Inuyasha©Rumiko Takahashi

Scientific Method

82

The walk was strange. It wasn't that Sesshomaru was doing anything out of the ordinary, he was actually very himself all silent and all, but it just felt awkward to be walking with him through the empty streets. It was a little ridiculous even since she traveled with him for almost a month back in the Feudal Era and she was all alone with him then. She should be accustomed to this by now, to his silent walk, to his regal ways.

However…his ways now made her feel as if there was a huge barrier between them. Back then she didn't feel like this. She had no fear of his sword or claws because…he needed her back then. He wanted the knowledge she possessed and had promised to protect her.

There were no such promises between them now.

They were simply strangers brought together by an odd twist of destiny.

Strangers?

Kagome sighed pitifully and this attracted the Taiyoukai's attention. Soon enough their eyes met and it was Kagome who shied away first, "Thanks for walking me home, Sesshomaru-sama."

Sesshomaru looked at her for a long moment before nodding and walking up a steep street, "There's no reason for you to call me Sesshomaru-sama," he added after a few moments.

The young girl frowned, "Well, you may not be a Lord per se at this moment, but having such a big household is almost the same. The Hojo household doesn't compare to our small Shrine."

Sesshomaru kept silent for long minutes and Kagome dutifully followed until he stopped across her home. Kagome turned to him with a puzzled expression, "Is there something wrong?" she asked softly, her brown eyes glancing around them.

"The Hojo Household is Inuyasha's," the Taiyoukai said evenly but there was a deep resignation beneath the uncaring façade, "He's the alpha now."

Kagome sighed; unsure about how to deal with this but knowing she wanted to help in any way she could. The roles of inuyoukai were so complicated… or well, perhaps not so much since it resembled the human system in a way. It was just the knowledge that Sesshomaru was stronger, should be alpha…but was not. He lost who he was when he got injured when protecting them. It was so sad. He seemed to not regret what he did…but sometimes she felt like he was lying. He was only holding onto his true emotions with a tight leash.

Maybe he did blame then…and why shouldn't he?

"Sesshomaru…" she began, but then an invasive presence made itself known and she turned to the side with a startled gasp. "Who are you?"

A gust of wind surged forth strong enough to be noticeable, and it made Kagome's raven tresses fly behind her. However, she kept her ground and locked her dark eyes on the demoness before her. The woman was short with mid-waist long green hair. Her eyes were a perfect match of her hair and her countenance and aura seemed very healthy…which was strange.

The female tilted her head a little to the side and then her shoulders slumped, "You are the miko," she said simply and pursed her lips, "Give me the Shikon shards."

Kagome's eyes widened and her lips parted slightly. It has been a year since someone had approached her with such an intention and the familiar fear of failing her mission, the same as always, made her heart skip a beat. "I will never give the shard away, much less to a demon."

The woman looked up with a blank stare, "I am hanyou…" she explained softly and held her hand to Kagome and gave a step closer, "I need it miko. I will use force if necessary."

Kagome clenched her teeth and pressed her feet firmly over the concrete from the sidewalk, "Bring it on!"

The hanyou's green eyes moved to the side and she shivered visibly, "I really don't want to fight." After saying that the female fidgeted with indecision until she finally caught hold of her thoughts and dashed against Kagome.

Kagome let out a battle cry, fully prepared for the impact but before it came Sesshomaru moved in front of her, his speed no match for hers, and pushed the hanyou unceremoniously to the side.

The hanyou fell on her feet clumsily and then lost her balance and fell to the floor. Her wide green eyes stared up at Sesshomaru and she began to move away as soon as he started for her, "Stay away! Stay away!"

Sesshomaru paid her words no heed, "Leave…or I shall kill you."

Tears fell down the hanyou's cheeks and she shook her head in panic, "Don't…don't challenge him any longer…please or he'll come."

Sesshomaru had no time to ponder this information for a moment later another being, this one undoubtedly full youkai and at the brink of insanity, pounced on him.

To be continued…

Thanks for the reviews! Long chapter this one turned out to be :3