Acclimated
Chapter 4
Kagome grumbled quietly after an escaping sneeze, miffed at the frigid season. It was the beginning of winter and she had already fallen ill. Frosty hands pulled at thick outer layers, closing the gap to keep in the circulating warmth. It was supposed to have been a short journey; a two-day trek. But she miscalculated; underestimated. Now, the storm blew her off-course.
Laboured steps continued along the winding trail up mountainous terrains. Icy winds bit at pinking cheeks, deepening a regret of not being more prepared. The higher altitude felt leagues colder compared to the valleys protected by towering foliage. Finding it useless to dwell, she pushed forth.
It was late in the afternoon when the forking trail came into sight. Glad to see the familiar landmark, she turned to the left, taking the steeper uphill path along the escarpment. In another few hours, a small clearing had emerged. And by the time she had reached said clearing, the sky had turned a darkened grey.
Settling down, she rested against an outcrop while massaging tired legs. Contented sighs ghosted over cool lips as deft fingers rubbed soothing circles over knotted muscles. After a few light stretches, Kagome took in the sight of the frost-covered pinnacle, and set about gathering the required herb. Low supplies and the ailing season had prompted this journey, and if only she had set out a week before, she wouldn't have been caught in such dreary weather.
It had taken much longer than expected foraging for medicinal plants, but the task was now complete and the return journey finally commenced. The steep descent proved more challenging, taking longer to trek and requiring more carefulness in each wayward step. As she neared the next plateau, a wave of light-headedness caused her to stumble, dropping her basket and spilling its contents.
Pausing to collect herself and her fallen things, a decision was made to take a short rest. Leaning against the mountainside, wonderment stared agape at the vast expanse of the sloping landscape. The gloomy forecast shuttered the warmth of any sunlight, instead bathing the atmosphere in misty fog. Past the short ledge was a direct descent, lending her to absentmindedly check both footing's stability.
Puffs of white began to drift gingerly, landing on fluttering lashes of closing lids. Another tingle led to a subsequent sneeze. Skin felt colder by each passing moment as chills radiated from her huddled center. Pressing a hand to forehead, temperature heated as frozen fingers warmed. Sicker than before, she tallied the remaining daylight as a new plan was devised. The hidden cavern was halfway along the trail, and she would be there soon to set up camp. There wouldn't be enough time to make the whole voyage home before the dark ushered in frigid temperatures.
As Kagome gathered her things to disembark, a minacious aura roamed over gradually. She immediately recognized to whom it belonged.
Evocation of the last encounter played as a reminder that once again, she was still alive. She remembered remnants of his heady glare, the severing pain from sharpened claws, the swell of her warmth and the sea of his darkness. And so it had been perplexing to have awoken just outside the barrier of her abandoned village. It was even more puzzling to have found the carcass of a large gutted hare, laid flatly a few paces beside her upon waking. Thoughts had been occupied for days by the strangeness of the daiyoukai's actions, and she was still no closer to figuring what exactly he wanted from her. The only rational notion was that he hadn't wanted her dead, at least not yet.
A lone figure emerged in the distant peak, taking a forceful leap before landing in the narrow clearing. Sesshomaru wore the same; white and red, blue and gold. Did youkais get cold?
"I'm not afraid of you," Kagome pronounced, upturning her chin defiantly. Twice they encountered, and twice she had lived. Whatever game he was playing, she felt emboldened to challenge.
Piercing eyes slanted toward her unknowingly bared throat. Her shiver was slight from the ensuing wind; from patches of bareness between soft cloths. "I do not seek fear."
"I don't want to fight you, either," came her callow retort. Seriously, what does he want?
A slender hand lifted, pointed tips spread. Youki encircled, poison materialized. "Defend yourself."
Unexpected and swift, Kagome recoiled at the sudden onslaught while remaining unmoving and still. A hair out of place and she knew she'd be minced.
Coming close without contact, glowing whips of youki danced in a flurry of green. The trailing light cacooned her still as familiar warmth soon began prickling just beneath her skin. It was a wondering sensation she wished to control. Her potential had since lain dormant. That was until now, seemingly reacting to Sesshomaru's threats. Was this what he wanted to see?
Just as abruptly, the mock attacks ceased as tightened eyes opened to regard her opponent. His aura receded and a clawed hand lowered, long sleeves once again shielding the deadly points from view. Inclining his chin slightly, he critiqued. "Your concealment balsam is inadequate."
A conversation – she was more comfortable with, and preferable to violence. Taking the opening, she unflinchingly replied. "It's the best I can come up with, since my previous method is no longer an option." His senses are keen.
"Your previous method?"
"An enchanted rosary. It broke that day we first met." Fingers absently splayed over her collar as recollection surfaced of their encounter three moons ago. "I couldn't find the spell to fix it."
The beads she had gathered, but useless it remained without the proper enchantment. A dear friend had provided protection, and now that protection was gone, along with the rest. At this moment, she once again felt immensely alone.
A gust uplifted, shifting her sorrow while cascading his snow white strands. It was almost ethereal – otherworldly – the way he stood. Seemingly untouched by elements and untouched by time. He turned to face the direction of the dwindling daylight, no longer focused on her. His expression became far, a subtle glaze to his eyes. Following his focus, a compatible silence fell between them.
"Is it true," Kagome decided to tread cautiously a while later, "that you conquered and killed thousands ruthlessly?"
Melancholy coated each word, hesitation radiating from her lips. He reflected the past in muted contemplation, though outwardly his expression remained cooly impassive. "Each has their truths."
An affirmation. There was a deepening desire to know, and she found herself desperate. "Were you there during the insurgence?"
"There was no need for my involvement."
The unspoken hid between tactful words, loud as they were silent. They didn't make it that far. It was uneasy contentment; that though her friends and family had risen against an army of nefarious youkais, it wasn't this youkai that had ended them. This truth she chose to believe.
But that was many years ago. Time has passed. Time has not healed. So the subject was changed. "Why do you seek me out?"
It was a question he had dissected many times over. Ever since their first brush of contact, a nagging need to understand his magnanimous actions resounded. Yet, answers were none closer, and there were more questions still. It had been irksome. Preternatural eyes turned to level her eyes. "I have my reasons."
Meeting his look unblinkingly, she was curious to know, so she continued to pry. "What would those reasons be?"
What reason does he have? A presence was felt, a power explored. It was only logical for a ruler to know thy threats. The source had been found and suspicions confirmed. Why he felt the need to confabulate with this woman was beyond his reasoning. Why he was still, he began to wonder again. It was unlike him, and thus this must end. This was fleeting intrigue. This was a distraction. He has had enough answers.
Golden gaze hardened at her pressing inquiry, rending a look that unnerved her in a shuddering chill. Thinking that perhaps it was the wrong thing to ask, she was about to rephrase when Sesshomaru drew his sword in a slow display, the blade chiming vividly in the frosty air.
Suddenly on alert, Kagome's eyes widened as she backed away in dawning apprehension. "Wha…what are you doing..?"
His expression darkened, the corner of his lips lifting in feral intensity. Without a word, the sword swung down fluidly as a glimmering barrier materialized, shielding the miko from the deafening strike.
Hearing the impact but not dead from the blow, Kagome peeked behind shielding arms to witness her creation and predicament. A foot above her head was the gleam of his sword, blocked and sparking from contact with her buckling barrier.
She could feel it now, the movement and churning of her glowing reiki in turbulent waves. She could visualize the path of energy flowing from her upturned hands to the forming foundation of the circular fort. Entranced and elated, more energy was willed into the magical sphere in beguiling bewilderment, testing her control just to be sure it was real.
She was so transfixed that she hadn't realized the lifting of a sword, nor the singular downward swing that forcefully shattered the magic of her barricade.
In a vigorous blaze, reiki dispersed as Kagome finally succumbed to the drain on her energy and spirit.
Moving to catch her fall, the miko's limp body laid cradled against Sesshomaru's hard armour, gossamer fur brushing against pink cheeks.
When ladened lids struggled to lift, visions of white and silver glossed over unfocused eyes.
And when arms and legs struggled in her dream-bound state, only a firming hold barred her movements and kept her still.