A/N: And here is chapter thirty. A bit too late, I'll admit, but at least it's here. I still have a good few chapters left, but at least the upcoming two chapters are done. Thank you, everyone for the comments, I'll getting back to them tomorrow (school has been strangely busy). I really, really love them. I'm also very glad all of you are so patient, and, good news for once, I'll be updating this story upcoming Tuesday again (because I've been absent for so long).
And to my guest replier, thank you for clearing your up your comment. Kagome is indeed a modern teenager and I know she tries hard, but she'll probably won't bend to Inuyasha anytime soon (they're both too stubborn). There will be some extra chapters, but not in 'A tale of two sisters', but in an extra story. That one isn't ready yet. It will be out of several people's viewpoint, but in this story I want to stick to Chiharu's and Sesshōmaru's. Regardless, I hope you'll enjoy the next chapter (it was a hard one for me, and I'm still not entirely satisfied with it).
Do comment:)
Inuyasha does not belongs to me!
o.O.o
Chapter Thirty, Obsession
Sesshōmaru peered at her from the other side of the clearing and she froze. The rucksack fell to the forest-floor with a soft thud and the Daiyōkai flexed his claws. His roiling aura betrayed his impatience, swirling around him in furious dark waves of youki and she felt her eyebrows furrow together. Her heart stuttered and her hands grew cold with a horrible sensation she was slightly familiar with.
A trickle of fear ran down her spine.
She was horrified to be afraid. Badly even. It gripped at her, unfurling within her, spreading tingles of fear through her bloodstream.
From the beginning she had always been a bit afraid of him. Whenever he looked at her through half-lidded eyes, with cold calculation or with a hint of curiosity. When she ran into him all those months ago, cheeks reddened and shoulders slightly aching from the light sunburn. Her hands were damp and her feet had hurt and Jaken had snarled furiously at her while his Master had looked down upon her with some sort of contempt.
The attack of Edo followed closely after. Back then, she had no idea who he was and had only watched transfixed as he appeared out of nowhere, dragging her away from the imminent battle. She had not known pain before that day either. What ever had motivated him beside the sword was only guesswork but one moment she was struggling futilely against his grip and the next, fangs had grazed over the thin, fine skin of her neck, piercing the flesh, through the tendon, and drawing blood.
It left a mark.
A mark that was tingling slightly as he glowered at her and she forced herself to remain calm. He'd drawn her out before. It often ended in a fight between the Daiyōkai and his younger half-sibling.
Their increasingly ridiculous sword fights often followed his unannounced visits and she took a weary step back. The Lord of the Western border was definitely, absolutely, most-assuredly not in a good mood.
The amber of his eyes flashed and for a moment, Chiharu forgot how to breathe. She had never seen such a murderous expression on his face, and considering the murderous expressions she'd seen on his face before, that was saying something. His irises were framed with a tinge of red, face pale and muscles so tense, she gave an involuntary shudder. She took a cautious step back and he mirrored her, but far quicker. He was in front of her in less than a second, invading her personal space, his far an inch away from hers.
"Sesshōmaru?"
She almost fell over her own bag and felt the rim of the well press against the back of her knees as one of his hands fisted into her collar, hoisting her up; "Who is he?"
Her mouth opened and closed but no sound came from her lips. She tried again: "W—what?"
"Who is he?"
"—I, I think— j-just a friend," she whimpered, talons scarping over her shoulder, "I— let go."
Her voice did not sound strong, her mouth curling around those words as if she they physically hurt her and he shook her. As if he was waiting for a more satisfying answer, but she couldn't think of one.
"A friend?"
A dark blush flared over her face as his eyes zeroed in on her. When she tried to glance away, his hand moved to her hair, yanking her head back, baring her neck. Her heart thudded loudly in her ears as he took a long whiff. How stupid and careless she'd been. If he had known about Inuyasha pecking her in a moment of drunkenness than of course would he be capable to sense Arjun on her. If it wasn't some stupid side effect of the Mark, than it must have been his scent. Hadn't she been able to smell some woman on him too?
"Get off!"
"Where is he?" He hissed. Her toes were barely even touching the ground and her hands flew to his wrist.
"G—get off me!" She gasped. Normally she would have told him where he could stick it, but his features were twisted in such a dangerous expression, she didn't dare. She had never seen him this unhinged. An expression of pure cold rage had twisted his features and the tinge of red around his irises was expanding, taking over the cold amber.
"Where," he demanded again and she fought the urge to snap at him. His whole demeanor screamed certain death.
"He's not here," she forced herself to say, "even if you wanted to, you can't reach him."
"Can't I?"
'Wrong thing to say, wrong thing to say!'
"No, you can't get into my world." She finally decided on. She'd noticed his scent in the well before, obviously trying to pass and she knew without a doubt that he couldn't. Or at least, she strongly hoped he couldn't…
"What is he to you?" He hissed furious, his eyes shifting to her lips and she felt her face grow hot. This was not a conversation she wanted to have with anyone, least someone like Sesshōmaru. His gaze was still furious, but he looked like he was getting the reigns back on his self control.
"Just, just a friend,"
"A friend," he didn't sound as if believed it and his eyes hardened again. Why did she always say the wrong thing to him?
His face got even closer and she felt his his breath on her cheek. "I don't think so. I think you're just trying to prove a point."
"Prove a point," she whispered. Her mouth ran dry as his other hand settled on her waist.
"What was it again," he mocked her, taunting her in a voice he'd only ever reserved for belittling Inuyasha, "Whatever there was between us, it's over."
She cringed at the cold way he threw her own words in her face and he sneered. He looked so furious and suddenly— it just made sense. The thought stuck her like lightning and her mouth slacked open. "You think I did it to spite you?"
He didn't answer and involuntarily a laugh was wrenched from her throat. Did he truly think the whole damn world revolved around him?
"I did not do this to spite you. If I had, I would have found someone to kiss somewhere I would know for sure you would notice. For God sake the world doesn't revolve around you. I was just curious."
"Curious,"
"Yes," she answered exasperated, "I'm sixteen, Sesshōmaru, it's perfectly normal for me to be curious."
His features twisted again and she saw the heated look in his eyes. The only other time she'd seen that look on his face was when his young ward Rin had fallen ill and he'd thought it to be beneficial to show her all the wonders of their shared Bond. Her fingers spasmed around his shoulders and she tried to back-pedal, away from him. His hands gripped her upper arms tightly and she winced when her back hit something harsh and solid.
His claws dug into the sensitive flesh of her upper arms and she felt a gasping breath escape her throat. His grip was tight, yet never too hard to really wound, but still hard enough to sting. A whimper left her dry lips as he possessively pressed her against him, the sharp edges of his breastplate painful against her unprotected chest and she tried— she really tried to push him away.
It wasn't like the last time he'd manipulated the Bond. It was stronger, more potent and dark. His mouth slanted over the puckered flesh of the mark on her neck and the most horrible sense of belonging settled into her stomach. She must have made another sound, and it was obvious a mistake, but he growled against her neck, a thigh wedged between hers. He then, did something particular wicked and small sparks of excitement shot its way up her spine.
She hissed and wrenched her face away, ignoring the fingers that trailed down the side of her neck, down her back and settling on the curve of her lower back, just above her backside. He pinned her against the harsh bark of a tree and traced the curvature of her cartilage with his tongue. Her breath hitched as clawed fingers pushed the hem of her haori aside and grazed the skin of her hip and abdomen. Her muscles gave an involuntary jerk and she felt her face grow hot.
"Sesshō—" she tried again, fingers curling into the shoulders of his haori and she gasped when his incisors tugged at her earlobe. Her breathing was laboured by this point and his warm breath fanned out over the sensitive lobe, when he pulled back a bit. Her face grew even hotter.
"You are mine,"
And with that he pressed his mouth against the under sight of her jaw. Fangs grazing over the sensitive skin and she fisted her fingers so tight into his haori that her knuckles turned white.
"I—" she whimpered, unsure what she wanted to say, yet, her voice quivered.
The worst part of it was that it didn't feel bad and she ignored the contracting of abdominal muscles. She whimpered, her head lolling submissively to the side and inhaled deeply. Fingers were curling down under her knee, pulling her leg up, curling it around his waist, while the other circled around her breast. Overwhelmed, she only hissed at the contact, pushing futilely against him. She probably would have more chance pushing a brick wall away than the furious Daiyōkai in front of her.
"—Mine," he whispered against her neck before slowly dragging his lips up against her neck and leaned into her. She ignored the almost-pleasant feelings he administrations incited and as his claws started to dig into the under sights of her knees, her struggling became firmer.
"Stop," she gasped even as she angled her head and then she heard a branch snap in the distance. His fangs grazed her neck, his attention suddenly preoccupied with someone fast approaching. She used his surprised momentum to push at him again, and this time he took a step back. The branches shook, the leaves fluttered and Inuyasha moved through the green foliage in a red and silver blur.
"—you bastard!" Inuyasha snarled furiously, dropping down from a tall tree, sword drawn and Sesshōmaru blocked it with a sweep of his claws, a green acid whip slamming him back and he fixed his blood-red eyes on her. She suspected the next step in her direction was made almost unconscious and she backed away, ignoring the nerves curling her way up her spine.
"What do you think you were doing, fucking arsehole?"
She stumbled back towards the well and all but threw herself the lip of the well. The gravity pulled her down, her hair flailing wildly about her face and the purple light engulfed her briefly before she dropped against the mud. The open dark starry sky above her had disappeared and now she was looking up at the darkened wooden ceiling the Higurashi shrine.
It was raining outside.
She could tell.
She remained on her back for a few minutes, peering up at the dark ceiling and her breathing remained heavy. The dirt under her was damp and as the points of her hair became wet she sat up, rubbing her hands over her cheeks, down her neck and left them on her shoulders, squeezing the tensed muscles. Her lids lowered slightly and she felt her thoughts momentarily drift away, back to the Daiyōkai. He and Inuyasha were probably fighting by now.
It was how things between them always ended. Sesshōmaru being a chauvinistic prick had often felt the need to show his superiority and Inuyasha never could keep his foot out of his mouth. She shivered. How horrible she was to not go back and help her friend.
She shook her head resolutely, trying to dislodge the unwanted image of Sesshōmaru from her mind. The smell of wet earth and exhaust fumes wafted through the open. She threw the yellow backpack over her shoulder and held onto its straps until her knuckles turned white. Her cheeks were hot and she felt warm tears sliding down her chilled cheeks.
"Oh God—"
Shivering, she slowly started to climb her way up the rope ladder, heaving herself out of the, wooden well and sat down on the lid. Curling her toes she stared at her hands. Her cheeks flushed with mortification. She felt exhausted, mortified, but most of all, confused. Everything in her body was tensed, poised to jump and her skin itched, tingled.
She slowly made her way out of the shrine, leaning heavily against the wooden doorjamb. She crossed her arms beneath her breasts and shook her head again, once again trying to make the steely golden eyed male leave her thoughts. She watched the path towards the house with mild interest, softening to mud beneath the steady rain and rubbed the back of her hand harshly against her eyes.
I-I. ⌡. Γ┐
The days had grown long and his quest for Naraku relentless. He had a good idea where the notorious Hanyō was hiding. When he learned about the yōkai hiding inside the bowels of the mountain, it hadn't taken a genius to figure out how Naraku remained undetected. Even though he now knew where the Hanyō was, didn't mean he could get anywhere near him. Thereby, his usual duties still needed his attention and it was because of that, he happened upon her while patrolling.
He happened on her by complete coincidence, her unmistakable reiki brushing against his youki in a knowing caress. His nostrils twitched as the distinct vanilla scent of his Miko suddenly hit the air. It was as if she'd been cloaking herself and just released the spell.
His lids lowered slightly and he inhaled softly. Her scent was so strong, he halted at the forest edge.
Miko Chiharu
Despite his best efforts to avoid direct contact with any member of the Hanyō's pack, he kept running into his little Mikō. The last time, when the animated corpse had taken Rin, he'd been not too pleased to lay eyes on her. Eyes wide and scent clean and pure. He hated her a little bit more that she remained absolutely oblivious to what he wanted. Hated and resented her for being physically attracted to her. If only she did not feel that way.
But she did.
It didn't help that she was in fact powerful too. He still couldn't phantom that her reiki and his youki had accepted each other so thoroughly. When he first sensed the sizzle of her holy power he'd thought she would have died inside of a month. Yet, as headstrong as the girl was as forgiving where her powers. Even with the natural warmth she expressed for all kind — her reiki wasn't hostile by nature — his youki should have torn it to shreds.
He snorted to himself. How foolish it had been to think he could have predicted her resistance.
Sesshōmaru inhaled again. There was something off about her scent.
It took him a moment to realise what it was.
Her scent was off because there was another scent. It curled around her, human and strong, but most of all. It was male. It was different, he didn't know it, but he did know the sudden fury that ran through his blood. He was in the clearing in the blink of an eye, standing in the shadows from the trees.
He found himself suddenly close enough to her to see the freckles on the bridge of her nose. With the fading sun they almost disappeared, but he could still make them out. She gasped, eyes widening as she took several steps back, the yellow monstrosity her sister always carried dropped on the muddy forest floor with a soft thud.
"Sesshōmaru?"
He felt more of the anger he felt display on his face and her expression twisted in fear. She looked like a doe caught by a predator. He took another step forward fisting his hands into the collar of her shirt and hoisted her up, bringing her face closer to his.
"Who is he?"
She seemed at a loss: "W-What?"
She always seemed at a loss and he tightened his grip on her. He hadn't known her to be spiteful before and he felt the need arise to give her a good shake.
"Who is he?"
"—I, I think— j-just a friend," she whimpered, talons scarping over her shoulder, "I— let go."
A friend. How foolish did she think he was. Yet, apart from her obvious discomfort, she showed no sigh of spite. She looked irritated, annoyed and more than a bit afraid, but she had yet to be spiteful. He looked at her. Inuyasha's lifestyle had been hard on her and while she'd been more child than woman, her face had sharpened, cheekbones accentuating her face nicely.
She had been afraid back then too. He remembered stumbling on her before she'd learned how to really use any of her senses. His anger dissipated slightly and the girl's voice jolted him from his observations. The scent of her human friend, still heavy in the air and yanked her closer.
He did not share…
Not with her…
To be continued…