Chapter 4: Jokers Wild
Kagome stood there as red as a tomato, she couldn't move, couldn't speak. It was like everything about her was frozen like ice. All she could do is stand there and hope and pray that she didn't get killed on the spot for intruding… even though her actions were merely innocent.
The figure before her was, yes, whom she was looking for all this time… but she didn't think she'd run into him like this. 'Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!' was all that was running through her head.
Kagome's eyes wandered on their own accord as they looked all over a bare backed Sesshoumaru 'he's… he's… he's NAKED!' she screamed in her mind and turned even redder. 'Yup I'm totally dead…'
The being before her looked over his shoulder and said voice low and cold "Miko do you not see this Sesshoumaru is bathing? Leave at once." He demanded coolly.
Kagome still stood where she was not believing that she was still alive right now. 'Better count my blessings and leave Kags. This is probably your only shot.' She thought with haste but her body still wouldn't move.
Noticing that she has not left as ordered Sesshoumaru turned to face her eyes narrowed and glaring deadly at her. "Miko you are to leave this area or you will suffer greatly." His words sounded sincere. Though Kagome couldn't recall anytime when he didn't back up his threats.
If she could be any more red she would. She was a girl and as such loved to gaze upon bodies of good looking men. And Sesshoumaru was by far the most… Kagome's eyes shot wide once again at her thoughts. 'C'mon Kagome get a grip of yourself this is Sesshoumaru, Lord Stick up the ass I hate humans.' She mentally slapped herself.
But she couldn't help but to gaze upon his water beaded chest… Sesshoumaru could feel the changes in her aura shift from nervousness, to fear, to comfort and dare he say it… arousal? A human? Desiring his body? He internally cringed at the thought.
Kagome gulped and breathed in deeply to speak. 'Here goes…' "Sesshoumaru- sama I need to talk to you about something." Narrowing his eyes even more if possible he pondered her request for a moment as he examined her. 'The miko is usually with the whelp when traveling… so she is obviously alone… hm.' "Where is the half breed?"
Kagome looked at his muscular chest for a moment more before shifting her gaze to his face noticing that he was waiting for an answer. "Oh, uhh, I left him…" She looked to the ground. "He obviously doesn't want anything to do with me so I set out on my own… though I wasn't planning on heading out so unprepared… It was a… sudden leave." She finished giggling nervously, finding control of her limbs again. 'Guess I was more scared than I thought.' She mused as she kicked at the grass sheepishly.
Sesshoumaru watched her as she effortlessly assaulted the grass with her dainty bare foot. 'Just as I thought…hm… so she is alone…'
An uncomfortable silence fell between the two and Kagome started to shift back and forth on her feet unable to stand the quietness. 'C'mon Sesshoumaru say something already.' She hopefully cheered.
His stare was making her uncomfortable and the silence wasn't helping either. "Leave to the clearing just outside the tree line and this Sesshoumaru will be there in a moment." Came his emotionless monotone.
Kagome looked up at him stunned for a moment but quickly headed off to the clearing. 'Better go while I have the chance… and before he changes his mind.' She thought dryly.
Sesshoumaru internally sighed; he knew the little miko was making a bee line for the hot spring. He could feel her holy powers a ways back, so he knew the act was innocent. Though, he did ponder on killing her when she intruded like she did.
Stepping out of the spring, Sesshoumaru's warm aura drying off his skin instantly, he began to clothe himself thinking of the miko while he did so. He wondered what she could want. Surely to ask for something of him since she was now traveling alone.
Straightening his haori he decided that was why she has seeked him out. To request something of him, 'Foolish human, you dare seek out this Sesshoumaru for a favor…' he thought in a cold manner placing on his armor.
High up in a tree sharp ocean blue eyes gazed upon the demon lord as he dressed himself. She smirked; he was as cold as they came. He would defiantly be fun to toy with. Turning transparent her long curvy body floated down like a feather and ever so lightly she landed behind the young lord, following in his footsteps as he headed towards the miko.
Sesshoumaru stopped only for a second to look over his shoulder "Hn…" was all he said and kept on his way.
Kagome looked at where she had just come from and saw Sesshoumaru heading in her direction. Sighing she stood up straight and squared her shoulders ready to face the lord. Sesshoumaru stopped about three feet in front of her before he spoke.
"You seek something of this Sesshoumaru." He stated more than asked
Kagome looked at him feeling her confidence start to wither away 'awwe why does he have to look at me like he wants me to melt into a puddle…' she mentally groaned. "Yes Sesshoumaru I- "
"I am your superior you will address this Sesshoumaru as Lord or Sesshoumaru- sama." He corrected.
Kagome huffed and slightly glared at him "You don't have to be so arrogant you know. I came here to ask you a favor." She spat
"You will get no favors from anyone acting like that" he said smugly, smirking as her anger spiked.
"You JERK!" she shouted and stepped closer to him.
Sesshoumaru took a step back from her narrowing his eyes "Before you try to come any closer miko, I would suggest that bathe." He shot at her and Kagome only flushed from her anger and stepped directly in front of him and poked at his chest ready to give him a piece of her mind.
The woman behind Sesshoumaru could only shake her head, taking a ghostly hand she reached inside of Sesshoumaru's chest from the back and ran her finger lightly along the side of his heart.
"Show some compassion Sesshoumaru. She's been traveling for a long time now." She softly spoke. Though neither Sesshoumaru nor Kagome would hear her, she still felt the need to speak.
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened a fraction at the sudden warmth in his chest. Looking down at the miko that was shouting at him he grabbed the offending appendage still staring at her intensely.
Kagome looked up at Sesshoumaru with an angered face but her anger faded into wonder and worry… "Sess-" "Bathe miko and I shall wait here to hear your reasons for seeking me out." his voice had a hard softness to it. But sounded sincere so Kagome only raised an eyebrow snatching her finger away from his grip and walked off to the spring mumbling to herself about arrogant dogs and their mood swings.
The woman smiled and dissipated leaving a light mist of pinkish red behind. Sesshoumaru caught the scent of roses and cherries again and turned swiftly to see where the being who owned such a smell was located. 'That scent... was right here…' "In this exact spot… Hn…"
He then looked down and pulled the front of his haori out to examine his chest, only to see flawless skin. 'The warmth was there… I felt it. Like hot air was on it…' he thought curiously.
Straightening his haori he went and sat by a tree to wait for the miko.
Sinking into the hot water, Kagome heaved a happy sigh and sank all the way under. 'This feels soooo nice.' She thought feeling in total bliss. Resurfacing she made a face 'what a time to run off without your backpack Kagome, ugh!' she scolded herself.
Running her hand along her arm in attempt to get it clean she looked along the edge of the hot spring and saw that Sesshoumaru had left his bathing oils. 'SCORE!' she cheered smiling big as the grabbed the little vile and poured some of its contents into her hand.
Sighing happily she started so scrub her body, getting rid of the dirt and sweat of the day. 'Figures it has no smell to it…' she thought dryly dunking in the water. 'I wouldn't expect anything less from Sesshoumaru.' She giggled a little thinking about Sesshoumaru walking around smelling like roses and honey because he used a scented bath oil.
Rolling her eyes at the thought she grabbed the other vile and poured that into her palm as well. This one had a little scent to it but not too strong. It was a very light scent. 'Smells like dove' she thought with amusement as she started to scrub her hair with care.
Dunking under the water once again she resurfaced and rested in the water for a minute or so before stepping out. Standing in her naked glory, Kagome just realized she had nothing clean to put on.
Wrapping her arms around her torso in an attempt to cover her body, Kagome stood there shivering as the cool breeze gently caressed her skin slowly drying her. 'Great Kagome now what are you gonna do? Put the same dirty smelly clothes you just had on to get clean?' she groaned to herself.
"Now what?" she mused to herself out loud. Looking back at the spring and to where Sesshoumaru is waiting she contemplated for a second… 1. She could hop back into the spring and call for the Demon lord, or 2. She could hide behind a tree and ask him if he could find her something to wear.
She sighed, neither sounded like something she wanted to do, but she felt that she had no choice.
Back in Edo Sango waited a few feet outside the hut tapping her foot impatiently. 'Wait till I get my hands on you Inuyasha.' She ranted in her head. Pursing her lips together in anger, she narrowed her eyes as a little spot of red became visible from the tree line.
Walking towards the hut as if nothing had happened Inuyasha stopped about 100 feet from the hut feeling A LOT of tension and anger floating in the air. 'That's not good…' he thought, and continued forward.
Eye's turning into a glare Sango took a stance and prepared her hiraikotsu. Waiting just a moment longer she swung her weapon at the hanyou with all she had. "HIRAIKOTSU!" she shouted at the top of her lungs.
Inuyasha hearing the shout turned to look behind him to see if there was danger, but found nothing. Looking back at where he heard Sango his eyes shot wide and quickly dodged the weapons attack.
"Sango! What the hell?" he shouted.
"You've got some nerve Inuyasha! Doing what you did to Kagome AGAIN!" she shot running towards him swinging her hiraikotsu wildly at him. Jumping from left to right Inuyasha tried to register what was going on. Mistaking her swing he took a blow in the side making him fly a few feet away crashing to the ground.
"I can't believe you would go to her after asking Kagome to be your mate! You disgraceful, untrusting, bastard!" she yelled at the hanyou slamming the end of her weapon between the junction of his legs.
Audibly gulping Inuyasha looked into the pissed off face of Sango. "S-Sango I didn't do anything to Kagome… I-I just c-changed my mind." He stammered out. Sango's eyes only grew darker.
"Changed your mind?" her voice was deep and dark. Feeling her anger rise he scooted away a couple inches, but was quickly stopped when she drew her sword and stick it through the fabric of his hakamas.
"Where do you think your scooting off too?" she said still looking at him like a piece of dead meat. "Sango please, it's already over. I've mated Kikyo and there's nothing anyone cane do about it now. It's too late." He said with anger in his eyes.
"Kagome will forgive me she always does." "Don't give me that you poor excuse of a K-9! Kagome's been gone for weeks now, don't you think if she found forgiveness in her heart that she'd be back!" she shouted tears starting to form in her eyes.
Inuyasha could only look to the ground. She had a point; Kagome always forgave him in a day or two... It's been weeks now and even with their searching the came out with nothing.
'Kagome… I'm sorry' he thought and bowed his head feeling totally guilty. A calmness taking over her, she breathed in deeply. Looking at the hanyou she made a shameful face at him.
Grabbing her sword and seethed it, then held out her hand. Opening his eyes Inuyasha looked at her hand then looked at her face. He could see the hurt in her eyes, and very little evidence showed on her face.
He knew she missed Kagome, and was only taking her anger out on the rightful being. He knew he deserved it too. 'I have to find her… I must find Kagome.' He thought as he grabbed Sango's hand and pulled himself up.
Smiling weakly Sango opened her mouth to speak, "Inuy-" "Sango don't. I know why you did what you did." He cut her off then turned and started towards the woods again. "Where are you going?" she shouted at his retreating form.
"To find Kagome" he shouted back then ran off, disappearing into the trees.
Growing impatient waiting for the miko, Sesshoumaru gracefully stood and started towards the hot spring.
"Ughrrr… what am I gonna do… I can't put those smelly things back on." She mused to herself out loud. "But I defiantly can't walk around naked either, errrr." Kagome became discouraged, but stopped in her tracks of mumbling to herself when she heard a noise coming her way.
Eyes going wide she had to think quickly. Bouncing back and forth on her feet she was trying to think of what to do. 'Oh my GOD! Somebody's coming and I'm standing in my birthday suit!' she thought frantically.
Just as the noise hit to where she was, Kagome jumped into the hot spring with a big splash.
Sesshoumaru walked were the spring was and saw water splashed outside the little rocky wall that surrounded the hot spring. Shifting his gaze towards the middle of the water he saw a head slowly surface to the top.
Raising her head out of the water Kagome let out a breath of relief when she saw that it was only Sesshoumaru. "Phew, it's only you." she sighed happily then just looked at him.
Sesshoumaru only raised his eyebrow at the strange miko. She was an odd onna that was for sure. "Miko, this Sesshoumaru has things to attend to. Why are you wasting time?" he stated and then demanded an explanation.
Kagome huffed crossing her arms over her chest making her bust line appear bigger, the action not going unnoticed by the taiyoukai. "Well for your information mister stiffy, I'm quite finished with my bath. I just don't have anything clean to put on." She said as a matter of factly.
Looking at her boredly he looked at the clothing on the ground, if he was one to show his disgust outwardly, he would've scrunched his nose. The clothing did smell of sweat and dirt.
She must've fallen into mud puddles and didn't bother to clean up, instead just going on with her business, sweating like a dog as the sun cooked her skin. With that thought he wouldn't even tell her to wash the ragged things in the spring, to even try to clean them. No, they were just too worn. In all honesty he was starting to wonder how much of a klutz the miko truly was.
"Helloooo, Sesshoumaru?" she said trying to grab his attention. Looking from the clothes to the miko, Sesshoumaru internally sighed. He had one of three options at this point. The first option is that he could leave and forget what the miko wanted to talk to him about. The second option was that he could go to a near by village and grab her a komono to wear. The last option he didn't even want to think about.
Deciding that she was not going to get out of the spring unless she had something to wear, Kagome stayed in the water and looked at him. 'What is he gonna do just look at me… I mean c'mon I'm naked for peak sakes.' With that thought Kagome blushed remembering that she was nude and subconsciously sunk into the water.
Sesshoumaru noticed her blush as she sunk in the water; he could only smirk arrogantly. "Do not flatter yourself miko, this Sesshoumaru has no interest in gazing upon your body. Nor would I have any desire too." He said in a bored tone internally smirking when he heard her huff with anger. Decision made he removed his outer robe and tossed it to her, not wanting to waist any more time.
"As if I was thinking that. It was getting cold." She shot at him lying through her teeth. Sesshoumaru of course knew but let it slide. Kagome waded to the side and reached out for the robe, careful to keep her top half covered as she stretched out. Grabbing it she pulled it to her then looked at Sesshoumaru, he only raised his brow.
"uhhh… Do you mind turning around or leaving so I can get out?" she said with a smile. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at her, who dose she think she is telling him to leave, and after he'd given her his outer robe to cover herself. "Hm.." was his response as he turned and started to walk back to the clearing.
Kagome watched to make sure he was gone before getting out of the hot spring. Pulling the robe around her tiny body, she stuck her arms through the sleeves and tied the obi around her waist to keep everything in place. Making sure she looked somewhat decent she walked to where Sesshoumaru had gone, not bothering to take the clothes with her.
Looking down at herself she had to smile a little. His robe did look good on her, though the sleeves were a bit too long it fitted her nicely, least she thought so.
'They're too much of a mess to do anything with. I'll just let them sit there.' She thought dismissively. Walking into the clearing she saw Sesshoumaru sitting of the ground, resting against a tree.
Walking up to him slowly, she sat in front of him a couple feet away. Sesshoumaru shifted his eyes to look at her. He let them travel all the way down to her crossed legs. He had to admit, but only to himself, she did wear his robe quite well… for a human that is.
It hugged her top half slightly tight, cleavage showing ever so slightly atop the V line where the fabrics over lapped one another. Her tiny waist line was very pronounced with the obi tied tightly around it to keep anything from slipping out of place while she wore the oversized garb.
"Sesshoumaru I-" "Sesshoumaru- sama girl" he cut her off as he was brought out of his musings. Kagome took in a breath to keep her nerves from getting shot. "Sesshoumaru- sama, as you know I am traveling alone." She stopped to make sure he was listening. Her only indication was that he raised an eyebrow.
"I'm asking if I could join you on your travels or at least ask that I have some supplies so I can venture on my own." She said quickly to get it over with.
Sesshoumaru only looked boredly at her, already knowing that she was going to ask such a question. He stared at her a bit more before speaking. "This Sesshoumaru shall take you to his palace, by then I will contemplate your fate." With that said he rose and began to leave, leaving a stunned Kagome where she sat.
Kagome sat there in shock, she didn't know if what he said was real or not. 'I need to be pinched… did he just say he'd consider the offer, after he takes me to his palace?' Kagome was so engrossed in her thoughts; she failed to see that Sesshoumaru had gotten up to leave.
Looking over his shoulder at the still form of the miko he spoke again. "Miko are you coming?" Hearing his words brought her back to reality, shaking her head she smiled and stood.
Dusting off his robe, she followed behind the demon lord with a slight smile 'maybe he ain't so bad after all.' She thought looking at his broad back as she walked a little faster to keep pace with his long strides.