Chapter Four
The next morning, after a long night of fitful, dreamless sleep, Kagome approached Sesshomaru, a bright smile on her face. But as soon as Kagome came near to him, she knew better than to do it again. Although he had looked upon her with kindness and care just last night, all trace of it had disappeared. His eyes were narrowed, irises circled with a blood red that threatened to leak towards the pupil, which would signal his extreme, barely controlled anger. His jaw was clenched, the muscles jumping angrily, and Kagome was afraid she would hear the crack of teeth, that was how powerfully they were pressed together.
"Sesshomaru?" she asked tentatively, fear beginning to creep into her heart.
As soon as she sounded his name, a blast of heat hit her, his anger literally burning the air around him. The fear that had begun to creep into her heart quickly spread throughout her body, stiffening limbs, causing her breath to escape her. For a moment, her mind went into complete panic, and the world disappeared for a moment.
When her vision returned, body back under her control, Sesshomaru was long gone, barely visible on the horizon. So she followed, slowly, the chill of fear causing her to shiver even as the heat of the day beat on her. What happened?
The odd duo spent the next few days in complete silence. Of course, it wasn't that hard; Sesshomaru made sure that there was at least a few yards between them as they walked, keeping his pace fast enough to stay away from her, yet slow enough that she could still see him and follow. Once darkness approached, he'd gesture for Kagome to rest and replenish her energies and spirits with the supplies she had gathered and brought with her. Once he was sure she was fine, a fire brought to life by her small, quick hands, he'd disappear, either to patrol the surrounding area or to meditate and rest in a tall tree or cave.
Kagome spent these days in a fretful worry. It was as if she had cabin fever…without the cabin. She hadn't spoken to anyone in days, for their path was one hardly taken by travelers, leading to a place much too dangerous for the average human to even consider walking towards, let alone actually travel there. The hot, sweltering days were spent desperately trying to keep up to Sesshomaru, then furtively trying to keep her legs moving as the day dragged on. By the time night fell, her mind was blank, her body moving unconsciously, instinctively forward. As soon as she saw a movement from Sesshomaru to stop, she'd collapse for a few minutes, just to get her heart rate slow enough so that it no longer beat painfully in her throat, and then would slowly set up camp. She'd have a small meal of ramen and then immediately fall asleep, all before her fire reached its full, burning peak.
When a week had passed, her body only whimpering, not screaming, in pain, Kagome gazed at the daiyoukai, who was barely visible through the foliage. With a sigh, she gazed down at the ground, making sure to avoid the tree roots that seemed to stretch upward, wanting to trip her. Ever since that first night, Sesshomaru's been avoiding me. I wish I could talk to him about it, or at least try to make things feel less…awkward. But he rarely lets me near him, and when I accidentally get close enough to see his face… With a shiver, Kagome shook the scary thought from her mind, quickly changing the subject to something less frightening, like how jealous her friends will be at her more slim and muscular body.
As the days passed in the aforementioned silence, Kagome often found herself wanting to scream in frustration, but managed to refrain from doing so, the fear of attracting the daiyoukai's anger imprinted on her mind, controlling her actions.
It was as if that night never happened, as if she were still a filthy human, only capable of destroying his land and creating more filthy humans who would destroy even more of his land and make more filthy humans. To him, she was a vermin, whose sole purpose was to multiply mindlessly, ruining the earth in the process with her selfish human tendencies.
The way he looked at her, the way he openly showed his disgust and contempt for her, made her feel dirty, as if she were unworthy for him to even spit upon, let alone look at her. It felt like she should be begging for her life, for mercy, because she looked upon his person, walked in his footsteps, touched his shadow. It was a feeling that nearly broke her heart, for within her strong yet battered heart, there sounded a small yet quiet thrum within it, a sound that cried 'Sesshomaru'.
Besides, the angrier he got at her, the more steps he took away from her, away from the progress she thought they had begun to make. He had shown remorse, shown care for her when she was at her lowest, even going to far as to offer his hand to help her up. He actually made the first step to make physical contact with her. But now he looked at her with so much hatred, as if he would kill her just for existing if he could.
Finally, after the long, painfully silent week passed, Kagome could no longer stand it. She was close to dying of lack of communication anyway; she might as well die at the hands of an angry, ridiculously good-looking youkailord. With a deep breath, sure that her voice would be able to carry to the sensitive ears of Sesshomaru, Kagome was just about to yell at him, when a wise, deep voice spoke to her, in the recesses of her mind. Peace, beloved miko. Such actions will be the downfall of you. Remain silent yet strong; it is affecting the foolish pup more than any words could.
'But what else can I do?' Kagome replied, frowning. 'It feels as if we are not making advances in our quest, as if I am merely following him as he angrily tries to get away from me. How are we supposed to complete this task if we are hardly acquaintances, let alone comrades? It is impossible! Besides, his silence leaves me in the dark. I do not know if he leads me to our first task, or it he is merely forcing me to walk until I collapse, dead, and he cannot be blamed for my death.'
A soft chuckle sounded in her mind, and then the reply came. It is because you are only focusing on the youkai lord that you do not realize the path he walks.
Scoffing, Kagome was about to reply that they have been wandering in circles in the forest for days, when her gaze actually focused on her surroundings. In her embarrassment, Kagome realized that the god was right; the thick forest that had once surrounded her, filled with underbrush and various green foliage had dissipated, growing less thickly. The ground below her, once filled with threatening roots, dead leaves, and weeds was now rocky. The flat path they had been walking had begun to grow steeper, her calves burning more than they had before.
Blushing, Kagome rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. 'Heh…I guess I was distracted. But can you honestly blame me? Sesshomaru's more pissed than a fire hydrant…'
Busy speaking to the god in her mind, Kagome almost didn't notice that Sesshomaru had stopped walking. It was only when she hit a wall of heat a few yards away from the daiyoukai that she realized that Sesshomaru's anger had grown, the air around him burning.
With a gasp, taken by surprise, Kagome's lungs began to burn, the heat of the air stifling her. Her mouth and throat dried almost instantly, and she swallowed dryly. The sweat that she was covered in dried for a second, before she began sweating profusely, her body's desperate attempt to bring its temperature down. But, though Kagome felt as if she were trapped in an overheating sauna, when her eyes locked with Sesshomaru's, she broke into a cold sweat. A shiver raced up and down her spine, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand, fear racing through her veins.
So much hatred, she thought, unable to look away from the burning flames of red and gold that lit Sesshomaru's gaze. I can't look away…yet it feels as if he's gazing into my soul, consuming everything that I am with his anger…it hurts…
Slowly at first, Kagome began to back away from him, her steps uncertain and clumsy, mind focused on the angry youkai lord in front of her, not on where her feet were going. But, for each hesitant step Kagome took backwards, her mind whirling as she silently, desperately, tried to get away from him, Sesshomaru took a menacing step forward. All the while, Kagome's dark eyes, widened slightly in panic and pain, stayed locked with Sesshomaru's eyes. Any attempts she made to look away failed, for the angry sparks in his eyes drew her gaze like a moth to…well…flames. She watched these angry sparks burst into a raging fire, the blood-red in his iris bursting in his golden gaze, fading and brightening, and its macabre beauty was hard to look away from.
Then, with one inevitably wrong step, Kagome lost her footing and, unable to regain her balance thanks to her weakened reflexes from her all-consuming fear, she fell with a jarring thud. Shaken from Sesshomaru's gaze, as if the bump had awakened her from a dream, Kagome regained some of her senses. Swallowing thickly, the burning air swirling angrily around her, Kagome nervously licked her parched lips, an action that was more habit than anything, for her mouth and tongue were much too dry for her to wet her lips. "L-Lord S-Sesshomaru?"
At the sound of his name, Sesshomaru blinked slowly, and for a split-second, Kagome's heart leaped up with the desperate hope that she had actually made it through to him. She would definitely take an easily-irritated, vain, self-righteous youkai lord over a volatile, extremely angry, on the verge of murder daiyoukai any day. But when Sesshomaruopened his eyes, the only color she could see in them was red, and her now-foolish hope dropped from her heart into her stomach, causing the contents of her stomach to sour and dissolve into a pit of despair. Closing her eyes tightly, knowing that an attack upon her person was soon to come, Kagome whispered, "Please…let my time come later…not now. Not with everything in stake…"
As a single tear escaped her eye, leaving a silvery trail behind it as it flowed down her cheek, Sesshomaru closed the space between them with angry, gracefully powerful steps. In an instant, he snatched Artemis's bow from her, drew an arrow, and pressed the arrow's sharp tip against her throat. As she swallowed thickly, still trying to moisten her throat, she felt the arrow pierce her, causing a small drop of blood to trickle down her throat, the brightness of the red in stark contrast with her pale, pale skin.
Kagome, a somewhat knowledgeable archer, knew that the limitless power that Sesshomaru held within him combined with the goddess's bow would make it relatively easy for him to shoot the arrow straight through her throat, and release several more arrows in the span of nanoseconds into and through the rest of her body. If he were feeling kind, he would make it quick and painless…but by the look in his eyes, it looked as if he wanted to make her suffer, a dreadfully slow and painful death.
No!Kagome silently cried, a desperate plea sounded in her mind. I am powerless against this daiyoukai! What can I do? Any attempts to stop him, to harm him, would unavoidably lead to more anger from him and increase my chances of dying. But I can't die! Too much depends on my survival, on my completing this task that I unknowingly wished for.
As her thoughts bumped and collided in her mind, so frenzied were her thoughts, Kagome failed to notice the odd tingling sensation that the air had begun to charge with. It was as if a soft buzzing noise was ringing in the air, and it caused Sesshomaru to stiffen, his senses now focused somewhere far away. Realizing Sesshomaru's hold on the bow had slackened slightly, no longer was it pressing painfully into her throat with every breath she took, Kagome glanced fearfully up to the daiyoukai, afraid he was deciding to kill her some other, more painful way.
When she noticed his distraction, it was at this moment that she saw his hair was beginning to rise into the air, as if someone had just rubbed a balloon upon his head, causing the hairs on his head repel one another, lifting into the air for escape. Glancing down, Kagome realized that the hairs on her arm were beginning to stand, and she could sense the hairs on her head beginning to lift up, too. What the…?
A split-second after Sesshomaru realized something powerful was headed their way, Kagome sensed it also. Subconsciously, she raised a barrier, and it was not a moment too soon. In a flash, Sesshomaru leaped away from her, just as a bolt of lightning struck the ground where he was standing. The powerful strike sent a cloud of dirt flying in all directions, and they billowed out and away from the area of destruction. Kagome's barrier, although successfully blocking impact of the bolt of lightning from harming her, shimmered and dissolved as it absorbed the vigorous shockwaves that followed.
Gazing at the black crater before her, Kagome knew that it was not an ordinary bolt of lightning. First of all, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. But, besides that, the power behind it…was immense. It was much more boundless and immeasurable than Sesshomaru's.
With Sesshomaru now away from her, his anger no longer directed towards her, Kagome gasped, the tension and fear finally releasing their hold upon her lungs. With a deep breath, she took in the deliciously cool air into her lungs, closing her eyes in bliss at the now extremely precious gift of oxygen.
After she had had her fill of cool air, her heart rate slowing dramatically, Kagome placed a gentle hand upon her throat, wincing as her hand brushed against the tender area where the tip of the arrow had punctured her. Although she knew it would be sore for a while, she contented herself with the fact that it had stopped bleeding, and turned her attention to her throbbing ankle. She had not realized she had hurt it in the fall, too distracted with trying to get away from the wrathful Sesshomaru, but now she was unable to not ignore its definite ache.
She kept her mind busy with her aches, pains and bruises, which was a subconscious attempt to divert attention away from Sesshomaru as she slowly and unconsciously began to repress whatever fears and bad thoughts she had of him. Deep within her, she knew that if she let what happened fester into a problem, she would not be able to truly trust him. But, for this mission, that was the only thing she needed to do, no matter how dangerous he truly was to her. Unknowingly, her heart had already forgiven him for his deeds, and was ready to take him in and comfort him, just as he had comforted her once before.
But Sesshomaru was definitely going to make it hard for her. A few feet away, Sesshomaru paced like a wild animal trapped in a cage. A very, verywild animal. Angered that Zeus had interfered, and even more angry that the gods would continue to prevent the miko from being harmed by him, Sesshomaru glared at said miko. Somewhat in control of his emotions, his anger no longer blazing like a fire around him, Sesshomaru slowed his stride and spoke, knowing that it was the only way for him to express his displeasure, now that killing her was forced out of the picture, thanks to those meddling gods. "I sensed it, human," he practically spat, his anger beginning to return at the thought, and he began glower menacingly. "You were speaking with my father."
Kagome, who had been stealing glances at Sesshomaru, feeling more like the prey with every look as Sesshomaru stalked about like the true predator he was, scrunched her face in confusion. "I don't know what you're talking about, Lord Sesshomaru."
At this response, Sesshomaru turned quickly to face her, his rage beginning to show itself as a hint of red began to appear around his irises. Through gritted teeth, Sesshomaru said, "I sensed it, human! You cannot lie to me!"
Quickly, Kagome began to nervously spew out words, hoping that by speaking she would distract him from wanting to kill her for her lack of knowledge. "I do not know if I was speaking to your father…all I know is that a god spoke to me in my mind and I replied, as that is the respectful thing to do when dealing with gods. I do not know for sure the exact identity of the god, and I did not know that your father was a…a god…" Although that would explain the "I'm-so-much-better-than-everyone-on-the-entire-planet" attitude…"I did hear that voice once before, though. It was the voice that led me to you, that reminded me that you were alive and able to help me on my important quest. I was not the one who initiated the contact, nor was I aware that it was your father…if it really was… But I apologize for causing any problems for you, Sesshomaru. I'd tell you I wouldn't do it again if I could, but that is out of my control."
Eyes narrowed, Sesshomaru scoffed. Just like my father to speak to the weak human miko and not to his own son. I'll never understand him.Without another word, Sesshomaru turned from her and left, his steps easily and gracefully increasing the space between them.
Blinking rapidly, Kagome heaved a sigh of relief. It's over…just as quickly as it began. Man, dealing with Sesshomaru is the most mind whirling experience I'veever had. I hope I come out of this quest sane…and alive.
Making sure that Sesshomaru was far, far ahead of her, now welcome to the large, empty area between them, Kagome followed. The more space there was between them, the better her chance of tucking tail and running…after facing Sesshomaru head on, albeit not on purpose, running definitely felt like the safer path. Even though it would eventually lead to poison claws in the back, that seemed like a better way to go than having to stare into his angry eyes once more. It feels like if I had stared into his burning gaze for another minute, he would have consumed me from the inside out. It was as if he were starting a fire in my mind, in my heart, in my soul…such an uncomfortable, painful sensation…
With a shudder, Kagome continued walking, her thoughts no longer focused on the daiyoukai in front of her, nor the sparse foliage around her. Her thoughts were centered on the image of Sesshomaru's burning gaze, the only fearful thing her mind could not repress deep within her subconscious…and it would definitely haunt her for days to come. There was only one surefire way for her to ease the image from her memories, and so Kagome busied herself with a mental list of all the supplies she would need, eagerly anticipating the sunset, for that would be the time when she could guide the picture from her thoughts.
Later that night, Sesshomaru did his usual patrol of the surrounding area, which he did even though it was extremely unnecessary. With his all-powerful aura and the spiritually sickening aura of the miko he travelled with, no demon was foolish enough to come within a mile of them. Yet, even though it was unrequired, he needed to get away from her. Their first night together, she had affected him, forced him to feel the weak, human emotions that she felt. By doing this, she had made him weak, even if it was just for a moment. But he knew that a moment of weakness was a moment too much. No matter how powerful he was, if any of his enemies saw an opening, it would be his downfall. Did not his omnipotent father suffer that exact fate, allowing a human to weaken him with the emotion of love, leading to his death? His aloof mother often told him it was his father's final lesson for him, and it was one he should heed with utmost care.
It was this lesson that he kept closest to his heart. Emotions, the things that humans feel and can cause others to feel, leads to weakness...no matter how powerful one is, this weakness will lead to death. By staying emotionless, Sesshomaru had been able to grow in power, had taken his father's responsibility as lord of the Western Lands, and had promoted and preserved the peace in his lands. All the while, despite the various attempts his enemies made against him, he had survived and ministered the consequences of trying to harm his person. He ignored any pangs of emptiness within his heart as the years went on, choosing not to notice that those who served him did so fearfully, while his father had claimed his people's hearts and loyalty. Sesshomaru had long ago accepted the fact that his father had been a daiyoukai filled with passion and power, as quick with compliments and praise as he was with a sword, while he himself was a daiyoukai of cool indifference, his approval and criticism easily sensed by whoever deserved it, making words unnecessary.
As he scouted the area, an odd scent invaded his senses. As he took deep whiffs of the smell, he frowned slightly, for it was one strange and foreign to him. Realizing it was coming from the miko's direction, he uneasily made his way towards her. Sensing that she was in no danger, but was the once creating the scent, he tensed, knowing that he would have to get in close proximity of her. But the smell drew him forward, for, though it was neither an appealing nor unappealing scent, it evoked his curiosity. Slowly, silently he approached the human's camp, something that he had been trying to avoid at all costs.
Wow. It's been six months since I last updated this story. Holy crap. I'm really sorry. Time flew, man. I would've updated it a couple of days ago, since I had some of this chapter already written in a tablet, and transferring it to the computer it easy-peasy, but I realized something. My chapters have been extremely short compared to a lot of other writers, and I figured if I update less often than they do, I should have the decency to at least make them longer. I tried. It's a little longer...maybe a page or two longer than usual. (*sigh*) This story is proving to be much tougher, because my ideas are centering on after the whole "big task" that Kagome has, and I'd say more but then I'd ruin the story, so let's just say my ideas are flowing on the middle-ending part of the plot, not the beginning-middle part of the plot (which is these chapters onward) and it really is a bummer. Because this part of the story's not so good, but the middle ending part is sure to be golden, but the beginning's what draws and captivates readers, right? Oh well. If people stick around long enough for the ending, it should be good. Actually, this chapter was going to be a little longer, but it's late, and I've been staying up late for the past three nights after work and stuff to write this chapter, so I figured enough is enough. Six pages or so of writing is double what I've been writing, so it should be good enough, right? Poop. Okay, next chapter. I promise it'll be updated sooner than six months, and that it'll be longer. I just gotta update my other stories and make sure their chapters are longer and more detailed, too. Whee. So much to look forward to. Laters.
I do not own Inuyasha.