Chapter 23:
Once Sesshomaru woke up, feeling much better, he shifted to the familiar presence of someone lying down beside him. There, he saw Arisa, who was soundly asleep. He softly smirked at how she had the guts to make use of his precious scarf as bedding. He also saw Jaken, sleeping in his own comfortable spot.
He quietly sat up, his scarf falling off. He then used it to cover up Arisa, much like a blanket. Still sitting beside her, he proceeded to gaze up at the sky. His face was as blank as usual, but a mellow warmth was brewing deep inside of him.
So she was tired.
Arisa's eyes snapped open and noticed how Sesshomaru's scarf was now all over her. Immediately, she felt embarrassed.
Omg…please don't tell me I…had this scarf all for myself…?
She slowly peeked at her side, only to find Sesshomaru already up, in a sitting position where his right arm was resting at the top of his knee. And that made her feel more embarrassed, as she was supposed to be the guard-on-duty.
"You are awake."
"Ack…!"
No type of action can seriously escape this man…!
She slowly sat up, and handed over his scarf.
"T-thank you…"
Sesshomaru casually accepted it then hung it over his shoulder once again.
"And s-sorry…I fell asleep." Arisa continued to say apologetically.
"It is not a problem."
"But…"
"Enough. Do not make a big deal out of it."
Feeling dejected, Arisa looked away. But suddenly, she felt him place his hand on her head for a second, much to her surprise. Her cheeks went pink as she glanced at him to make sure, but he already took his hand off and was looking vacantly at a different direction. Still, she took that as a sign of him saying 'it's okay'.
After a few days, Sesshomaru was fully back to his usual demeanor, and now he had another goal in hand before getting back to killing Naraku; of which Arisa still didn't have any idea.
She lost track of time, as she was hooked on taking care of Sesshomaru. And before she knew it, she had already been there for days, and that's when it hit her. It was already the weekdays, and she was once again absent. She panicked after her realization.
Oh no!
But then, she was more worried about Sesshomaru being in danger again, so she decided to risk it.
I think I'll stay a little longer.
"Sesshomaru."
He looked at her half-way, waiting for what she was about to say.
"Where do you plan to go from here?"
"I will find a material worthy enough to be made into my sword."
"I see…"
So in the end, he was still not over Tetsusaiga.
She sighed as she thought that, but she was pulled away from her thoughts when Sesshomaru asked something unexpected.
"Are you going back to your world?"
Her eyes widened, promptly evading his gaze right after.
"I was supposed to…"
"Do what you want." He immediately said as he straight off started to leave.
"W-wait!"
Sesshomaru stopped on his tracks, but he didn't whirl to her.
"Let me finish, would you? I decided to extend…"
He only gave her a short glance, and then resumed walking.
"Let's go."
"Okay…!"
Arise cheerfully followed, much to Jaken's disappointment. But later, after thinking for a while, he gave her a lop-sided grin from behind; as she walked beside Sesshomaru. He gradually accepted the fact that she was going to be traveling with them, and he had no choice. After all, she wasn't that much of a burden;it was just his insecurities rubbing him off. If not for her, Sesshomaru could still be on the process of recovering.
As they continued their journey, Sesshomaru suddenly ordered her two companions to wait for him.
"Where are you going this time?" Arisa asked suspiciously.
"I am to get something useful."
"Like what?"
"Keep quiet and wait."
Arisa pouted as she sat beside Jaken, who just sat willingly.
"I am amazed at how you always patiently wait for Sesshomaru, every freaking time."
"That is how I have served him for the past 200 years. I am his most loyal servant, after all."
She cringed at that loyal servant thing, and almost wanted to faint at the mention of 200 years.
"So then…how old is Sesshomaru…?"
"Hmm…I think he's around 500. But I am only 250…haa, I still have a lot to go."
"Y-you have got to be kidding me!" Arisa screamed in disbelief.
"But that is the truth for demons like us!" Jaken fussed.
"I only go out for a minute and come back to hear both of you talking about my age?"
A deep voice said behind the two, making them feel guilty.
"Oh…you're back awfully fast." Arisa answered, her mouth twitching; while Jaken could only laugh nervously. He didn't seem to mind, as he went on with what he wanted them to know.
"This is Ah-un."
Both of them looked at the two-headed horse-like creature beside him.
Arisa blinked twice. "And…?"
"He will be useful for you."
"How, exactly?"
Jaken felt Sesshomaru's commanding eyes on him, and he quickly knew what that meant.
"A-allow me, Arisa. Ah-un here will become one of our travelling companions, and you can ride on him whenever you get tired during our long walks or whenever you want. By the way, he can also fly."
Arisa's face lit up. "Seriously!? Oh my god, Sesshomaru. You are the best!"
She unconsciously hugged Sesshomaru who happened to be near her, and Jaken scowled.
"What do you think you're doing!? Get your hands off Sesshomaru-sama this instant!"
Arisa, realizing her sudden actions, quickly jumped off.
"Oh…! I'm so sorry…!"
Sesshomaru only cleared his throat nonchalantly, and then walked off.
"We are going."
Arisa and Jaken stared at him, completely baffled at his random reaction.
However, he didn't care about their eyes as he continued to leave them behind. They only came to their senses once Sesshomaru was far from reach, and they quickly ran off.
Wow…he did not even recoil when I hugged him, compared to before. Am I finally getting to him?
She thought as she ran, her face heating up. On the other hand, Jaken was still thinking how in the world Sesshomaru had just let off something like that.
I would've been smacked in the head by now if that was me…oh, how unfair!
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