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ABC Thought

CHAPTER 12

1 hour ago.

Sunday morning.

Sogo family's mansion.

"Okay, I'm going now."

I picked up my backpack and stepped outside.

"Be careful, dear. Remember to take care of yourself, alright?"

Worried about my journey, mom gave me one last hug.

"You're done that fast? Didn't you say that you have to study a lot for the tests next week?"

Confused by how short my home-staying was, Megumi raised an eyebrow.

"Well no…I intend to return in 2 or 3 days to continue with it actually..."

Then we heard Shinobu's call that we had a visitor.

I wondered who that was, if it's either Hana or Kasumi they would give me a call first before coming.

"This man claimed to study under the same school as you. He called himself Miyamoto Tatsuya."

After hearing Shinobu's explanation, my head tilt. Miyamoto? Huh? Nope. Never heard of him.

While Megumi looked like she's in deep thoughts. Miyamoto? Why does that sound so familiar?

"Come on Shiomi, let's go meet this guy!"

Before I could decide what to do next, Megumi had dragged me toward to the door.

There, standing in front of us was a short black haired guy with a couple of brown eye, around 1.75 meters tall (5'7" or 5'8" feet) He wore a white T-shirt and blue jeans with blue sport shoes.

"Good morning, Sogo-san."

He greeted me politely and I pointed at him, gradually remembered his face. "Miyamoto-kun?"

Miyamoto Tatsuya, who was going the same school as me, was also a 11th grader and studied in the different class from mine. This guy was known, or rumored to be popular among the students. All thanks for being smart and good looking. (For girls mostly, not sure about the dudes)

Despite having studied under the same roof for more than a year, the two of us barely met or talked. So you could say that we really didn't know about each other.

Weird, I wonder what makes him visit me so suddenly.

"Hey! Could it be that you are that Miyamoto?!"

Then Megumi chimed in.

"Miyamoto family is well-known in the Electronic equipment business. Miyamoto Akito, who is the CEO of their established companies, has two sons."

She went on listing every single information about the Miyamoto family that she had collected from god knew where. While I was just standing there staring at her and trying hard to catch up.

Therefore the oldest son was Miyamoto Masato who would be the heir of the Miyamoto family's business in the future, currently was 20 years old and studying in business major at the Tokyo University, which was the same school as Megumi's. What a coincident.

Great, is there anything else about their family that she doesn't know of?

"And then his youngest son is…"

Megumi finished her explanation by a tap on the guy's shoulder and he slightly bowed to us.

"Miyamoto Tatsuya. And yes, just like she said. Akito is my father and Masato is my older brother."

Only waiting for his answer, my sister snapped her fingers.

"I knew it! Your face reminds me of Masato when I first see you!"

Meanwhile I was lost even deeper within their conversation and Megumi hit my arm for being a newbie at social interaction.

"Aren't you two going under the same school?! How come you know nothing about him?!"

Avoiding Miyamoto's curious gaze, I lowered my head in embarrassment. "Well…I.."

(Apparently aside from her friends, Shiomi rarely paid attention to other people around her)

"Oh that's alright. Beside I wouldn't want my background make things uncomfortable between us."

He smiled to ease the awkwardness.

"Aww you!"

And Megumi squealed, not forgetting to pat Tatsuya at the back that almost broke his lungs.

"Uh…okay. By the way, why are you here today, Miyamoto-kun?"

Hearing me ask, Tatsuya told us the news about me catching a serious flu. Though no one was allowed to come earlier and had to wait until I was completely cured.

Or back from the journey, nice one. Mom!

"I want to give you these as well. And sorry for coming here uninformed."

Then Tatsuya handed me a basket full of vitamins and fresh fruits. After accepting the gift, I thanked him.

"Anyway what are we all standing here for? Come in!"

Megumi, being as sharp as always, had noticed a tint of red on the male teenager's cheek and decided to invite him into the house. For further investigation.

"Wait what?!"

The moment seeing me resist, Megumi shot a glare.

"I... actually don't mind about having guests, but right now is a little...?"

Right now was definitely not a good time for this. Heck, Sesshomaru was probably waiting for me out there!

And I definitely did not want to piss him off since he's so going to shred me into pieces if he did.

"Don't be so rude to our guest. He came all the way here just to see you, remember?! With all the gift and stuff too!"

Megumi hit me hard at my side to force me to cooperate.

"Will it be alright, Sogo-san? It looks like you're about to go somewhere."

Tatsuya stared at my uniform and the backpack in my hand, somewhat looking pitiful.

"N-no, not at all! P-lease come in!"

In the end I had no choice but to invite him in.

Hearing us making a fuss by the door, my mom appeared to check what was going on and notices an unfamiliar boy walking beside me to the living room.

"Oh my, who is this boy? Is he your boyfriend, Shiomi?"

And she had a very wild, ridiculous imagination upon seeing him.

"Of course not! He is Miyamoto Tatsuya, a school mate. he's only here to visit me".

Somehow I noticed a slight disappointment on her face once she heard my explanation.

"You must be Mrs. Sogo. It's nice to meet you. I am Miyamoto Tatsuya."

He introduced himself to her and my mom beamed, way too brightly.

"Nice to meet you too, Miyamoto-kun. Thank you for coming. I'm very appreciate it."

All of sudden she winked at me then giggled to herself. Sensing something abnormal, my brows furrowed. What?

"It's nothing much, Mrs. Sogo. Just a simple thing that any friend would do."

Tatsuya smiled, seemed not to notice what was happening between us.

"I see, such a gentleman."

My mom commented on his attitude.

Then she turned to Megumi and whispered something into her ears before both started grinning. Leaving me alone trying to figure out what was happening.

"Uhm... No need to be shy. Make yourself at home."

Eventually I gave up on thinking and lead Tatsuya to the the sofa nearby. As he took a sit right next to me, I poured some tea for everyone.

"Are you sure it's okay for me to stay? You seem to be uncomfortable."

Perhaps having sensed my frustration, he asked. And I almost knocked the cup off the table out of shock.

"T-That's must be because I'm still not fully recovered!"

Hearing so, Tatsuya sighed in relief.

"Is that so? I'm glad that you have finally passed that awful stage."

And I could only nod awkwardly. "Y-Yes, me too…"

Please, just hurry up and leave already. I beg of you!

And it's not until forty minutes of chatting later that Tatsuya decided to go home.

"I'll see you later at school."

When he's finally out of sight, Megumi peeked out from behind and caused me to jump in surprise.

"Hey, Shiomi, I think that boy is having a crush on you!"

"Are you insane? We've only just become friend today."

How in the would could she even come up with something like that? We barely even knew each other.

"My, aren't you a being too dense. Think about it, he appeared out of nowhere to visit you and wanted to become friends. I bet Tatsuya has something for you."

Drowned within her own fantasy, Megumi leaned on my shoulder and sighed. Seriously, my sister watched to much dramas.

"Don't be ridiculous, the only things that he has for me right here are vitamins and fruits...Oh no!"

Remembered that the others were still waiting, I grabbed my backpack and charged in full speed to the shrine.

"I've gotta go! Say goodbye to mom for me!"

Back to the present.

"Onee-chan, Jaken-sama, Let's play Say it fast game!"

Getting bored in the middle of traveling through a dark misty valley, Rin suggests us to play a game.

"What now?"

Being forced into into one of her ridiculous requests, Jaken growls while I simple agree to play along, since there's nothing else better to do anyway.

"Here we go… Red-Jaken, Blue-Jaken, Yellow-Jaken!"

Only then, Rin starts. And I repeat the words easily.

"Okay, it's your turn Jaken-sama! Red-Jaken, Blue-Jaken, Yellow-Jaken!"

She leads Jaken but he refuses to follow.

"No, I'm not playing."

"Aww, why not!"

I think the reason is quite obvious...

Soon everything turns quiet again. All of sudden Sesshomaru halts his steps, causing Jaken to bump hard into his legs and falls flat on his butt.

"Sesshomaru-sama?"

Within the mist up ahead we hear a sound of flute playing, then appears a straight long black hair lady in light green kimono and carries a flute in her hand.

"It's been a long time, Sesshomaru-sama."

She stops before Sesshomaru and kneels.

Quite a beautiful woman. Even her voice gives quite a nice ring to the ears. But why is she playing a flute while traveling alone in the middle of nowhere? Wouldn't that be really dangerous?

"Who are you? How do you know Sesshomaru-sama?"

Getting suspicious, Jaken questions her. Therefore she introduces herself to us as Sara.

"Have you forgotten about what happened at Asano Castle? Sesshomaru-sama?"

Upon hearing the name *Asano Castle*, Sesshomaru frowned. Yet after spending a good while recalling to the past, he claims to have never met her.

"I do not know you."

"What?!"

Needless to say she's shocked.

"Please wait, Sesshomaru-sama! I want to make your wish come true!"

As Sesshomaru passes by, she proproses.

"... And when I have succeeded, I hope you will accept my feeling."

Sara holds the flute closer to her chest.

Feeling? You're telling me that she's actually in love with him? Wow, now this is getting more and more interesting.

After having to watch everything, I'm starting to get curious about their strange story. Especially Sesshomaru's wish. Somehow it doesn't give me a good vibe from it.

"Hmph! Do as you wish."

In the end Sesshomaru let her do what she wants and walks off.

Having earnt his permission, she beams with pleasure and walks to the opposite direction of his. Yet stopping right before where I and Rin are standing.

"Tell me something."

After staring at me from head to toes, she asks.

"You're asking me?"

Surprised, I point at myself to make sure that she's aiming at me.

Unbeknown to the girls, Sesshomaru has glanced back and listened to their conversation.

"What's your relationship with Sesshomaru-sama?"

Her wild imagination baffles me to no end. Relationship? Is she for real?

"We are only travel companions, nothing more."

Therefore I state every single word clearly for her to understand.

"I see…So you're just one of his servants."

Once the unnecessary misunderstanding is cleared up, she sighs in relief. As if having just removed a nasty bug off her hair and walks off. Disappears into the thick mist up ahead.

Since when companionship has turned into master-servant relationship?!

Her attitude and that ridiculous assumption ticks me off so much.

"Who is she? Sesshomaru-sama?! Who is that woman!"

Once everything has died down, Jaken rushes to Sesshomaru's side. For some reasons his reaction reminds me of a jealous girlfriend.

"Are you blind? She is not human."

However, Sesshomaru's response leaves us in shock.

"She is a youkai… or if she was originally a human. Though she is only a low-class youkai."

A human that can turn into youkai? Is that even possible?

Once getting out of the misty place, we follow Seasshomaru to a cliff where Inuyasha's group is at. There is also Sara, who is currently riding on a giant raven.

And it seems like they are in the middle of a fight.

"Sesshomaru-sama, What are you doing here?"

Sara's shocked by her lord/crush sudden appearance.

"Kagome-chan, are you okay?!"

Not going to care whatever is happening between those two, I guide Ah-Un to Kagome's spot to check on her. Once there, Kagome explains to us that it's Sara who has stolen Inuyasha's sword, Tessaiga.

Jeeze, the boy only has one sword to use and Sesshomaru just have to take that too?

No need to describe how angry Inuyasha is when learning about those lovebird's intention and launches at Sesshomaru.

"Sankon Tessou!" (Sankon Tessou: Iron Reaver Soul Stealer)

To stop his attack, Sesshomaru grabs Inuyasha's wrist and burns him with some kind of green poison mist. Taking the chance that her enemy is in disadvantage, Sara flies to Sesshomaru for aid.

"Sesshomaru-sama, don't let him go!"

Different from her expectation, Sesshomaru shoves Inuyasha aside and sends poison mist toward her as well. Causing the giant raven to break into pieces.

"But why, Sesshomaru-sama…?"

At result of that sudden attack, Sara lands onto the ground. Still in disbelief that Sesshomaru had tried to hurt her.

"That lady, she is not on Sesshomaru's side?"

Confused, Kagome turns to me for some info.

"How should I say this…"

Scratching the back of my head, I groan in defeat. Unsure how to explain properly since I only met Sara for no more than two hours.

"Sesshomaru-sama, please accept this. Please turn Inuyasha into dust with your Tessaiga"

Meanwhile Sara kneels down and offers the sword to him.

"Do not misunderstand. Did you really think that this is what I, Sesshomaru desire?"

However, Sesshomaru refuses to accept it.

"Are you saying that it is not…?"

Sara's immediately taken aback by his answer.

Turns out stealing Inuyasha is not his wish either. Now that reminds me, isn't Naraku is the only thing that vivid in his head nowadays? (I know what you're thinking but no, not in the yaoi way)

"I will not accept help from one such as you to defeat Inuyasha."

Sesshomaru walks off. Quickly, Jaken commands Ah-Un to chases after him and I bid Kagome goodbye.

"Sorry Kagome-chan, I have to leave now, take care okay?"

Now that we all know Sesshomaru doesn't need the Tessaiga, perhaps Sara will return the sword back to them since she has no need of it.

Within the nearby forest.

Sesshomaru stops in front of a large tree and stares at it for a couple of minutes before Sara appears behind him.

"Do you remember now, Sesshomaru-sama? Back then, you were sitting against the tree. I will never forget that sight. I have never seen anyone as beautiful as you in the world. And I was watching you the whole time..."

Sara recalls to the past. Yet her words give me goosebumps.

Watching him the whole time? She's not some kind of a stalker, is she?

Then I notice the Tessaiga in her hands. And why the hell is she still keeping that?

"Why you…"

Irritated by their affectionate moment, Jaken's about barge in to break those two apart until I stop him by pinching his collar.

"Hush, Jaken-san. Do you want him to snare at you again like last time?"

Being reminded of the life and death experience back then, he gulps in fear and finally to quiet down.

"The sound of a flute. Back then… I thought I heard the sound of a flute."

Finally, Sesshomaru acknowledges their destined meeting.

"Yes, It was this flute."

Sara begins to play the instrument in her hand, it was such calm yet sorrowful melody.

Once done, Sara continues telling him what happened back then. Why her father burnt down the castle and how she died. In order to make her love came true, Sara gave up her body to the youkai at the end.

"Sesshomaru-sama. Won't you accept what I've done for you?"

Sara's eyes turn red when offering him the Tessaiga.

"Didn't Sesshomaru say that he doesn't need that sword? Why don't you just give up."

Not thinking twice, I jump into their conversation. End up earning a deadly growl from her.

"Back off, servant! Do you want to die?!"

"I don't give a damn what you are going to do. Give it back to Inuyasha already!"

Despite not in a friendly term with Inuyasha that much for me to defend him, he's still Kagome's guardian. And he definitely needs that sword to protect her. Just like how he has helped me back at the shrine.

"This is none of your business...!"

In anger Sara snarls, her grips tighten onto the sword.

"So that is your true form."

Suddenly Sesshomaru moves out of his spot to cover me.

"My true form? What are you talking about, Sesshomaru-sama?"

Confused by his statement, she asks.

"There you are! Sankon Tessou!"

Then out of nowhere Inuyasha appears in the air and delivers his special attack at us.

"Hey! Hey! I'm right over here you know?!"

Standing from below I scream to alert Inuyasha but he doesn't care. Fortunately enough, Sesshomaru has dashed over and slashed his shoulder to stop him.

Seriously, is this what I get for defending this guy?

Hurt by the impact, he growls. "I should have known! You are part of this, Sesshomaru!"

"You will not lay a finger on her. She is none of your concern, Inuyasha."

Upon hearing those affectionate words, Sara smiles in satisfaction.

"No way! I have to get back my Tessaiga! Hijin Kessou!" (Hijin Kessou: Blades of Blood)

Not giving up that easily, Inuyasha digs his claws into his wound and fires some red waves at us.

The heck!? There is no way that I will be able to dodge those things!

Once again, Sesshomaru saves me by blocking Inuyasha's attack with his sword. Though the rest of it fly past us and damages Sara's shoulder.

"Curse you, Inuyasha… I shall send you do your death!"

Multiple of youkai rushing out of her wound and lock Inuyasha with their bodies.

"Move."

Since the situation's getting tense, Sesshomaru orders me to back off. Then he steps in front of Inuyasha to faces her. Much to the lady's distress.

"Do not reveal any more of your disgusting self to I, Sesshomaru."

With his sword, Sesshomaru slides her in half but causes Youkai to burst out even more, rushing toward him.

"Damn you, you exposed us!"

Sara's face changes into a grey looking ogre, her voice sounds more maniac. And thanks to her demonic power, the sky above us has turned darker.

"Nintoujou!"

Jaken summons a blast of fire with his staff to protect us. Despite being aided with Ah-Un blue beams, he's still struggling to kill some of them.

"Did you truly believe that I would not see through your disguise?"

While Sesshomaru just easily slashes away every single one of them with his sword.

"That's right, Sara was simply a medium. Our true aim is you, Sesshomaru!"

No longer trying to hide, the one so called Sara claims that she has used Inuyasha's sword just to lure him out.

Shortly after, Kagome and the others arrive to the scene. To save him, Sango swings her giant boomerang and releases Inuyasha from the Youkai's grips. However, the rest of them have now gathered into a gigantic mass up in the air.

Miroku raises up his right hand to open up his sleeve and reveals a small hole inside his palm. He warns Inuyasha before activating that magical circle to suck all of the youkai into it.

"Inuyasha, get down! Kazaana!"(Kazaana: Wind Tunnel)

To prevent ourselves from being pulled inside the void I, Rin and Jaken have to hold onto Ah-Un. What the heck…?! How is there a black hole inside his hand?!

Despite the black hole's destruction power, Youkai keeps coming out of Sara's body like an endless supply.

"Heh heh heh, this woman's spiritual energy has become our power. And after we absorbed you, Sesshomaru. We will become the strongest youkai of all!"

"Hmph! Trash, the whole lot of you."

Sesshomaru spat.

"Sesshomaru-sama, please forgive me…It's all because of my foolishness, I have been such a burden to you."

Suddenly at the middle of the Youkai's chest appears Sara's human face and she pleads him to kill her.

However his blade appears to be not working against her since it is said to be consumed by anger and hatred, which will only adding power to the youkai.

With another plan in his mind, he cuts off the youkai arm, which is holding the Tessaiga and sends it flying to the spot nearby. Seconds later, I hear Kagome shouts something from behind and see her firing an arrow, which turns into a purple line, straight at the youkai's chest.

Oh my god, is that some kind of purification magic?! Has she always been this strong?

Needless to say, I'm completely awed by her powerful magical ability.

"If I cannot use my Tojikin..."

Meanwhile without any of us noticing, Sesshomaru has picked up Tessaiga on the ground. Lightning energy starts cracking from of the sword and damages his hand, rejecting him.

"There is only this!"

With just one swing, Sesshomaru summons a giant yellow wave of energy to blow the whole thing away. And what left of it is a long trail of lava on the ground. While Tessaiga is thrown away near to where Inuyasha is.

The remaining of them are soon eliminated by the combination of Kagome's arrow and Inuyasha's Kaze no Kizu, which have also cleared the sky back to normal.

Once everything has calmed down, we approach the real Sara who is starting to melt away into dust under the huge tree.

"At last…I am finally free…Sesshomaru-sama, thank you."

The lady smiles to him gently, as he picks up the flute lying on the ground nearby.

"I have no regrets…Because I was able to express my true feeling to you. Sesshomaru-sama…"

While listening to her final words, Sesshomaru stares at instrument in his hand before sticking it into the ashes.

"Let's go."

Quickly, Jaken and Rin follows him from behind. I glance back to Sara's grave and Kagome one last time before leaving with the others.

Back to the valley.

In the evening.

Things turn back to normal for us with Sesshomaru takes the lead while Rin having small clueless chats with Jaken from time to time. And I only listen to the two's conversation in silent due to Sara's dying moment is still haunting my mind.

To think I would be able to witness such a tragic love story in this bizzare place...And it's from Sesshomaru, no less.