldn't because you have more honor than that right? I mean right. Yes. Ummm…"
"Hn."
Back again to looking at the trees I see. What is it that has you so intrigued with them? Hasn't anyone ever told you that it is rude not to look at a person when you are talking to them? I mean truly, there are only so many trees you can look at before…Wait! There is something in those trees! Something white and longs and…gasp!
"A soul collector!"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Alrighty then, another chapter complete. Day eight and I still haven't missed a day of updating! I am far too nice. But I'm having fun and I hope you are too in reading this.
The shortest Author's note ever! I am getting better at my rambling problem :p
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters I am about to weave into my web of chaos. Any and all definitions have been taken directly from Wikipedia the online encyclopedia because I am far too lazy to do any further research to support my Inuyasha obsession.
Until next time
ShadowsWeaver1
