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ABC Thought
Chapter 60
In one morning.
While dressing up, Sesshomaru informs me that he'll be gone for quite some time to deal with his personal problems. Therefore Jaken will be staying at our house from today to act as my guardian.
"Come back soon, okay? I'll be waiting."
To mesmerize his scent, I give him a long hug, plus a kiss to his cheek.
"Be careful."
Instead of leaving, Sesshomaru stares at my face before moving closer to me.
"Eh? Don't you have to go now?"
My heart jumps when feeling his hand resting on my thigh.
"Why are you groping me?! Didn't you have it enough last night?!"
However Sesshomaru doesn't care and proceeds pinning me down on the bed.
Seriously! Just what the heck is this guy made of?!
About an hour later...
"If you have something to say to me then say it."
Sitting at the other side of the same table, for some reasons Jaken has not once stopped glaring dagger at me.
"You know that Sesshomaru-sama will be gone for while, right?"
Resting his chin on one hand, he says.
"Or so I've heard."
"Yet I was tasked to stay here, with you!"
In anger, Jaken slams his hands onto the table and knocks his teacup over. Stating that he really wants to come along with Sesshomaru on his long journey, but cannot. All because of me.
"So now you're angry at me for that?"
Hearing so, he gives me a *Hmph!* and turns away.
"How about I ask him to reconsider? Maybe he will change his mind."
Taking the chance that Sesshomaru is still around, I suggest to give it a try.
"A-Are you serious?!"
In instant, Jaken's head turns around and his eyes shines like starlight.
"Still, I don't think that I will be able to do this alone..."
Thanks to those crazy events that have happened recently, Sesshomaru has been paying more attention to my whereabouts. Therefore it's going to take a lot of brainstorming in order to convince him successfully.
"Are you trying to tell me to lie to him?! Never!"
Assuming that he's asked to trick his master, Jaken yells into my face.
"Who said anything about lying?! All you have to do is giving a little push."
"L-Like what?!"
And I call him over to whisper into his ear my new plan. Mostly to avoid Sesshomaru from *accidentally* eavesdropping us with his enhanced sense of hearing.
"No way! There is no way I am going to do any of that!"
However, he refuses and shakes his head like crazy.
"You won't do this or do that! Do you want to go or nah!"
Only imagine having to watch over Shiomi for a whole week straight is enough to send a chill down Jaken's spine. But the thought of throwing away his pride to achieve his goal is also terrifying him to the core.
"The choice is yours. This is all I can do to help."
Therefore I leave the room so he can have more time alone to think.
"Wait! I-I'll do it!"
Once reaching to the door, Jaken calls out for me.
"Alright then get ready. I'll retrieve your master."
It doesn't take long for me to find Sesshomaru's standing by himself in our garden and lead him back to our living room. Despite not knowing why he has to go there, Sesshomaru doesn't question my motive and simply plays along.
"Jaken, we're here!"
The moment stepping inside, Jaken's already on his knees.
"I cannot imagine spending a single day without you by my side! Please, Sesshomaru-sama! take me with you!"
He cries out, even hitting his head against the floor several times to show his utmost sincere.
"At least consider how much we've been through together up till now!"
Still, Sesshomaru remains unfaltering to many of his claims. Figure that this act isn't enough to move him, I signal to Jaken to be more dramatic.
"T-Then there's only this!"
Out of despair Jaken takes out a knife and attempt to perform Seppuku in front of him, while complaining that Sesshomaru has abandoned his faithful servant.
In the end, what he earns is not an approval but a strange look from his master. It's a mix of something between disgust and annoyance.
Jeeze, this is much tougher than we've thought...
Suddenly with that same expression, Sesshomaru turns to me.
"Eh?! I know nothing of this!"
The heck?! I haven't even said anything yet he's already assumed that I'm the main culprit.
"S-Still, can't you see how desperate he is to serve you?!"
Grabbing Sesshomaru's arm, I plead for him to reconsider as well.
"If there's danger, I will stay at Kagome's place. I will be fine!"
In response to his suspicious look, I grin the brightest grin ever.
The awkward moment of waiting feels like forever and eventually, Sesshomaru gives in.
"Jaken, we're leaving."
Letting out a sigh, he calls to him and steps outside. Much to Jaken's joy.
"Right away! Sesshomaru-sama!"
Soon after seeing them off, I return to my daily normal routine. Alright, time for breakfast!
By noon.
Getting bored staying alone with no one to talk to, I decide to go to Kaede's village to visit Rin and Kagome. While making my way downhill, I feel a rough hand grabs my ankle from below.
"Ekk! Pervert!"
Getting jump-scared out of nowhere in the middle of the day, I scream and kick whoever that is away with all my strength.
"Arg!"
A weak grunt can be heard coming from a large bush right behind me and everything falls silent. Curious, I search around and eventually find a young looking man lying on the ground nearby, unconscious.
"Huh? M-Mister! Are you alright?!"
Immediately I approach to check on him.
Oh no, he's knocked out cold. Was it because of my kick...?
Luckily, the guy is still alive.
"Hello? Can you hear me?"
While trying to wake him up, I notice that there are injures all over his body. Some of them are fresh and even bleeding, not to mention abnormal looking.
A youkai's attack? I wonder whatever had done this to him was actually venomous...
Thinking that the culprit is still nearby looking for him, I decide to take the man back home to fix him. Since it's still closer than Kagome's house right now.
However the moment picking him up, I realize that this guy is heavier than he looks.
Damn, this is going to take a lot of work...
And by the time the sun is almost set, we're able to return home in one piece.
No time to rest, I jump right in to clean and tend his wounds. Fortunately, there are still some medicines and medical herbs that Kagome has left for me from last time.
He seems okay now. Thanks god, they are just normal injuries.
Once everything's done, his face turns relaxed and the fever's also lessened. Though from time to time, he'd mumble something in his sleep but they're quite incomprehensible.
Next morning.
The man wakes up from his slumber and finds himself lying inside an unfamiliar room, much to his confusion.
"What...?"
Curious he looks around and finds the rooms itself is bigger than the old hut he usually lives in, also much more clean and fancy looking. The furniture is in high-quality which can only be seen from the expensive shops around the town. Even the futon he's lying on feels much softer and nicer than anything he has experienced.
Just how in the world did he get himself into such a place?
"What happened? Why am I here?"
The sound of a door sliding open on his right gives him a startle. Then a short haired girl in blue kimono appears with a bowl of steaming porridge in her hand.
"Oh! You are awake!"
Despite not knowing each other, she's happy to see him being alive and well.
"I'm sure that you haven't eaten anything since yesterday. Here, try it when it's still hot."
Casually she puts the bowl onto the floor next to him. Seeing him being wary of her, the girl explains that she has found him on the road and took him back home to treat his wounds.
"I was wounded, you say?"
It's only then he feels the ache on all over his body and recalls being chased down by a group of youkai while collecting woods at the hill yesterday.
"Thank you, miss. For saving my life."
Needless to say he's thankful for her kind act and she smiles gently.
"You're welcome."
As she gets closer to check on him, he realizes that this girl looks around his age and quite beautiful. More than anyone he has met before in his life.
"My name is Shiomi. What's yours?"
Her question snaps him back to reality and he answers. A little bit awkward.
"Ichiro."
Then Ichiro takes a small sip at the bowl of porridge that she has prepared for him. It's warm and delicious.
At the same time, in the middle of nowhere.
"What's wrong, Sesshomaru-sama?"
Notices the halt in his footsteps, Jaken asks him. Then he notices Sesshomaru's gaze's fixates on a direction, which their house is at, for a while before continues moving forward.
Has he already worried about her? We haven't even left that long.
And Jaken groans to himself. For now, he can only pray that Shiomi won't get herself involved in anything stupid again while they're away.
Later in the afternoon.
Ichiro's fully recovered from his injuries and prepares to return home.
"Is there anyway I can repay you?"
Before leaving, he asks me whether there's anything I'd like to have.
"Oh, there is no need for that."
Therefore I politely decline his offer. Also explaining to him that helping someone in need is what suppose to be done naturally, not to expect something in return.
"Then... From time to time. Can I come to visit?'
For some reasons Ichiro's eager to see me again.
"Sure, you are welcome here anytime."
He seems like a nice guy, so I have no reason to refuse.
A few days pass.
"Shiomi-san, good morning!"
As promised, Ichiro appears by my door to greet me.
"Oh, Ichiro-san. Hello."
Then I begin to see him around more frequently, perhaps for every couple days. Sometimes Ichiro brings woods, fruits and herbs, or fish, pretty much anything that he comes across while on the way here will be brought to me as gift.
"There is no need to bring me stuff every time you come here."
Despite being offered to trade with some other items in my house, Ichiro always refuses and states that he's only doing this out of good will.
"Don't be shy, just take them. There's plenty more where that came from!"
He declares, while handing me a boar that he has just caught from the forest.
A couple days later.
From his stories, I learn that Ichiro is currently living with his younger siblings and grandma.
"My grandma is a bit *extreme* when comes to anything that is related to youkai."
Ichiro's family are cautious toward to youkai due to their bad experiences with them for generations in the past. Now it's only getting worse thanks to the incident that happened to him just a few days ago.
"But not all youkai are bad, right?"
When I say that there are still good youkai out there.
"Most of them are."
Ichiro claims that they've already ceased to exist and that youkai cannot be trusted no matter what, even if they're showing their kindness and being humble.
"In the end, it's all just an act to hide away their true intentions."
The following days.
"I see... So you are married..."
Today as well, Ichiro comes to my house for a cup of tea and bit of chitchat. "But where is your husband? I haven't seen him once ever since knowing you."
"Well, he's been busy lately. Though I think that he'll be home anytime soon."
Therefore I explain to him that Sesshomaru's currently away for his business trip.
"And uhm... My husband is a youkai."
As expected, Ichiro's taken aback by the news. But he doesn't say anything about it and keeps staring at his hands instead. Seems to be in deep thinking.
Suddenly, we hear the sound of front door being opened along with several footsteps coming inside. Thinking that Sesshomaru's back from his journey, I alert Ichiro.
"Oh, that must be him!"
However different from my expectation, the first one to show up is Jaken.
"Hey, Shiomi. Sesshomaru-sama said that- Hold it! Who is that human?! Why is he here?!"
The moment seeing an unknown man sitting in front of me, Jaken gasps in realization and points his staff at him.
"Now I understand why you was so eager to send me off! It was so that you could play around with a human male!"
Not going to let me open my mouth to explain, Jaken goes on rampaging. Jumping around and trying to burn Ichiro with his magical staff.
"The nerve! Even bringing him right into the very place that we gave you!"
Since this kappa's already way beyond saving, I try to take him outside to stop him from killing my guest.
"Have you gone mad?! Sesshomaru will slaughter us all if he hears you!"
Though Ichiro pushes Jaken aside before I can reach him.
"Shiomi-san! Could it be that this thing was the husband that you were talking about?!"
Despite saying the most ridiculous thing ever, his face looks so serious that I almost lose my grip on reality.
"Wait what? No way! You guys have gotten it all wrong!"
I try wake him up from whatever he's on but to no avail...
"That ugly youkai must have threatened you to become his wife. But it's okay now. I'm here to save you!"
Ichiro refuses to listen to reasons and grabs a hold of my wrist. Dragging me out of my house in order to escape from my *tyrant husband*.
What the heck?! I can't shake him off!
While trying to get away from Ichiro's strong grip, I hear Jaken's angry yelling from behind.
"Stop right there! I will not allow you two to run off together that easily!"
Instead of helping, he's still thinking that I'm trying to elope with another man and determines to catch us.
"For god's sake! Will you two calm down and listen to me for a second?!"
Cannot stand this ridiculous drama any longer, I shout for both of them to stop.
"Huh?! Who are you?!"
All of a sudden, something or someone in complete white appears in front of Ichiro and covers all of his view. Before being able to realize what is happening, he's punched in the face and sent flying meters away.
"Sesshomaru!"
With that usual sour attitude, Sesshomaru walks pass me and cracks his fingers. It's an image that I can never forget.
"Ahhh! Wait! Don't kill him! You can't kill him!"
I jump forward and hold onto Sesshomaru to stop him from finishing Ichiro off. After hearing my explanation about what actually happened, he calms down and let things slide. For now.
Then I approach Ichiro to check on him. Despite our numerous calls and slaps to the face, he doesn't wake up.
"Oh no... You hit him way too hard."
I suggest letting Ichiro rest at our house since it's not right leaving him alone outside in this state. However, Sesshomaru expresses his displeasure greatly.
"How about bringing him back to his home?"
Since Sesshomaru is here, I'm sure he can lead us right to Ichiro's house with his enhanced sense of smell. Thankfully, he agrees and we immediately be on our way.
...
..
After spending a little bit of flying, we comes across an old hut in the middle of a small forest. Turns out, his house is quite close to where the Bone-Eater's Well is at.
"Is this the place?"
In response to my question, Sesshomaru nods. Then he drags the sleeping Ichiro off Ah-Un's back and drops him on the ground since he doesn't want me to touch him.
"O-Ouch..."
Thanks to the impact from the fall, Ichiro finally wakes up from his slumber.
"That guy has no idea how lucky he is to be alive."
Watching Ichiro's pathetic state from afar, Jaken comments in annoyance.
"A-Are you okay?"
Hearing my voice, Ichiro looks at me then his surroundings, completely bewildered. And the moment his eyes set on Sesshomaru, he shrieks in fear and runs away to hide.
"Don't be afraid. We won't hurt you."
Well, not anymore. Hopefully. "You were unconscious so we took you back home."
After hearing my explanation, Ichiro eases up.
"Ekk! Youkai!"
Suddenly we hear a young feminine scream, which belongs to one of Ichiro's siblings who have just returned home from the market. Scared by the sight of terrifying looking youkai, the girl throws away her basket and hides behind Ichiro for protection.
"It's okay, they won't harm you. They are with me."
However she doesn't believe in my words and cries louder. The other children appear from inside the hut start sobbing as well and disturbs the whole forest's peaceful atmosphere within seconds.
"Uhm... Can you leave us for a bit?"
Without a choice, I ask Sesshomaru to wait for me somewhere nearby since I want to speak with Ichiro before leaving. He obliges but is somewhat unwilling.
Only when Sesshomaru, Jaken and Ah-Un disappear out of sight, they're able to calm down and act normally again. Yet still somewhat being aware of me.
"Sorry about that. We didn't mean to scare you guys."
Therefore I apologize to Ichiro for the inconvenience, though he digress.
"It's alright. I should be the one to apologize."
Ichiro mentions what happened back at my house. Regrets for having misunderstood the situation terribly and ends up causing unnecessary chaos to us.
"And that youkai just now... He's your real husband. Isn't he?"
"Yes, Sesshomaru may look terrifying on the outside. But deep down, he's very kind."
"Are you happy when staying with him?"
"Of course! I love him a lot."
Hearing so, Ichiro smiles in relief. "That's great."
While we're still in the middle of talking, another person shows up at the spot. And for some reasons she seems to be very, very angry.
"Grandma, you're back."
Before Ichiro can introduce me to her, the old woman yells.
"You're not suppose to be here! Go away! Evil youkai!"
Not letting any of us explain the situation, she starts throwing a handful of the stuff lying inside her basket at my face while chanting something that god knows what.
What is this? Some kind of mud? Ash?!
For some reasons they are extremely sticky and slimy, making it difficult to brush them off. Then some of it get into my eyes and cause my vision to turn black.
When there's no more, she picks up more dry ash from the jars nearby to throw at me again.
"Cough! Cough! Can't breathe!"
Accidentally inhaling some of them into my lungs, I start coughing like crazy.
"Please, grandma. Stop! She's my friend!"
Her grandson is struggling to stop her from behind.
"Please leave, Shiomi-san! While I'm still able to keep her."
Ichiro shouts to me and I immediately take my chance to escape from her wrath.
Despite not being able to see where I'm heading at, I can't stop or else his grandma will catch me.
"Cough...! Sesshomaru! Cough! Where are you?"
Knowing that he's not far away, I call out loud in hope to reach him. Suddenly, my feet trip over something hard lying on the ground and I instantly fall on my face.
"Oww..."
It hurts as heck. Also that piece of whatever it is pierces through my kimono and now I'm stuck. While struggling to get away from this mess, I hear an unfamiliar voice behind me.
"Uhm... Do you need any help?"
A child? Though I can't see that his/her appearance due to the black stuff covering my whole face.
"Yes, please."
Like a ray of sunlight shines onto me within the deep hole of darkness, there is no way I'm going to say no.
"Thank you so much."
In instant I'm lifted up to my feet with their help. Surprisingly for a child, they is quite strong.
"What happened to you?"
Curious, they asks me about my messed up appearance.
"I... got into an accident. Do you know any stream nearby so that I can wash them off?"
Hearing so, they cheerfully takes my hand and leads me forward.
"Yeah! Come, I will take you there."
Judging by the size of their hand, they should be around three or four years old. Such a kind and friendly little fellow.
"Do you live nearby?"
"Yup! What about you? I've never seen you around before."
"That's because I just come here today to visit a friend. Though my house isn't too far away."
After a bit more walking, I hear the sound of water and figure that we're getting close to our destination. Once reaching to the stream side, they let go of my hand so that I can approach the water to wash my face.
Nice, these things can be cleaned with cold water!
Needless to say, I'm overjoyed. And when finally be able to see again, I turn around to greet my savior properly...
"Right, I haven't gotten your name yet. My name is Shiomi, what's yours?"
And yet, there is no one standing behind me.
"Kid?"
I walk around to look for them. Only to find the whole area empty. Strange, where did they go?
Assuming that child has gone home after being done with helping me, I decide to make my way back. However the more I go, the more lost I get. It's already been a while and neither Sesshomaru's group nor Ichiro's house is on sight.
Getting anxious, I shut my eyes and try to recall how far I've run. But it's pointless, since I couldn't see which path I took. Not to mention being lead even further away to get to this stream.
What should I do? Should I call for Sesshomaru again? Maybe this time he will hear me.
...
..
The moment opening my eyes again, I see myself lying in Sesshomaru's arms.
"What the- Huh? What happened?"
No word can describe how baffled I am by the sudden turn of events. And just as Sesshomaru's about to open his mouth to speak, Jaken jumps into my view.
"What do you mean what happened? What the heck are you doing sleeping around like that?!"
"Sleeping? But I was walking out there looking for you guys!"
Turned out, they did hear my calls from earlier and came looking. Then ended up finding me taking a nap on the ground next to the stream side.
So you're telling me that I fell asleep right after washing my face? Just like that? Seriously?
Upon standing up, I feel sharp pain on my legs and tumble. Finally remember that my kimono is badly torn and knees are still bleeding from the fall. Notice Sesshomaru's gaze, I assure him that everything is fine.
"By the way, when on the way here. Did you happen to see a human child?"
Curious, I ask whether they have seen him/her.
"What child? Was there someone with you?"
However both of them don't seem to realize the presence of this new character.
Therefore I recall being rescued by a child, but Jaken shakes his head. Claiming that there was no one else nearby when they arrived. Even Sesshomaru didn't catch any strange scent when he's with me.
Perhaps they had left way before Sesshomaru came...
All of a sudden we hear multiples screaming, and they are coming from Ichiro's house direction. Quickly, I ask Sesshomaru to take me there to check on them.
And the moment we arrive, Ichiro's family is being surrounded by a bunch of youkai in average size.
"Hurry up and give me the children!"
Completely unaware that we are standing a few meters behind them, they demand loudly.
"It's those things again! Grandma, get inside. I will deal with them!"
Meanwhile Ichiro is holding his axe and standing guard by the door with his grandma.
According to what we can collect from their constant yelling and shouting, these are the ones that assaulted Ichiro by the hill last week.
"Let's save them."
Since there is no way Ichiro can defeat these guys by himself, I ask for Sesshomaru's aid.
"Sigh... I know you would say that."
And Jaken groans, finding me being too predictable.
"We are already here, aren't we? Might as well go ahead and do some good deeds."
Beside with Sesshomaru's power, this battle should be a cake walk.
"Hmph! Why do Sesshomaru-sama have to save these human anyway? Let's just leave them and go home."
Still, Jaken sees no reason to do so since they bring us no benefits.
"... Or I can just do this myself. But don't blame me for what happen afterward, okay?"
"Would it kill you to act obedient even for once?"
Just like that, our argument goes on...
Simply want things to be done fast and head back, Sesshomaru steps forward to deliver one sword strike to each of their head. Wiping the whole youkai group before anyone can act.
"Did that guy just save us?!"
Cannot believe what just happened before his eyes, Ichiro gasps.
"Don't lower your guard! That youkai is coming for us next!"
Though his grandma reminds him to stay vigilant.
"It's alright. We're here to help. Everyone is okay now."
Carefully, I approach to calm them down.
"You are... that girl from earlier!"
His grandma recognizes me right away and we're able to sort out our misunderstandings quite quickly. It's unbelievable for them to be saved by a youkai at first, but they soon accept the changes and start being thankful.
"Thank you, miss. For helping us!"
No longer scared, Ichiro's siblings approach me to show their gratitude.
Assuming that one of them is that mysterious kid, I mention what happened back at the stream side. However, no one acknowledges having gone there or ever meeting me.
"None of them went out of the house since you left."
And Ichiro explains, saying that I must have been mistaken them with someone else.
"Is that so..."
Maybe it's one of the kids that is living in Kaede's village? It's nearby, after all. Right, talking about that place.
"Why not moving into Kaede's village. It's much safer than this place."
Therefore I suggest them to rebuild their house there. With Inuyasha and Kagome, as well as Miroku and Sango being its guardians, Ichiro's family will surely be protected from those evil youkai and live normally.
"But what about you?"
Ichiro's worried about my safety since my house is also away from the village.
"Well... We have our own reasons to stay. But as long as Sesshomaru is with me, I know that I'll be fine!"
After being assured, Ichiro nods. Soon after, we part ways.
Later on...
"At least we don't have to worry about moving those heavy jars around, cause grandma has used up all of them on Shiomi-san and those youkai..."
These old looking jars contain various type of ash and dirt that his grandma has collected around the area near the old well. Ever since he's little, Ichiro's told that this kind of weird mixture is used to repel or purify evil spirits.
"Didn't you see how effective it was?! It made them go away!"
As always, his grandma's certain about its effectiveness and insists on using them again.
"Yeah... Go away as in scaring them to death."
While Ichiro doesn't believe in any of it. To him, physical attack is the most effective way to get rid of youkai. Just like how Shiomi's husband has done to save them this morning.
'I wonder if I can become like that too."
And Ichiro sighs again. Wishing that one day he would become powerful to save others. Plus a beautiful wife.
"As if that's possible. You are a human, while that one is a youkai. With sword'n stuff."
However, his grandma's quick to dismiss his nonsense. Reality sure is harsh...
Somewhere within the Forest of the Tree of Ages.
"Onee-chan!"
Slowly she's awaken by a familiar voice and gentle touch on her shoulder.
"Setsuna."
Standing before Towa is a long black-haired girl in blue Kosode, her dearest twin little sister. For some reasons, she seems upset.
"Where did you go all of a sudden? And why are you sleeping here?"
Just a while ago when they were both out exploring the woods together, Towa disappeared. Causing Setsuna to run all over the place looking for her.
"There was a lady in trouble so I helped her."
Towa points at the stream nearby. Explaining to Setsuna that she had lead a lady to this place to wash up, because her face was covered in mud and she couldn't see.
Despite having never met this lady in her life. She seemed oddly familiar, in a way that Towa could not describe.
"Really? There is no one here but us."
Her sister looks around, seeing no human in sight.
"Heh? That's weird."
Confused as well, Towa scratches her head.
"Onee-chan. Can we go now, please?"
Getting a strange feeling about this area, Setsuna urges her to leave.
"She said that her house wasn't far away from here. Maybe we will be able to see her again."
While on their way back, Towa recalls to her short conversation with the mysterious woman.
"Still... How will you recognize her if you don't know her face. What about her name?"
Only when Setsuna asks, Towa realizes that she has totally forgotten about it. "Oh, right! Opps..."