Hello my dears! Thank you for the reviews. Well, Merry Christmas! And this is my gift for all of you, an extra chapter of "Hunted" Enjoy!
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Warning: As usual, Inuyasha has a potty mouth.
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Disclaimer: I own absoulety nothing to do with Inuyasha…or Sesshomaru…sniffles
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Chapter Seven
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"What shall we do for lunch?" Sango asked.
"Hm, I'm not sure what there is," Kagome answered.
Kagome stood up and walked into the kitchen, Sango behind her.
"Hm, Kagome mused, looking into the refrigerator.
Kagome had never really had opportunity to cook, since her mother had always taken care of it. Now there were six people to keep fed, two of them children. Kagome had Sango to help her but Kagome marveled at how much time and energy went into maintaining a home and keeping its occupants comfortable.
"Oyako Donburi?" Kagome suggested, after taking stock of what was in the fridge.
"That sounds good," Sango said. "Shall we also have some Kyuri no Sumomi?"
"Yes," Kagome agreed. "Will you make the rice?"
"Sure."
The two girls chatted as they prepared lunch, only occasionally getting in each others' way as they moved about in the small kitchen.
In due time, Kagome heard the front door open and close and the sound of childish chatter filled the room. Kagome smiled as she glanced at the clock. 12:30 exactly; right on schedule of course.
Rin had asked to go to the library and Sesshomaru had agreed to take her, even taking Shippo along as well. He maintained that stiff "I-don't-care-about-anything-or-care-particularly-for-anyone" façade but Kagome was beginning to see through this front. After all, he gave in to the requests of two children.
"Kagome?" Shippo asked, poking his head into the kitchen. "Are we gonna eat?"
"Yes, Shippo. Why don't you and Rin set the table?"
"Okay! Rin!" he called.
"Yes, Shippo!"
"Come help me, please!"
As Rin ran in and as she and Shippo began to set the table, Kagome had to smile. So cute. Kagome and Sango set lunch on the table and everyone sat down.
Shippo looked around before asking, "Where's Inuyasha?"
Sango rolled her eyes before yelling, "Inuyasha! Get out here so we can eat!"
"Feh!" came his voice. "I'm coming!"
Inuyasha came walking towards them before tripping spectacularly over a toy one of the kids had left lying on the dinning room floor.
"Shit!" he yelled, picking himself up. "Can't those damn kids keep their fucking toys picked the fuck up?! I'm fucking tired-"
Sesshomaru stood, a low growl escaping him, as he prepared to shut Inuyasha's potty mouth. However, Kagome was too quick for him. She was already on her feet, eyes narrowed with anger.
"Sit!"
Inuyasha met floor, his cursing muffled. Kagome's eyes narrowed further at this lack of repentance on his choice of language.
"Watch your language around the kids! Sit! Sit! Sit!"
Sesshomaru smirked and glanced with appreciation at her. Kagome felt a faint flush creep up her neck but surpassed it as she smiled conspiratorially with him.
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Later, as Sesshomaru and Kagome were alone in the living room, Sesshomaru asked Kagome about Inuyasha.
"What causes him to 'sit'?" he asked.
Kagome looked at him with curiosity. However, he only looked slightly curious as well as something else she couldn't identify, not in any way malicious or disapproving.
"Apparently my father saved his life and he then commissioned Inuyasha to help me. The necklace ensures that he cannot hurt me."
Sesshomaru nodded. Kagome hesitated a moment before asking, "Do you guys hate each other?"
Sesshomaru's face went completely blank.
"I'm sorry," Kagome said softly. "It's none of my business. Never mind."
They were silent, looking at one another before Kagome gave a small sigh. Why did this feel so awkward? Perhaps she had no right asking more about him but …but she did want to know more. But he obviously didn't wish to share that with her.
"Goodnight," Kagome said, turning and slowly walking away.
Then, to her surprise, she heard his voice faintly come to her ears, "goodnight.
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"Hello, Kaede. Miroku. Come on in."
As everyone settled themselves in the living room, Kagome herded the kids into her room to play. She returned to the living room and hesitated. Kaede sat center in the arm chair. Inuyasha sat, with arms crossed, on the window sill. Miroku and Sango sat on one of the (small) couches. Kagome was amused to see Miroku looking nervous and fidgety. Sango was pink. Sesshomaru sat on the other couch. After another moments hesitation, Kagome went and sat next to Sesshomaru, who scooted over slightly to give her room.
Kaede spoke for while but when she stopped, Kagome, who had been growing increasingly impatient, spoke up.
"But what's going to happen now? I'm tired of waiting. I want to do something." Kagome put her hands over her mouth. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound so impatient…but I hate feeling so helpless."
"That's all right, child," Kaede said gently. "But we cannot act unless we know where Kikyo and Naraku are. Rallying our forces against their followers is dangerous because it discloses our power and numbers. It would give them an advantage that wecannot afford. We must wait."
Kagome nodded wearily. She was luckier than most in this time but…to be a fugitive. To hide for being what she was…
Sango cleared her throat, "I know it's been awhile since I was in Kikyo and Naraku's employ…and I was never privy to any private information, but I do know that they were located in the north territory."
"Thank you, child. Any information is helpful and we will then concentrate our efforts there. There is one other thing of importance to discuss. There have long been rumors of a sacred jewel of enormous power. I have now very strong reason to believe that it indeed exists and, is in fact, in the possession of Kikyo, whom I believe is using it for her dark magic and to aid in maintaining her immortality. The jewel's power is extreme and when it is used for evil, it becomes tainted itself and harnesses and draws evil to it."
"What is the jewel exactly?" Sango asked. "I have heard the legend of this jewel but…"
"The jewel," Kaede explained. "Is said to be the soul of a powerful priestess who lived many centuries ago. She battled a great evil but was so gravely injured that she could not complete this battle. She then encompassed herself and this evil within the jewel. This battle is said to still be waging within the jewel. When the jewel is used for good, the priestess gains strength and comes closer to winning. When the jewel is used for evil…the priestess begins to lose ground."
"But once it's been tainted," Kagome asked with a slight frown of concentration. "Is it permanent?"
Kaede shook her head. "No. But to purify the jewel is not an easy process. Someone, a miko, very powerful and pure would be needed and even then it is a difficult thing."
"Couldn't the jewel simply be destroyed?" Sango asked.
Kaede shook her head. "No. In its tainted state, and while it is being used for evil, the jewel only grows more powerful and resistant to those who attempt to purify or destroy it. It is said that the only way to destroy the jewel is to help the priestess win her fight; meaning the jewel must be used for great good if it is to be destroyed."
There was a silence, then Kagome began to feel a faint suspicion and then felt as though a light bulb was going on above her head. She didn't want to draw attention to it but she shot Kaede a look, which the older woman ignored.
Kagome mused to herself. A very powerful miko. A very powerful miko…
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Kagome put the pan on the stove to heat while she pulled several vegetables from the fridge and began to clean and slice them. She felt rather than heard someone appear at the doorway and looked up. Sesshomaru stood there, dressed in a pair of black slacks and a white dress shirt, his arms folded.
"Hi," Kagome said.
He nodded in greeting.
After a silence, Kagome asked, "Can I get you something?"
He shook his head.
"Okay." Kagome piled vegetables in the pan before glancing at him. She looked away as she asked, "Do you mind keeping me company?"
He shook his head and seemed to hesitate before glancing at her, slight question in his eyes. Kagome interpreted this question, then shook her head slightly. "No, its okay. Have a seat."
Kagome was appreciative that he would offer to help. It was sweet of him. However, to her surprise, he didn't sit down but took down plates, silverware, and cups and set the table. He sat down when he had finished and then raised an eyebrow, seeing Kagome looking at him. Kagome smiled and the eyebrow lowered.
"Thank you," Kagome said.
He looked at her for a moment with an odd look on his face, then the look left. "You're welcome."
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Kagome looked up from her book for the umpteenth time as one of the kids, Shippo this time, ran by. Kagome sighed quietly. The kids were obviously hyper.
Sesshomaru peered at Kagome from the corner of his eye while pretending to still be reading his own book. Though he was loath to admit, to himself and certainly to anyone else, he hadn't gotten anywhere with his book in the past half hour; he didn't get more than a sentence in and it went right through him. He felt disconcerted by his amount of distraction, usually he was able to focus on any task without any difficulty, despite what was going on around him. He had a feeling that it was Kagome's presence causing this but he couldn't say why. He'd find his gaze and mind wandering and he'd then snap himself back with a certain degree of annoyance. What was wrong with him? And why would Kagome prove a distraction to him? More likely he was attempting to explain his state of mind by grasping upon the most feasible explanation, no matter if it was true.
"Sesshomaru?"
He turned to look at her.
"I think the kids need to get out for awhile." Kagome hesitated. "Do you want to come?"
Sesshomaru was silent for a time and Kagome eventually stood, thinking that was a no.
"Yes."
Kagome turned to smile at him. "Okay."
Sesshomaru felt his stomach do something funny at the look in Kagome's eyes-. She was so…beautiful.
Sesshomaru frowned. Where had that thought come from? He'd never thought that way about any female. Sesshomaru pushed the unwanted thought away and searched for his shoes instead.
Shippo, Rin, Sesshomaru, and Kagome set out for the park, the kids dragging the adults behind them. Kagome was surprised that Sesshomaru didn't seem to at all object to Rin grabbing his hand and pulling him.
As soon as they reached the park the kids ran off to play while the adults settled themselves on a bench. They sat in silence for a time, just watching Rin and Shippo.
"Are you and Rin doing okay sleeping in the living room?" Kagome asked.
"Yes."
Another silence.
"Is there anything you'd like to keep you occupied?"
"No."
More silence. Kagome felt a little hurt, but she couldn't say why. She picked at the fabric of her pants then shot a glance at Sesshomaru.
"Do you dislike me?" Kagome asked softly.
Sesshomaru's eyes darted toward her. "What?"
"Do you dislike me?" She glanced at him then looked away again.
'She thinks I dislike her?' Sesshomaru wondered. 'Why would she think that?'
"Its just that you seem annoyed when I talk to you and don't answer me," Kagome continued quietly.
Sesshomaru felt bad…Why did he feel so bad? Rin was the only one whom he bothered to concern himself over, regarding feelings. He heard Kagome sigh. Sesshomaru shot a glance at her. Kagome didn't seem the type to manipulate a situation…so she must truly feel hurt. For some reason…for some reason, hurting Kagome…bothered him. Why, he couldn't say. But it did nevertheless.
"It was not my intention to make you feel that way," Sesshomaru said rather stiffly. "I'm simply not a demonstrative person but I don't dislike you."
He chanced a glance at her and saw she was smiling.
"Besides," Sesshomaru continued without a shred of emotion. "I am in your debt."
A second glance at Kagome revealed that she was frowning. "I don't want repayment! I did what I did because it was the right thing and I wanted to! I don't expect or want anything from you! I did not and do not have an ulterior motive. If this so called debt is the only reason you're civil to me, then you can just stop!"
Sesshomaru felt something close around his heart at the sight of the tears running down her face. He'd made her cry…He rewound their conversation…and cringed. Damn he was an ass wasn't he?
"My apologies. I didn't mean to imply anything. I only meant that I am grateful for your actions and want to make it up to you, that's all."
He was apologizing to her and Kagome felt uncomfortable. She had the feeling he was not one to drop apologies easily.
"That's okay."
Sesshomaru glanced at her face and the drying tears. She had just accepted his apology. No bitterness or attempts to get him to change…
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"Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha turned his head away from the window to look at Kagome.
"What."
"Are you unhappy?"
"Huh?"
"Are you unhappy?"
"Feh."
Kagome stepped closer to a confused and falsely indifferent Inuyasha. And she lifted the necklace from around his neck. Inuyasha looked shocked and very confused.
"Why?"
Kagome looked away. "I want you to have the chance to be free."
Inuyasha closed her in a hug. Kagome shifted her weight uncomfortably.
"Thank you, Kikyo."
Kagome pushed herself out of Inuyasha's embrace, anger suddenly rising up within her. "I'm not Kikyo!"
Inuyasha's face looked embarrassed, then angry. "Damn right ur not! I'll always love her. She's twice the person you'll ever be!"
Kagome fought sudden tears. How could Inuyasha be so hurtful? She heard someone enter the living room and looked up. Sesshomaru. Inuyasha looked as well and sneered before leaving the room. Kagome looked at her feet before chancing a glance at Sesshomaru. He looked almost…concerned?
"Why did you remove that?"
Kagome sighed. "Maybe it was a mistake but I wanted him to have the chance to be free. A partial freedom is not freedom at all."
Kagome chanced another glance at Sesshomaru. He came forward until they were only a few feet away. Kagome looked at him, confused.
"That was honorable of you. Even though I am not certain he deserved it."
"I'm not sure either. But still..." Kagome wiped at the tears that refused to cease flowing. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Sesshomaru said. "He shouldn't have said that."
"Thank you."
Later that night, Kagome lay awake hearing only Sango's soft breathing and Shippo's little snores. She sometimes found Sesshomaru's close-mouthed ways aggravating but…but she had felt so appreciative of his simple comfort. And though his words had been spoken without inflection or gesture, she knew how he had demonstrated concern and care. For her…Kagome smiled and rolled over. Soon she was asleep.
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Whelps, that's it for chapter seven. Hope you enjoyed it and don't forget to review!
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Author Notes:
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Oyako Donburi: This is translated as Chicken-'n-Egg on Rice. An interesting thing, the literal translation actually means "parent and child", which refers to the way the chicken is cooked with and "embraced" by the egg. Donburi refers to rice w/ a variation of ingredients served over it. Usually its served in deep bowls and they are very popular for lunch, snacks, or something to go. A kind of Japanese fast-food if you will.
Kyuri no Sumomi: This is vinegered cucumber. Its in the category of Sunomono which is literally "vinegard things". This is a kind of "salad" and is served in small proportions and is made to complement the main dish in taste, color, and texture.