Chapter 8
The afternoon light was streaming through the straw of the hut. It felt so warm and comforting to feel the autumn heat on her body. 'Its so peaceful here' Kagome thought. She put a hand on her neck, and felt the bandage.
"It will heal very soon. I put a strong ointment on your wound." A woman's voice said quietly, next to her.
Kagome looked up and met the face of an old lady. Her skin was a pale color, and against it, two dark eyes full of kindness shone towards her. She was also wearing the traditional garb of a miko.
"I am Kaede, I am the village miko. I have heard much of you."
"I am..."
"Kagome. The wolf Youkai, by the name Kouga has already told me of your situation. It seems InuYasha's brother did quite a number on that neck of yours. I would take great care next time."
Kagome's eyes fired up. "I submit to no one, especially one who thinks he rules all Japan."
"Hmm, you are very spirited. That is good."
Kagome turned away from her, and looked outside the hut. It would be night soon, and Kira would be worried.
"I must go. It is late."
"That wolf is outside with InuYasha. They have been arguing for ages. You may take the bandage off, the wound on your neck will hardly be noticeable. You should take more care not to let anyone get close to you. The jewel around your neck can cause much bitter pain if grasped by the wrong hands."
Kagome turned to her, a stunned look on her face. "Did you search me?"
"No, I saw the chain while tending your wound. I have no need for what you carry. There are very few who would wish such a burden upon themselves. Unfortunately, there are far more who know nothing of the burden and thirst for the power."
Kagome nodded, feeling a sense of trust toward the old woman. Those eyes made her feel warm.
Kagome spotted Kouga, and InuYasha outside and walked up to them. It was Kouga who met her eyes first, a huge smile breaking his face.
"Kagome! Feel better? I'm surprised the mutt knew where he was taking you! You fell asleep on the way, and I carried you here." Kouga flexed his muscles, with an effort to impress Kagome.
Kagome smiled, "Thank you Kouga, I appreciate it." Kagome turned to the one called InuYasha. He was staring at her with a calculating look. "Thank you for helping me."
"Hmph, I did it just to spite Sesshomaru."
"Shut up, dog. You did it because I would have ripped those ugly ears off if you didn't."
"As if you could!" InuYasha yelled back.
Kagome sighed. "If both of you don't stop, I'll rip both your ears off."
Both of them laughed
Kagome looked toward the horizon. "Its late and I must be going. I promised I'd be back before nightfall."
Kouga scratched his head, "I need to go, but in the opposite direction. I don't want to leave you with this mutt here."
"I was going to walk back alone, anyway."
"No way! Who knows what is out there."
The old lady from the hut was walking toward them, slowly but surely. "InuYasha, you take her back to the northern palace."
Everyone stared at InuYasha in shock.
"I'm not taking her anywhere!" InuYasha said angrily.
"You still owe me a favor for mending your robe. I demand you take her." Kaede said, with authority.
"Meh! Fine, but just because it's a favor."
Kouga turned towards Kagome, "If that mutt does anything, you let me know! I'll come and find you."
Kagome nodded. She had no idea she could trust this InuYasha, but she knew she had no choice. Night was coming fast.
~*x*x*x*x*x~
Kagome woke with a start. The warmth, and rocking motion from InuYasha's back had lulled her to sleep. She lifted her head and saw the gates of the palace ahead. No, she had to stop him before he went any further.
"InuYasha, stop!"
"Jeeze, you don't have to yell so loud. What is all the fuss about?"
"Unless you want a mob chasing after you, I suggest you stop here. Thank you for the ride."
"Keh! It was nothing."
InuYasha put her down, and she straightened her robe. She watched as he turned away to leave, and laughed at the way his ears seemed to protrude so dominantly over his head.
"Wait" Kagome called.
He stopped and turned, without saying a word.
"Why did Kouga call you a han'yo? What did it mean?"
"I'm half human, half youkai." InuYasha said, the resentment clearly in his voice.
"I did not know those exist..."
"There are few... it is not exactly considered acceptable to mate with a human or youkai, depending on what you are."
Kagome nodded. "Are you happy the way you are?"
InuYasha got an odd look on his face and turned away. "No, one day I will be a full Youkai. I'd do anything for that chance."
"I see."
~*x*x*x*x*x~
Naru watched patiently as Kagome walked towards the gardens. He admired the way her dark hair shined against the paleness of her cream colored skin, and the way her lips seemed to look so sweet. She was walking carefully, trying not to be noticed. He smiled, "Did she really think her presence went unnoticed for the entire day?" Naru did not move, and waited patiently until she would notice he was standing in front of her, blocking her way. She shadow that his feet cast sent her eyes staring straight into his. Silence ...
He bowed gracefully in front of her, sending her out of whatever thought she was in, into the present moment.
The garden was dark, and quiet, nothing but the blossoms that were had fallen off the trees floated in the wind.
"It is an honor to see you, Lady Kagome. I was becoming disappointed with the absence of your presence."
"I'm sorry you felt that way. I needed some time for myself." Kagome said quietly, little care in her voice.
Naru smiled, 'Most women would be at his feet. She had not even moved an inch."
Kagome bowed and turned away, "If you will excuse me, I..."
Naru grabbed her hand gently, causing her to turn her head towards his, "I think we should become better acquainted, Kagome."
Kagome studied him carefully, her eyes locking with his, "It seems we have a clash of opinions. I have no reason to become better acquainted with you. To tell you the truth, I do not even know why you are here. You may have the court at your mercy, my father on your every word, and my sister carefully placed in the palm of your hand... but I am no fool."
Naru chuckled, this girl was more interesting than he thought.
"I will give you more time to think about my proposition. You are most likely tired from your journey. But be aware... I do not take lightly to being let down, Kagome."
Kagome walked away, not even bothering to reply.
~x*x*x*x*x*~
Sesshomaru was content sitting under the large oak tree. In the impending silence, the thought of his brother drifted through his mind. He would be the one to kill that han'yo. That sword should have been his, not that half breed's. The burden of his father's mistake weighed heavily on his shoulders. It was a disgrace what his father had done. Falling in love with a human...disgusting. They breed uncontrollably, their let their feelings control them, they are short lived, and their minds were under developed. He couldn't help but think that InuYasha was prone to all these things. He could recall his father standing there, the waves clashing under the cliff beneath them. It was winter, and nothing but the harsh winds stood between them and the blood from his father's arm dyed the snow. He could not understand how his father risked his life for that worthless ningen, or her son. The question repeated in his head, over, and over... "Do you have something to protect?"Sesshomaru scoffed. Protect? What could he possibly want to protect. There was nothing in this world worth protecting. One only had himself. It was enough to manage. The idea of protection, even the word itself was foreign to him. It was something others foolishly did. But not he, this Sesshomaru was no fool.
Sesshomaru opened his eyes slowly, sensing another presence. He recognized that smell, it was the scent of the miko, Kagome. He craned his neck slightly, her person coming into his view. The miko was standing not far from where he was sitting. Obviously, she did not know he was there. She was wearing a traditional kimono, the colors of a cool evening; dark blue, light blue, white, and black. She jewel hung around her neck, glittering against the moonlight, and her dark tresses. She was smiling peacefully, holding the white plum blossoms in her hand, and smelling them. "Peculiar" thought Sesshomaru. He could not help but admit the sight across from him was one of few he had ever seen. She was a beautiful human, if that was even a possibility. To him, they were all ugly creatures. But she seemed to defy the norm. That miko was absolutely not normal in any way. As Sesshomaru observed her, he sensed another presence coming towards her. Another human appeared. He was tall, dark, and a very dertermined look crossed his face. He was staring at the miko in a most odd way. Sesshomaru observed the scene before him...
"Naru..." the miko said, quietly, her eyes filled with confusion.
"You look beautiful."
"You shouldn't be here. This is my garden. I suggest you go back to the dinning hall."
"You left so soon, as if you were a passing breeze. I could not help but follow you."
"You see I am here, and now you can go. Please leave."
"Why won't you look at me?!" Naru said, angrily. Sesshomaru watched as the human named Naru took a step toward the miko.
The miko met his eyes, a clear view of distress in her expression.
"Pleased? Now please, leave. Kikyo is possibly looking for you. I do not want a misunderstanding."
"Kikyo? I care not for her. Every moment I think of you. Those eyes..." Sesshomaru watched as the male took another step toward the miko, his hand lifted her face up to his by her chin.
She pulled away, quickly.
"I had no intent for you to feel for me that way. I think you should go."
Naru did not let her go, but held her face to his. His voice was filled with certainty.
"If there is someone else, let me know."
"There is no one else." The miko said, her voice tinged with fear. Sesshomaru did not know she was capable of fear.
"Then if there is no one else, why do you avoid me? I could have anyone else! No woman would ever refuse me! You will see, Kagome. I will be so powerful; every lord will bow his head down to me. I will be so great; no one will question my authority. I will be so strong, I will have those damn Youkai at my very whim. I will rule, and you will be there right beside me. You think I have not heard of you? The beautiful miko, the guardian of the Shikon no Tama; the girl as beautiful it is inhuman? They say your beauty can match the gods."
The staggered toward the trunk of the tree, her hands still delicately holding the plum blossoms. Her face had turned as white as the blossoms, and her eyes grew larger. She was silent.
"Do not worry, it is not your jewel I am after. You are aware of what I am after. And I always get what I am after."
Sesshomaru watched as the male named Naru took a hold of the miko's hand.
She pulled it away quickly, her cold eyes meeting his. She could freeze hell over with this eyes.
"Go, Naru. Let me be."
He put his hand down and turned away.
"This time, I will. Next time will not be so easy."
Sesshomaru watched the human go. He had seen humans like that before. But this one was different. This human was serious. Sesshomaru smirked. "Fool". His attention turned back to the miko. He watched as she fell to her knees, the blossoms falling into the wind. She reminded him of a broken bird, its wings trying to fly with desperation. But every move, would pain the bird more. He could smell the saltiness of her tears. They almost smelled bitter. Sesshomaru stood up, his eyes closed. He could feel her eyes on him, and he opened his to meet hers. The blue cool autumn and the golden freezing winter met each other.
~*x*x*x*x*x~
Well, that is the end of chapter 8. I love the end of this chapter. More drama to come! Feel free to tell me what you think!
Love, YourDarlingWriter