Breakfast came and went without excitement. Inuyasha wasn't there, as he remained in Kagome's hut to heal while his meal had been delivered to him. The miko was still with him, likely keeping the boy company, and Sesshoumaru was grateful for the silence. She seemed to be making small talk when she wasn't making demands of him. And now that his true packmates had departed on their mission, he preferred to be left to his own devices.
The monk had left after the meal, but none had spoken of where he was going. As Sesshoumaru didn't care, it was of no consequence. Uninterested in returning to his own hut, he simply sat beneath his tree, and allowed his mind to wander; if only to pass the time. He tried to be productive, considering more possible scenarios for when they could finally see their plans through. But he admitted that it was not of much use to predict when so much remained uncertain.
He noticed the slayer approaching him in his periphery. But he elected to ignore her, as he was wont to do. That is, until he couldn't.
"Mind if I sit?"
He hadn't any contact with the woman since joining forces to aid his dimwitted brother against the snake demon early that morning. In fact, he had taken no time to acquaint himself with the seemingly lower status members of this pack ever since his reluctant addition. Why should he?
But she would be his ally in battle. From what he had witnessed, her fighting skills were acceptable... for a human. Any female who could give your average demon a run for his money was certainly deserving of the smallest hint of acknowledgement. So he dug deep within himself, and trudged it up.
"Do as you please."
"Careful, I might take you up on that."
What did she mean by that? Humans had such a strange way of speaking to one another. But he discerned from her smirk that she intended to be friendly. Rather than encourage elaboration, he simply remained silent. If she were anything like the miko, she would explain herself without prompting.
"Just kidding."
He didn't understand human jokes. He couldn't for the life of him understand what was so fucking funny to them, when their very lives threatened to end at nearly every moment.
Though, to be fair, he rarely understood the jovial tones demons possessed, on the rare occasions that they did. Even as a pup, his father- and father's comrades- put his sense of humor into question.
Undeterred by his persisting silence, she took on the task of filling the great chasm between them.
"Thanks for helping me back there this morning. Your brother is a lot heavier than he looks."
The statement rang true. One of the worst things about being human was the depletion of his strength. Even among demons, Sesshoumaru could perform awesome feats even one handed. When he had gone to lift his brother, he was startled at the actual effort he had to display to complete such a simple task.
He was disappointed to acknowledge that he would have tired very quickly if forced to carry him on his own. It was a wonder that mortals were able to survive at all with such limitations.
It made the slayer's praise of him perplexing.
"But you probably didn't notice. You're so strong, after all. Great job with all that wood chopping, by the way."
He barely heard the woman as he mulled over his physical weakness. He recalled his appointed chore, and how taxing it had been. It was amazing how such a simple thing caused an ache in his shoulders which he had only attained previously after his most challenging battles. He restrained the urge to rub at his knotted muscles.
"You really are in great shape. How do you keep your body so... well, perfect?"
He wanted to scoff. He was as far from perfect as he had ever been. But it pleased him still that she recognized at least his superiority among humans. Though his pride was quickly kept at bay when he reminded himself that he was only being compared to weak human men. It was nothing to preen over.
When he errantly realized that she had asked him a question, he somehow saw fit to answer. At least this woman was not as disrespectful as the other.
"The art of the sword is a demanding skill to maintain. I practiced every day, when I had them in my possession."
He hated the sympathy in her eyes at the mention of his stolen items. He briefly wondered if the thieves had managed to unlock the secret to wielding such great weapons. But those fears were quickly disregarded. With how difficult it had been for him, he greatly doubted that any other could ever use the swords. He only hoped that they would be recoverable, once tracked down.
"It's so awful that they were taken. I know you got one from your father. And I was there when you got your other one, remember?"
He vaguely recalled her being present. Though he was understandably preoccupied. And even if he weren't, he doubted he would pay much heed to the presence of an inconsequential human. In fact, it was her great privilege to witness such a feat, as far as he was concerned. It seemed she agreed.
"That was really amazing," she gushed. "Your power is really incredible."
Finally, some recognition. Not that he craved it. Certainly not from her. But with how abrasive the miko had been toward him, it was nice to know that at least some were aware of his greatness, and respected it. He was growing weary of not receiving the acclaim that he knew he deserved. Perhaps not all mortals were so oblivious.
Therefore, he deigned to agree.
"Hn. It was." Emphasis on the was.
Sango was pleased at finally earning a response. She knew that Sesshoumaru was a tad narcissistic. It became clear that if she wanted his attention, or participation in conversing, that the topic of him was a fine one to stay with.
"You will get it back. Your swords too," she assured him. She was trying to flatter him, but she realized that she meant it. It just seemed so impossible that Sesshoumaru could be beaten. If there was a way, this man would find it. It was kind of satisfying to be on his team for once. He made her feel like victory was all but assured.
Still, she wanted to offer her aid personally. To be sure that he knew that it was not only pack ties which assured him her loyalty.
"Just know that I will do anything I can to help you, so don't be shy to ask, okay?"
Equating Sesshoumaru with 'shy' sounded ridiculous as it left her mouth. No, shy was not the word. But perhaps reluctant, or unwilling, were better suited.
She doubted he would ever voice any desire of her aid in his cause. So she wanted to make it as easy for him as possible. It was clear that whatever was to become of the two of them, would be for her to initiate.
Luckily, Sango was not shy about proclaiming what she wanted.
"I mean it. If there is anything I can do for you- anything- please let me know."
He didn't react to her statement. He didn't even look at her.
She huffed internally.
She was used to Miroku turning everything into a sexual innuendo... Even when it wasn't intended. Now that it was, it appeared that Sesshoumaru was not picking up what she was laying at his feet. This was going to take more effort than she was used to.
"Like, now that you can't train with your sword, I bet you need another method to keep yourself fit..."
Not one to speak at length, he still found this conversation acceptable. Keeping in practice with his physical training was one of the few pleasures he was able to find as of late. They kept him sane, and indeed in top form. As much as one as he could currently claim to be.
"Indeed. Kata is an acceptable substitute. This One practices his formations daily."
The idea of him working out his body caused a pleasurable pressure between her thighs. If he was working his form, she would need to begin rising early enough to witness it. But maybe she could convince him to give her a private showing...
"Maybe there is something else you can do." She inched a little closer, though his focus remained on the horizon. "Something with another person. Something you can do with me..."
He still wasn't grasping the meaning of her statement.
It wasn't that he hadn't been hit on countless times by demonesses. He had. But he had never entertained the idea that a human might desire him in such a manner. He didn't consider them the same species, because, well... they weren't. To him, it was the equivalent if a cat rubbed against his leg.
More confused than he cared to admit, he finally turned his gaze upon Sango, to find her regarding him with an intense, yet somehow bashful countenance.
"Or maybe you would prefer to do something to me..."
He blinked.
The only thing he had ever desired to do to a human was to wipe them from this plain of existence. He was fairly confident that that wasn't what she had in mind.
The way she bit her lip nervously was enticing, however. And he couldn't help but engage further in this strange exchange.
"Such as?"
She smiled softly, and shrugged slightly.
"I'm just saying, it's so cold around here lately. At times like this, sometimes the best physical activities can be performed indoors. In your hut, or, in mine..."
He had no idea what humans did to keep warm within their huts, as he had never been privy to the experience.
When he was around them, all he ever noted was the rightful fear they felt in his presence.
He was curious as to what she was referring. Perhaps later, he would indulge in asking what it was that humans did to keep their meager forms fit in the confines of their homes.
He tilted his head at her in assessment, and she found the action unbelievably adorable.
"You share your hut with the miko. Perhaps it would be more prudent to perform such activities with her." His advice was offered innocently, though it seemed to elicit a more salacious reaction.
Sango did her best to appear scandalized, though in no way offended. A giggle escaped her, as a large grin overtook her features.
"Oh, you're bad!"
Oh, he was more than bad. He was terrible. The worst. Particularly where any human was concerned. So why was this woman so relaxed around his terrifying presence? Surely, even as a mortal, she was aware of the devastation he could inflict. Had inflicted...
She lightly pushed against his shoulder, though obviously intended him no harm. He could only watch the spot where she had deigned to make brief contact, completely unaccustomed to anyone touching him so familiarly, and without fear.
He should be affronted, but he could only watch on with an unexplainable interest.
"I love Kagome, but I don't want to engage in such things with her. Only a man can perform such acts satisfactorily. And you seem like a man who knows how to... satisfy."
Satisfy?
Yes, there were still many things Sesshoumaru could perform satisfactorily. He could maim her. Kill her. Break her beyond repair. Just because he held a human form, did not mean he had forgotten how to render a human useless.
He wasn't sure what feats she was implying that only a human man could accomplish. But he was more than certain that if assigned such a task, he could excel beyond any other.
"I may appear human, but I still possess a demon's soul. I assure you, I am no man."
That smile again, packed with both promise and threat.
Never had a human woman regarded him so boldly. And something in her eyes called to him to rise to the challenge... whatever it was.
She gave him a very assessing once over, approval more than apparent in her gaze.
"Well, you sure look like one. Quite a good one, I might add. And as long as you have all the parts, I won't be complaining."
Parts? There, she was mistaken.
Sesshoumaru was a minimalist by nature. But even the few items he valued enough to carry with him were no longer at his disposal.
Whatever he might need for such activities, he would need to borrow. Should he agree...
She registered his confusion, and placed a bold hand on his upper arm.
He didn't know why he allowed it. But he made no effort to prevent turning his head to watch her hand as it softy touched him.
"It must be really hard for you. Going through all this, I mean. Transforming, and losing Rin... it's got to be very stressful."
For the life of him, he couldn't offer a response.
"We all need a little relief sometimes. I think that the comfort of a woman could do you a world of good."
She was still stroking his arm, but he tore his gaze from it to look her in the face again- a face he could swear was closer than it had been a moment ago.
"Would you like that, Sesshoumaru? Would you like to blow off some steam with me?"
He raised a thin eyebrow.
"By way of physical activities?"
"Exactly."
"Within the walls of your hut?"
"Or yours. Now you're getting it."
He really wasn't. His mind only supplied him with kata moves, though he had no idea how such things could be better enacted with the help of a partner. He had only ever practiced such things alone. But humans did tend to rely more on one another for support...
"What of the monk's interference?"
He only meant that the monk's presence in his hut would prove disruptive for their training. But of course, she assumed he had meant in regards to their complicated relationship.
"He's gone one village over, probably visiting a girlfriend. He won't be back until late."
Yes, Miroku had girls in every adjacent village.
Sango had always been aware of them. As it was, the monk had made it no secret.
In her foolishness, she had professed that she didn't mind his wandering eye. She was more than confident that she would have him as hers in time.
But when time came, and he still sought other women, she had become bitter.
She conceded that it was her fault. It is naive to believe you can change a man like that.
As she began to understand that he would never be monogamous, they had begun growing further apart.
"This One was under the impression that you were his intended."
"So was I," she admitted. "But things change. And if he wants to spend time with another, I see no harm in doing so as well. An eye for an eye, don't you agree?"
Realization was finally beginning to dawn on the Western Lord. Somewhat scandalized that he had been considered in her plans for retaliation, he pressed them down as not to appear caught off guard.
He only shifted his eyes sideward.
"Perhaps."
"You understand then." She finally removed her hand from his arm, and he was grateful. He would never admit how uncomfortable he suddenly was.
"Look, you don't have to decide right now. I know this is a lot to take in. Just think about it. And whenever you're ready, we can get together and... train. Okay?"
But he was more uncomfortable with the fact that he was actually considering the proposal.
His human body wanted contact. It clamored for it many times now, ever since his transformation.
And though the idea of laying with a human was still distasteful, he was considering the benefits of allowing himself an outlet for his frustrations.
Could he do it? Could he live with himself if he did? And, less importantly, would the poor girl survive the experience?
She was an accomplished warrior, after all...
She seemed to notice his hesitation. And not wanting to scare him off, she lessened the tension a bit.
"You know where to find me. Just let me know."
He remained speechless as she rose to leave him with his thoughts.
"I'll be waiting."
She winked, a shy blush adorning her features- along with a smile- and made off for her hut.
Without a weapon to practice with, Sesshoumaru had been keeping up with his physical training in the form of martial arts. Watching his perfect form for a moment, Kagome considered that perhaps she should take him to visit a human market.
There had to be a human sword he could wield that he would not completely disapprove of. And though he was an excellent wood-chopper, he might be more comfortable if he was able to help them by fighting; particularly with Inuyasha's injuries preventing him from eliminating any threats at present.
The thought caused her contempt for him to wane to more of a sympathy. Her thoughtless wish had taken everything from him. His swords, his heritage, Rin... Maybe she was being too harsh on him. She knew that he must badly want his young ward back. And this was all her fault, after all. She should cut him a little slack.
He noticed her approaching him, but didn't stop his movements until his latest form had been completed. When it was, he stilled, and she handed him his newly washed haori.
He moved to grab it. He did not thank her for her efforts, but she wasn't expecting him to. He remained silent, and he regarded her with no disdain. She hated that she took it as a compliment.
His bar for pleasantries was really quite low. Perhaps if others required more of him, he would begin to offer it.
She turned to leave, but the sound of his voice stopped her progress.
"The slayer came to speak with me." Oh no.
She turned back to listen.
"Human colloquialisms are still lost on This One. However, I believe she has invited me to tryst."
She certainly hadn't wasted any time.
She looked at him uncomfortably, though her curiosity caused her to pry.
"Are you going to do it?"
He shrugged a shoulder.
Well, she hadn't expected that. Mr. 'I hate all humans' suddenly wasn't opposed to climbing on top of one? Her incredulity came upon her features unbidden.
"You mean to tell me that you are actually considering doing- that- with a human? Do you even like her?"
"I have no opinion either way," he offered casually, though he couldn't seem to look her in the eye at the admission. "Under normal circumstances, I would never consider it. But this new form I have taken has been rather...demanding as of late. I do not know how you mortals can endure your biology. It is very distracting."
She had become slightly irritable. It appeared that at the end of the day, men would be men after all.
"So basically, you want to get laid."
"It is nothing I want," he insisted, annoyed at the insinuation. Why did he feel the need to explain himself to her? "I fear it is something I may need, if only to clear my head."
She wanted to roll her eyes.
Sure, she was the only adult in her pack that was a virgin still. But how could everyone view such intimate things so casually? Maybe she was naïve, but she was still holding out hope that there was a bit of romance left in the world.
When she finally decided to sleep with someone, she hoped there would be more to it than simply sating her base desires. Or his.
"That's not really a good reason to have sex," she opined somewhat scoldingly. She was beginning to feel a bit like her mother. Or like a sex ed teacher, pleading with her students to keep it in their pants.
"It's not like it will cure you, you know? It might feel good for a minute, but your urges will come roaring back in an instant."
She didn't expect that her opinion would be of any consequence to him. That's why she was more than a little shocked to find that he actually seemed to be taking her words into account.
"What should I do?"
She was taken aback, nearly stilled stiff with disbelief.
"You're asking me?"
He nodded, passive mask in place.
She shook herself from her stupor, and cut her gaze downward.
"Do whatever you want. It's not really my business."
"It is if I make it so." He ventured a step closer, and fought the urge to tilt her chin up to him and demand her focus.
"As unpleasant as it may be, you seem to understand the workings of your race better than any mortal I know. Your advice in this matter would be of value."
She was... flattered.
That was by far the nicest thing he had ever said to her, not that it was much of a competition. She couldn't understand how pleased she was at the unexpected admission.
If her words held any weight with him, even a miniscule amount, she considered it her duty to steer him in the right direction. She took on this newfound responsibility earnestly.
"Well, then I guess my advice is not to do it. She may think she wants this now, but I only see it causing trouble, for both of you. It would be best not to take part."
He was almost relieved at her assessment. He had come to the same conclusion himself, but he was glad to have his reaction seconded.
He feared that he was resisting on account of some sort of trepidation. He would never back down from a challenge.
He still regarded humans as unworthy of his attentions. Though, something about the slayer's offer had piqued his interest.
But demanding biology aside, he agreed that it was a bad idea.
He considered her words another moment, and finally nodded once at her counsel.
She released a quiet breath.
She didn't know why she was so relieved.
Matter decided, he simply returned to his kata practice.
The surreal conversation was still swimming in her head, as she absentmindedly watched him perform his graceful movements.
She envied his discipline. His motions were flawless. The way his muscles reacted as he fluidly moved from one position to another clearly displayed his strength and agility. It almost looked like he was performing a dance, while fighting some invisible opponent.
She continued to watch in awe, admiring his perfect form no small measure of jealousy.
'How does he do that? So unfair.'
He didn't seem to mind that she was watching him. At least, he hadn't indicated that she should go.
If he would allow her to remain, she wondering if perhaps he would extend his generosity a bit further.
"That's pretty good. I've always been interested in kata."
Her statement earned no response, but she saw an opportunity to make use of the resource she had in former dog demon. It didn't hurt to ask.
"Would you be willing to teach me sometime?" she asked hopefully, somewhat nervous that he would refuse.
He had made no secret of his dislike of her. And though the feeling was mutual, she still desired to be cordial. He was a reasonable man, if nothing else. Perhaps he would indulge her. They would be pack, after all. At least for the time being.
They had to trust each other enough to look out for one another in their travels, in battle or otherwise. It would behoove him to see that she was in as good of condition as she could be.
"I have nothing but time, it would seem. We may begin now, if you like," he offered, never halting his movements.
His dislike of her aside, Sesshoumaru appreciated one's desire to find ways to bettering themselves. If she wanted to improve in this way, he would not deny the assistance he could offer in that regard. There were far worse ways to pass the time, especially now that the slayer's suggestion had been rendered unacceptable.
"Oh, I've got more chores to do." Unprepared for his immediate acceptance, she gestured back to their sleeping quarters. But she didn't want to blow the opportunity.
"How about later?"
"As you wish."
She watched him a moment more, before shaking herself again.
She didn't know what had changed, but ever since Jaken left with Ah-Un, he had been noticeably less prickly with her.
Maybe the knowledge that the demons were actively searching for Rin put him slightly at ease.
Was that all he wanted? She supposed it made sense.
Maybe there was a chance that once the rest of them joined the search, his mood would lift even more.
For the first time since he had joined them, Kagome felt optimistic.
Once amerced in the human village, Sesshoumaru was furious at the ease with which he was received. He had not spent much time in the presence of mortals, but he felt he preferred how they previously reacted to him: with well-placed fear.
Now, he could walk through the town unnoticed. Well, mostly.
The women of the village were fixing him with lingering glances, and the males that accompanied regarded him with a loathing he had never known. His first impulse was to shut down their hostility by way of his silent intimidation. However, a stipulation of his being brought along on this excursion was his promise to the miko that he would 'be nice.' So, he settled on the next best thing: ignoring them completely, to show how unaffected he was. He managed to make his aloofness seem almost aggressive.
Once the monk had returned from his visit in the neighboring village, the miko had proposed that the three of them embark on this little outing to a nearby market. Apparently, it was a place that was patronized quite frequently by this pack when provisions were in order, and they felt comfortable enough to travel there with less of an arsenal at their disposal; her bow would be left behind, and the monk himself would serve as sufficient protection.
Sango was tasked with the duty of watching over Inuyasha as he healed in the miko's hut, and she had announced that she would spend her idle hours reinforcing her weapon.
The shopping trip had been the miko's idea. She seemed to believe that arming the Western Lord with a weapon suited to his new abilities would serve each of them well. She seemed to be aware of his desire to fight alongside them during the battle with the snake demon, and each of them was more valuable to the rest of the pack when they were able to participate. On top of that, once finally able to set out on their journey to find Rin, it was more than likely that they would encounter hostile forces, and everyone agreed that Sesshoumaru would need a means of protecting himself. Particularly with his ability to rub almost everyone the wrong way.
She also seemed to believe that in addition to adding strength to the pack, practicing with his weaponry would serve as a fine distraction of his current troubles. He found that he could not disagree with the sentiment.
He also got the feeling that this trip was meant to serve as a reward; to placate him, for his agreement to remain with them while his half-brother slept off his injuries.
Though never venturing far from one another, he had been allowed some freedom from his chaperones to peruse the small shop which sold a variety of weaponry.
The one size fits all offering of murder tools was not ideal.
The best weapons were commissioned; specialized, with the wielder in mind, to be fine-tuned to his personal needs and abilities. And though one such as Totosai could most likely create something suitable for even his human form, such an undertaking would take time that they did not have.
Not to mention, the old curmudgeon was insufferable enough when he was terrified of him. Sesshoumaru had no desire to withstand the old man's insolence were he to be made aware of his current state.
Way up ahead, he could see the monk patronizing a shop which sold edible handmade delicacies; though from the looks of it, he seemed more interested in the pretty young daughters of the older woman who manned the shop. Not that he held back in his flirting with the older woman as well.
The miko was several stands down, admiring the various fabrics of another shop, and speaking amicably with the owner about the prices of some of the already fashioned clothing. From the friendly banter occurring between the man and she, it appeared that they had already made each other's acquaintance.
Distracted from his inspection of another less than impressive sword, he let his eyes wander once more to Kagome, to marvel at her own choice of attire.
He was aware of her strange manner of dress. The scandalous green skirt she wore was nothing he hadn't seen before. Only a select few times had he ever seen her in more traditional miko clothing. And more recently, she had been wearing much more covering attire, to compensate for the bone chilling weather as of late. The material from her time was strange, but he recognized that it was well stitched, and appeared to be of high quality. It had served its purpose, at least.
But for this trip, she had changed back into her usual ridiculously revealing outfit. The only difference was that she had some odd, transparent covering on her usually bare legs. They did nothing to obstruct the view, but he assumed they served as further protection from the elements.
But if she was so concerned with the cold, then why subject herself to such exposure?
By the way that the shop owner shoved more items in her hand with a less than innocent smile, Sesshoumaru thought that perhaps he had his answer. Where the monk made up for his low fundage by charming others out of their offerings, it seemed that the miko was able to trade by way of visual access to her body. He nearly scoffed.
He turned back to the vendor, placing his sword down and picking up another. He talked shop with the arms dealer a moment more, and tried to decide for which he would put aside his normally discriminating eye, and settle.
Weak and unimpressive as they may be, these appeared to be his only options for the time being. He had not the strength nor the ability to wield a weapon fit for a demon, so he would have to make due.
At the shop keep's behest, he was inspecting a freshly sharpened ninja star when he heard a familiar shriek in the clothing shop across the way.
"Pervert!"
The miko was rubbing her ass from the pinch she had endured, and now was waving an accusing finger in a very large man's face.
"Show some respect!"
It seemed that another customer who had braved the elements to visit the market had been eyeing more than the clothing at the stand, and made no effort to resist 'handling the merchandise.'
"I do respect that ass. You should respect me."
Pulling her against him by force, she strained to push herself from the man's grasp as he held her against him tightly.
The older shop owner beside her looked concerned, but the offender was twice his size, and half his age. Not to mention, had a small entourage of two companions for back up.
Though large, the men carried no weapons of their own. By their appearance and manner of dress, they appeared to be no more than simple farmers, likely of the lands nearby.
Kagome struggled, trying to pry herself from the man's grasp. She pounded her fists against him uselessly as the man's cronies laughed.
Trying to stick his tongue down her throat, he wasn't expecting an assault from behind.
Before he knew what hit him, Sesshoumaru had closed the distance between them, grabbing the man's arm and twisting it painfully behind his back.
The man was not as tall as him, but nearly twice as wide. He was not pure muscle, but his stature was suitable for toiling long hours as a farmhand in the adjacent fields.
The element of surprise gave Sesshoumaru the upper hand. And without a moment to brace himself, his arm had been pulled away from its offending spot on the miko, and clinically pulled up behind his back.
Forced painfully upward, Sesshoumaru did not stop until the crack of his bone rang loudly through the marketplace. The resulting scream was deafening, and with the miko successfully released from his grasp, Sesshoumaru threw him to the ground harshly. He grabbed his broken arm, wailing pathetically in pain as he writhed on the dirt ground below.
Once the initial shock wore off, one of the man's buddies lunged at Sesshoumaru, and pushed him roughly to the ground. Kagome could only watch as he landed on his back, next to the other man who was still screaming in pain, but Sesshoumaru was back on his feet in an instant.
Ninja star from the weapon shop still in hand, he cocked his arm back threateningly as he steadied his aim. Two other men approached as they faced a standoff. The man who pushed him down scoffed.
"You can't hit us both with that," he observed, challenge present in his tone.
"Correct," Sesshoumaru agreed. "Only you."
The man considered that a moment, before taking an apprehensive step forward. Sesshoumaru responded by taking a step back, and readied himself to throw the sharpened weapon at the man, effectively stopping his progress.
Resigned, the man relaxed his pose, and turned to address his friend.
"Keh. She's not worth the trouble."
Sesshoumaru remained poised to throw, as the two men helped their still wailing comrade to his feet. The man screamed as he was lifted, his arm swelling from the attack.
Kagome moved to stand beside Sesshoumaru, along with Miroku who had finally noticed the skirmish breaking out.
As the men turned to leave, Kagome placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let's go," she demanded, sensing the danger as Sesshoumaru's aura flared angrily. She knew all too well that retreating from a fight was not in his nature, and she wanted to leave before any more trouble occurred.
But Sesshoumaru was unsatisfied. There was no honor in attacking a retreating opponent. But there was also none in allowing those who disrespect you to walk away with their lives.
He watched them go, his rage in no way subsided, but he finally lowered his arm. Kagome sighed in relief, and she and Miroku turned to make their way back to the village. But once they did, Sesshoumaru readied his hand again, and threw the star perfectly at the man who had pushed him.
With an aim that Kagome could only envy as an archer, the star had effectively sliced right through the man's throat; severing his jugular. He dropped to the ground, gurgling horribly as he bled out in seconds.
Miroku and Kagome could only watch on in horror, shocked into stillness at the events that just occurred. Sesshoumaru only stood still, resigned, as the third man made his way toward them with great haste.
The man with the broken arm used his other hand to press on his friends wound, but with the fantastic rate which he was losing blood, it was obvious there was nothing he could do.
Before anyone could protect him, the third man's fist made devastating contact with Sesshoumaru's nose. The force of the blow knocked him on his back again. And once down, he straddled him, and rained more punches on the Western Lord's face.
Sesshoumaru didn't make a sound as he withstood his punishment, all the while Kagome and Miroku were doing their best to pull the enraged man off of their pack mate.
Unable to remove him, Miroku took the sharpened end of his staff to press menacingly against the man's neck. The act caused a small cut, as only a warning amount of pressure was allowed.
Aware of the threat, the man only looked at the monk with angry eyes. He made to remove himself from Sesshoumaru, but not before delivering one last blow to his head.
The fight caused a panic in the market, as business owners and shoppers clamored over what to do.
Sesshoumaru's companions helped him to his feet, and began pulling him off to the direction of the village.
"We have to go. Now."
Miroku's tone left no room for argument.
"Oh kami! What happened?"
Sango moved to approach Sesshoumaru, intent on assessing the blood which was pouring freely from his nose.
Kagome only brushed passed her, irritably dragging her new patient by the haori sleeve into her hut.
A recently washed haori sleeve, that was already ruined once again by the blood of more than one man.
Sango turned to Miroku, still awaiting an answer, and he took on the task of explaining the violent incident.
Inuyahsa was on her futon, still sleeping soundly as he mended himself from his previous injury.
Infirmary filled to capacity, Sesshoumaru was forced to sit on the floor. Once her items were ready, she sat on her knees across from him and began cleaning up his face.
She used a wet rag to remove the blood, and was at least pleased to see that the hemorrhaging had stopped. But that was the only thing she was pleased about. Her irritation at him was palpable, and she was doing her best to temper it in order to act as an effective nurse.
A pile of icicles from the roof had been chipped into small pieces, and she secured them into a sandwich bag. She placed the bag gently against his eye, and instructed him to hold it in place for her.
Damn. Just as his other eye had seemed to begin healing, now the other one was damaged. He looked like he had been in a car accident.
"It will turn black like the other one, but at least now it won't swell."
He accepted her assessment silently, as she perused his face for more injuries. Finding no more treatable damage, she joined him in silence. But only for a moment.
"That was stupid," she finally informed him, before cutting her gaze to the slumbering hanyou in her bed. At this rate, they were never going to start their journey.
"Would you like to try again? I believe the words you were looking for were 'thank you,' miko."
She hadn't expected a response, and the one he gave did nothing to quell her irritation at him.
"Like, 'thank you for killing a guy right in front of me? Or, 'thank you for getting me banned from my favorite market?'" She asked sarcastically.
"Or, how about 'thank you for putting Miroku and I in danger by picking fights with burly farmers?'"
The one eye not obstructed by a bag of ice narrowed in annoyance.
"Thank you for preventing your inevitable assault," he insisted matter-of-factly. At her displeasure, he looked away imperiously. "Or perhaps This One interfered presumptuously. Did you desire the advances of those boorish oafs?"
"Of course not," she bit out. When Inuyasha stirred in his sleep, she lowered her voice. "But there are better ways to handle those things. Civilized ways."
"Those men were anything but civil."
She reached out her hand to adjust the bag of ice so that it rested on the bridge of his nose as well. She couldn't tell if it was broken, but it was starting to turn purple.
"True. But I like to think we are better than them."
He allowed her to fuss over the bag, and held it steady once in position.
"You are telling This One that the next time such a thing occurs, you would prefer that I stay my hand?"
He raised an eyebrow, and he decided that the action hurt way more than it should.
"I'm saying, you should give me a chance to handle it on my own. I'm not totally helpless, you know."
He wasn't insinuating that she was. He knew the contrary to be true. But in his opinion, she allowed others to take far too much liberty with her person. Perhaps that was a reason she saw fit to touch others so freely in return.
"Besides, what makes you so sure there will be a next time?"
To avoid eyebrow pain, he settled for a humorless glare.
"You're manner of dress, for one."
She tried to sound offended, but it wasn't like she hadn't heard it before.
"What's wrong with my outfit?"
"Nothing, if you are a prostitute," he replied dismissively, casually shrugging a shoulder. He discovered the pain in that act as well. How was he supposed to chastise others effectively when all of his signature moves caused him discomfort?
"In such case, I cannot fault those men for assuming you to be welcoming of such attentions. How confusing for them."
Indignant, she closed her eyes defiantly. He couldn't help but be amused by the haughty response. He contained his smirk.
"I'll have you know, that this is what every girl my age wears to school in my time."
He watched curiously as she began tearing up small bits from a roll of soft paper which he recognized as similar to the one she had added to his care package.
"Then it is a wonder they are able to complete an education. Every woman in such attire could surely find herself with child prematurely."
Though annoyed with his assessment, she elected not to inform him that he was not entirely off base. Plenty of girls in her school failed to make graduation for that very reason.
"I can dress however I want. It doesn't give anyone the right to touch me like that."
"Agreed. However, if you wish to protect them from retaliation, you would find more success with a more appropriate wardrobe."
She heard what he was saying. And she admitted that it did have some merit. Inuyasha had beaten more than one man to a pulp for misconstruing her dress as a desire for attention. She never really considered that she could avoid such encounters if she only dressed more modestly.
She just didn't like the idea of changing her style up just because others got the wrong idea.
"It would also save your friends from constantly defending your virtue, if you are as concerned with their safety as you say."
"I shall consider it," she replied mockingly. For some reason, he was more amused than offended.
She instructed him to place the torn bits of toilet paper into his nostrils to help clot the bleeding. He complied, perhaps more distracted with their conversation than he realized.
"Really. Your legs are so shamelessly exposed, that one could view your choice of undergarment every time you bend to retrieve a spent arrow."
"Oh, one could huh? Well, why would one be looking in the first place?"
He looked away haughtily, unaffected at the accusation.
"It is unavoidable."
She gave a lop-sided smirk, trying unsuccessfully to sound condemning.
"Yeah, well one should try to avoid it a little harder. Pervert."
He didn't know why, but he decided her smirk earned one in return.
"Very well. The next inevitable occurrence which sees to your 'unwanted' attention, This One will stand aside and simply allow it to transpire."
She bit her cheek to prevent a giggle at the nasally tone he now produced.
"I didn't say that. Just, give me a chance to diffuse the situation myself."
They both contemplated her request for a moment. Then, she tacked on an addendum.
"After that, if they are still being aggressive, just knock his lights out. No need to kill anyone."
He watched as she gathered the remainder of her supplies.
"You are a strange human," he observed, and earned another smirk.
"So are you."
Thoroughly put out by her assessment, he saw fit to correct her.
"As I informed the slayer, This One is no man, despite his outward appearance."
At his steadfast rejection, she saw an opportunity for teasing.
"Well, you are obviously a human now. So if you insist your aren't a man, then you must be a woman." He glared at her mockery, but not hard enough to scare her. "Really, I know you are having an identity crisis, but I never expected-"
"I may not be a man, but I assure you, I am very much a male. And a demon, whether I appear it or not."
She couldn't deny the male part. She had been made painfully aware of that fact in the cave. Trying to ignore the implications of his statement- and hoping he wasn't also recalling the night she saved his life- she geared her thoughts towards the latter part of his proclamation.
He still considered himself a demon, despite how he looked. Perhaps she shouldn't peg him with labels that he didn't appreciate. If she was being honest, she didn't see him as very different as he had been before. Maybe he still was a demon, deep down in there. The thought gave her hope.
If he really was a demon inside, maybe there was a chance he could be one on the outside when all this was over.
She hadn't had any luck coming up with a way to change him back yet. But she would see her vow through to do all she could to help him return. She would think more on it later. But in the meantime, she could allow him this small concession.
"If it's any consolation, I never really saw you as a human. Despite appearances."
He accepted her assessment as acceptable, and offered a concession of his own.
"And This One had never truly regarded you as a prostitute. Despite appearances."
Fully expecting retribution, he was surprised when she laughed.
"You know how I know you are terrible? Coming from you, that actually sounded like a compliment."
As shocked as he was, he couldn't deny that she was accurate.
"Then you perceived as intended."
"That's my point! You are normally so cruel, that I actually appreciated hearing something from you that would sound like an insult coming from anyone else."
"Perhaps that should be construed as a compliment even further still. For one who rarely bestows them, the sentiment should hold more weight."
She eyed him dubiously as she weighed his words.
"I guess."
"And in contrast, one who too easily bestows compliments could not offer one of much value."
Satisfied with her patchwork, she rose from her kneeling position. She intended that he follow, as to leave his brother to rest in silence, but he remained seated.
"So you're saying that just because I am nice to everyone, that my kind words are meaningless?"
"I am saying," he inflected, imitating her previous comment, "that if you offered them less freely, the market would not be saturated. They could be seen to mean more to those who received them."
His statement hung in the air as she contemplated it, and he finally rose to join her in leaving the infirmary. She offered a hand to help him, which he pointedly refused.
Sighing internally at all the blood she would have to wash out of his clothes, she considered that it would probably save her a lot of work if she taught him how to do the chore himself.
"I know it will take some getting used to, but you can't just throw yourself into fights with men who are bigger than you."
She knew the suggestion was falling on deaf ears. Sesshoumaru would do as he pleased, even at great detriment to his own well-being.
When he moved to brush past her, she touched him gently on his arm.
He wasn't sure why, but he halted at her silent request.
Looking down at her beseeching features, she regarded his battered ones in return. It began to look like she would say nothing, so he moved to leave again. But before he exited, he heard her soft compromise.
"But thanks."
The wood Sesshoumaru had chopped previously had been covered to protect it from the elements, so as not take overly long to burn. Kagome was retrieving some logs to get ready for dinner, when she was distracted by the angry aura of her fast-approaching fried.
By the time Sango reached her at the edge of the clearing, the rage in her eyes was enough to cause the young miko to start.
"Sango, what's-"
"You just couldn't keep out of it!"
Sango could often be emotional, but Kagome was rarely the source of her displeasure. Normally, it was Miroku who had earned such ire from the young woman. Her distressed state caused Kagome more concern than fear.
"What's wrong?"
She stepped closer to her friend who had her hands accusingly on her hips.
"Sesshoumaru told me that you advised him not to sleep with me. What the fuck, Kagome?"
Oh, right.
She supposed she should feel guilty, but she was only vaguely annoyed. Really, it was all Sango's fault that she had been placed in such an awkward position.
She answered with a shrug.
"He asked my opinion, and I gave it."
Moving to continue grabbing more logs, Sango was annoyed at the apparent dismissal. She rounded on her.
"You ruined everything! I thought we were friends!"
She was kind of surprised that her friend was so upset. Surely, she must realize what a bad idea the whole thing had been. Actually, she should be thanking her for preventing her from making a horrible mistake.
"We are! Why do you think I am against it? It's only going to cause trouble-"
"For who? For you?" Kagome scoffed, turning back to her task.
"Why do you care who I sleep with? It's none of your business! Unless..." Understanding dawned on Sango's features. At least, she thought she understood.
"Oh my god, you want him for yourself, don't you?"
Stilling in her tracks, Kagome couldn't speak. She sputtered as she tried to find a way to respond to the ludicrous accusation.
"That's it! You act like you don't like him, but you would have to be insane not to notice how gorgeous he is. Admit it!"
She had conceded long ago that Sesshoumaru was attractive. But she apparently wasn't as shallow as her friend. Personality was more important to her than looks, and his was among the worst she had encountered.
"Do you know how crazy you sound? I have no interest-"
"You sure protest enough... too much, in fact. You already have Inuyasha-"
"And you have Miroku!"
Sango scoffed this time. Done with the conversation, she gathered herself to leave.
"Do me a favor. The next time you get the urge to talk a guy I like out of spending time with me, keep it to yourself. In fact, you can stay out of my life all together."
Kagome couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Sure, she was used to such things from her school friends back home. But Sango was more mature than the group of giggling school girls. At least, she thought she was...
She also thought that the two of them had a bond that was too strong to be broken by some man.
Albeit, an incredibly attractive man. But regardless, a man that Kagome had absolutely no interest in perusing.
This was all Miroku's fault. If he wasn't such a slut, Sango would be satisfied with him, instead of entertaining ridiculous Sesshoumaru fantasies.
It's a good thing Inuyasha wasn't awake. He'd be having a conniption if he knew what was going on around here lately.
"Sango-" she tried, intent on placating the irate woman.
But she was gone in an instant.
A/N: I hope it doesn't come off like I'm trying to vilify Miroku. I'm just playing up his promiscuous lifestyle to benefit my purposes here. Hopefully, I'm not making him too unlikable, cuz that's not my intention. Thanks for reading!