Chapter 7
A/N: I finally managed to get this chapter done. Like I said in the last chapter, I've been working on a lot of different stories, so I kinda stopped working on this one for a while
Disclaimer: I own none of the InuYasha characters
By now it was time for us to leave, so I thanked the healer greatly for all his help before we left. When we traveled, I was forced to sit on top of the two-headed dragon's back, even though we'd only been traveling for a day or so.
We'd stopped later in the day when Sesshomaru said that it was time to set up camp, since I was still 'recovering', even though I felt fine. Thankfully, we'd stopped by a nearby river area, for which I was very grateful for.
I headed down to the water around sunset, picking herbs that were used in making soap along the way, humming quietly to myself. I reached the river bank and set the herbs beside it, looking, and listening, for any signs that someone was near, watching me.
When I was satisfied, I stripped off my clothes and sighed as the cool autumn air hit my skin. I sat down on the river bank, smiling to myself a bit as I snagged two rocks, placing a handful of the herbs between them before, grinding them into a soapy paste. I splashed into the cool water and scooped up a handful of the soapy paste, leisurely lathering up my body.
Abruptly, a tree crashed downstream of the river I was bathing in. I quickly finished washing my body and my hair, sliding down into the water to rinse the soap off and to grab my dagger from its position in the ankle holster that I never took off.
The large barbarous demon came charging through the trees, spotting me almost immediately. It rushed over to where I was and I leapt out of the water, not caring whether I was naked or not, I was comfortable in just about anything. It quickly ran even closer to where I was and, before I could get away, it snatched me up in one of its giant hands.
I squirmed and wriggled to try and free myself, but only managed to successfully free my hands. I growled deep in my throat, baring my fangs.
"Oho, aren't you a feisty one." The demon said.
I growled again at him, before I bit down one of the giant hands holding me. The demon yelped in pain, dropping me and waving its hand to help ease the pain. I quickly picked up my dagger, which I had dropped to the ground when the demon grabbed me, and leapt towards him.
The demon dodged and grabbed me by the ankle as I leapt by him. "My, my, you are a little, delectable, witch." It said, its grip tightening on my ankle. I winced, but didn't give him the satisfaction or voicing any pain.
"I may be a witch to you, but I can still beat your ass into the ground." I said as I reared up, dragging my dagger across its brown, leathery throat. The demon fell backwards, taking me with it, its blood spattering all over my body, hands, and face.
After hitting the ground, I shoved the demons body away from me with a grunt, blowing damp hair out of my face. I quickly dressed and headed back to the camp, unaware of my appearance. Earlier in the day, we'd met up with the small toad, Jakken.
As I returned to the camp, I rolled the tension out of my shoulders, stopping as the toad came to stand in front of me.
"Rin! What happened?" Jakken squawked.
I blinked down at him. "What do you mean?" I asked.
"You're covered in blood, your kimono is filthy, and the way your hair is disheveled, it looks like you got tossed around like a rag doll!"
He didn't even know the half of it. I sighed, looking down at my hands and kimono. "Hmm, it appears I am. Feh, it's nothing to worry about, and besides, it's not even my blood. I just had a minor scuffle with a demon. I pounded his ass into the ground." I said, shrugging as Sesshomaru appeared with fresh game.
"Jakken fetch wood for a fire." Sesshomaru demanded.
"Yes Milord." The toad said as he scurried away.
"Oh boy, dinner!" I said eyeing the game and rubbing my hands together eagerly.
Sesshomaru dropped the food and walked towards me.
"You need to be more careful, Rin, you're still recovering." Sesshomaru said, placing a clawed finger under my chin, lifting my face up to his.
"Blah, blah, blah, I've managed to take care of myself without your help for most of my life, so don't start lecturing me about how 'I need to be more careful' because I'm still "recovering" I'm not a child, Sesshomaru!" I shouted out, knocking his hand away and breaking the only contact we'd had since we'd left the healers.
Sesshomaru stalked away, his anger at me permeating off of him.
Jakken soon returned with and armful of wood, setting it down in a relatively clear area before lightly in. Sesshomaru picked up a few sticks, impaling the game on the sharp ends before setting them in the ground next to the fire for them to cook before storming off.
I stared into the fire, waiting for the food to cook, my mind racing and centering on one thing after another. I sighed silently, leaning back to look up at the now night sky. I silently wondered to myself if Sesshomaru even recognized that underneath my royal title, I was still just a woman. I guess all he sees in me is that I'm just the heir to the eastern lands. I only wish that he'd see me as a woman and not just a princess that always needs to be coddled and taken care of.
I sighed again, unable to sit still any longer, wandering into the tick thatch of forest. Before I knew it, I was in an area unknown to me. Darn it! I'd gone and gotten myself lost! I wandered around for a while, occasionally getting to the point of pulling my hair out in sheer frustration.
I took a deep breath and calmed myself down, focusing on getting back. I heard the crackle of the fire and smelled the game roasting of the sharp sticks. I made it back slowly, but surely, noticing that Sesshomaru was sitting near the fire.
I inadvertently looked at him out of the corner of my eyes before sitting across from him, the fire between us. I slightly hung my head to hide my flushed face, and snatched up the game as soon as it was finished cooking, eating in silence.
After I finished eating, I lied back on the cold ground, staring up at the stars, making sure that my face was well hidden from Sesshomaru's imprinting gaze, occasionally hear the toad yawn. I suddenly heard Sesshomaru stand and make his way over to where I lay. I quickly shut my eyes and evened out my breathing, even thought my heart was racing, making it seem as if I really was asleep.. I sensed his overbearing presence above me and I could tell that he stood beside me, staring down at my face. As silently as he'd stood, staring down at my face, I felt his presence move towards my right, in the direction of the forest.
I sighed slightly and opened my eyes, sitting up as I did so, dragging a hand thought my ebony locks. I smiled grimly as I looked over towards where the toad lay, sound asleep. I shook my head; he was sound asleep while I was up and about, unable to sleep. I glanced at the forest, deciding that a walk would probably help.
I was only a few feet into the forest when I heard the sudden snap of a branch underfoot only a few feet to my left.
Fearing and preparing myself for the worst, I hid in the shadows, holding my breath and making little to no noise. Sesshomaru casually stepped from the shadowy trees, looking directly at when I was hidden. I swore inside my mind at the realization that he could probably smell me.
I casually stepped out from the shadows, staring at him with calm cool eyes.
"What are you doing here, Rin?" He asked his eyes like to liquid pools of honey.
A/N: Cliff Hanger!! Oh I feel so evil. xD Review please. I already have the next three chapters written up! If I don't get at least 3 new reviews, I won't type them up!