You and Me After All
Chapter 42: Sustenance
Sesshōmaru hovered near the opening of the tent. Lady Seirin looked hesitant to leave, her golden eyes flitting between Kagome and the daiyōkai.
"We will be outside." She relented before she headed towards the outdoors.
Kagome was uncertain if the female said it for Sesshōmaru's benefit or hers, but regardless, she felt better knowing there were others outside the tent.
"Leave the flap open," Sesshōmaru said.
Seirin nodded. "As you wish."
Then, it was just the two of them inside the open tent. Kagome had half expected the small confines, and him in it, would have sent her into another fit of apoplexy, but she found herself able to keep her calm.
"May I approach?" He asked in a quiet voice.
Kagome gave a slight nod and sat up.
The tent was tall enough for Sesshōmaru to stand without bending and large enough for him to take several steps to reach her bed. Someone had arranged a pile of furs for her to lie on, cushioning her against the hard ground.
The daiyōkai lowered himself to his knees and offered her the platter of food he was holding in his hands.
"Eat," he said.
Kagome eyed the plate fashioned from a broad leaf and the cuts of meat threaded on sticks — rather like skewers, actually.
"What is this?" She asked. The meat itself was unlike anything she had ever seen before, but she was starving. And it was cooked, and piping hot. Even now, her mouth watered at the sight and smell of it.
"An equivalent to a snake in your world," Sesshōmaru replied. "Most beasts in this forest are filled with too much jyaki to be consumed as sustenance. This is one of the few exceptions. I took out the poisonous gland and bled it dry. It is safe for you to eat."
Gingerly, Kagome put one in her mouth and chewed. It tasted like chicken, but right now, it might as well be manna from heaven. She ate another one, then another one. Before she knew it, she was stuffing her face in front of Sesshōmaru.
He observed her, in silence at first.
"My cousin said you were starving. I did not think —" He paused to sigh and wiped his face. "I had the intention to feed you in town, but nothing happened as planned. I am sorry."
I am sorry…
Something about what he said sounded so perversely funny to her. Kagome put the skewers down on her lap, clamped a hand over her eyes, and laughed. It was a mirthless, hollow sound.
"Sesshōmaru. You said sorry for the lack of food, but not even once did you apologize for what you did to me." She looked up at him as her eyes began to water again. "Why?"
If her question discombobulated him, he did not show it. Instead, he stared down on his lap for a long time before lifting his eyes to look at her.
"Miko," he said. "What I did to you is so heinous, it makes the word 'sorry' sound like an insult."