To RubyGemGreen: Yes, it's about time she does. Hehe, thank you!
To OrchidWonderland: Thank you so, so much for your thoughts! I'm glad that you're loving this story :))
Chapter 43:
With their faces that were only inches away, Ayame fully stared into Sesshomaru's eyes that flickered, however, with disgust and displeasure. In spite of that, her face was red and her grip on Sesshomaru's shoulders only tightened. At the same time, Sesshomaru noticed a movement from above, and it came from a certain room. He knew that it was Arisa's room and for a second, he felt guilty about it. But, he quickly dismissed that feeling.
Ridiculous…what should I be guilty of?
"Get off of me now, if you want to live." Sesshomaru declared coldly, and suddenly readied his claws. It frightened Arisa, and she immediately drew away from him.
"What the…"
"What. Are you scared?"
Ayame didn't answer, as she was still trembling. Sesshomaru smirked at her reaction.
"Go on. Tell me your point in wanting to be close with me."
She swallowed hard, and reluctantly answered. "It's because…I like you. Ever since I saw you…"
Sesshomaru's lips formed a thin line.
"Preposterous. What will I benefit from your liking? I have no time to invest such feelings to anyone, most especially humans."
"W-won't you at least give me a chance?"
"I do not like to repeat myself."
"But what about Arisa!? Why do you seem so hung up on her? She is only a human too…!" Ayame answered back and unexpectedly, her statement took Sesshomaru by surprise.
It left him speechless as he stared at her blankly. But just like that, he didn't respond and left her behind.
"Damn it…" Ayame mumbled as she watched him go in frustration.
The dog demon thought things over as he went inside the house to check on the tea that they brewed earlier.
'She is an exception.'
It was what I was about to say. But why, though? I don't owe her anything at all. There is no clear answer, and it irritates me.
"I think your concoction is ready, Sesshomaru." the mother instantly said as soon as he stepped into the kitchen.
"I see." He bluntly replied, and proceeded to pour the right amount into a cup. After that, he bumped into Ayame, who was also on her way to the kitchen. She gasped upon seeing him, but on the other hand, he didn't give a slightest drat about it and just went past her, heading upstairs.
Ugh…this is so maddening…
Ayame thought as she planned on following him to Arisa's room.
"Get up." Sesshomaru said right after barging in on Arisa's room, and it made her flinch.
How dare he come in like nothing happened…
However, she did not respond and she knew that it irked him.
"Are you pretending not to hear me?"
"…why are you even here?" Arisa asked in a depressed tone.
"Do not answer me with a question."
"You didn't even knock, jerk."
Sesshomaru's brows furrowed at her sudden, continuous nagging.
"Get up and drink this before it gets cold."
Arisa peeped a little from her blanket curiously.
"What's that…?"
"Tea."
"Just leave it there."
Seeing that Arisa wasn't taking it seriously, he brashly put the cup down on a nearby table and then approached her. He took her blanket off of her, and then forced her to sit.
"H-hey…! What do you think you're doing…!?"
"Quit the foolish act and drink this now." He said in a rather sarcastic tone as he reached for the cup of tea and shoved it in front of her face.
She glared at him, but he matched hers with a deeper one.
"Fine…!"
Arisa grabbed the cup from him and intended to gulp it all at once, but she only had a sip of it and already, she gave up. She even wanted to spit out what she just drank.
"Why is this so bitter…!?"
"Deal with it."
"But it is too much…!"
"Insolent woman. I especially got those herbs for you and all I get are complaints?"
Her eyes went wide at his revelation.
"What…? But why…?"
"For your fast recovery. We don't have time to be slacking off like this."
"Well…! I'm sorry for getting sick!"
Arisa grumbled, but he didn't respond. He just sat there and looked at her with his expressionless face, seemingly waiting for her to continue and drink.
False alarm...! I thought he was at least worried about me…
She quickly looked away and stared at her reflection on the tea instead.
Still…it's really hard to believe that he went on his way gathering herbs. But, all the more reason I should drink it. I mean, it's a rare effort from Sesshomaru…
She blushed at her own thoughts and quickly, she shook her head. Hesitantly, she started drinking all of it even if made her feel like throwing up.
After making sure that Arisa drank all of the contents, he took the cup from her and proceeded to the door.
"Umm…it made my taste buds go numb, but I am actually starting to feel much better. Thank you…" She softly said, which made Sesshomaru stop for a while.
"There is no reason to thank me." He said, and went out of her room. But before that, he noticed that the door was slightly open. He was sure he closed it well a while back, and now he had a clear idea of who might've been peeking.
Tch. What a troublesome woman.
That night, Sesshomaru found himself in front of Arisa's room, which he was awfully surprised at.
I already fulfilled my purpose. Why am I here again?
Despite his thoughts, he quietly entered, and saw that she was fast asleep. He approached her to have a closer look, and then decided to sit on the floor. He stared at her face for some time, and sighed.
What is in you that made you an exception? What even made me act this way?
His questions remained unanswered as he gazed at the view of the moonlit sky through her window. At that moment, he noticed a familiar handkerchief hanging near the window.
That is… the bandage she used for my wounds and the reason I first went here. Hmph, she seriously treasured it.
A pleasant feeling emerged from his chest and it clearly astonished him, making his brows snap together.
There it is again…this annoying feeling. Come to think of it, I've had it every now and then.
Sesshomaru shut his eyes and quickly ceased all thoughts he had, including the emotion he felt just now.
Tsk. It's useless brooding over absurd things.
He stood up and was about to leave the room, when he suddenly heard Arisa utter his name.
"Sesshomaru…"
He quickly glanced at her, and it made him smirk softly.
"Talking in your sleep now, huh."
He then sat down beside her bed once again and decided to watch over her throughout the night.
Arisa woke up and was surprised to see Sesshomaru sitting on her bed, looking at her.
"What the…? How long have you been there?"
"How are you feeling?"
Answer my question, darn it…!
"I'm a lot better now, but my nose still feels a little stuffy..."
"Then take this." He quickly said, offering her the same tea as yesterday. Though, this time, the color became darker – meaning, the bitterness had been enhanced to a higher degree.
She gave him a completely disgusted look.
"I am already taking some cold pills, so..."
"Drink them along with this for faster efficiency."
"There is no need! Since, uh… actually, I feel really great today…!" she answered with a nervous laugh, but the dog demon wasn't buying her words.
"If you are going to lie, do it better next time."
"There is no way I am about to have another dose of that!"
"Do not test my patience."
His expression was eerily serious that Arisa had no choice but to heed his orders.
"A-as you wish, doctor Sesshomaru!"
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