To 'Guest' who reviewed Chapter 45: Thank you once again for your interest! I also hope Sesshomaru will finally realize his feelings, even just a little. :D
Chapter 46:
Arisa was all ready to go, and was about to leave when she saw Ayame standing by the door with her arms crossed. Apparently, she was waiting for her.
"Going back to the world beyond that well with Sesshomaru?"
"Yes…"
Ayame sighed.
"I give up."
Arisa gasped inwardly. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't act like you don't have any idea. I'm talking about him."
"…what happened?"
"I kinda rushed my actions and suddenly confessed. And then I got totally duped."
"…"
"He even gave me a terrifying experience." Ayame continued with a dry laugh.
"I see…still, I'm relieved he didn't harm you."
"He didn't, since I am your sister. But if I was a random woman, he would've killed me instantly."
"Oh…"
"And since it was a desperate situation, I had to ask what made you different from me. He didn't answer, but the mere mention of your name sparked a split-second softness in his eyes. Also... I took a peek at the both of you on that day he brought you that herbal tea in your room. And…I saw how he really does care for you. He wouldn't usually stay long in here, right? But for your sake, he managed to do so."
Arisa's heart pounded at Ayame's narration, but it only added more to her inner conflict.
His actions did indicate something like that, but…still. I don't want to get my hopes up in here. Really…what are his actual thoughts? I mean, he literally rejected me a while ago too. Ugh, he is so unpredictable…
Ayame grinned and gave her younger sister a pat on the head.
"Well, have fun being with him. You're almost there, so don't you dare back out."
"What are you saying? I'm not even—"
"There's no use in denying. It's pretty obvious that you do like him."
Arisa only looked down, as she didn't know what to say. After a period of silence, she finally spoke.
"…I'm sorry. Now I feel like I got in the way."
Ayame laughed. "I admit that I feel a bit disappointed about it, but it's only natural."
"Ayame nee-san…"
"You better go. I'm sure he's getting pissed off right now, waiting for you."
Arisa gently hugged her older sister. "Thank you…"
But for now, it's still better if I keep these feelings to myself...
Arisa dropped by the kitchen first, with a smile on her face.
"Mom, I have something to tell you."
"What is it, dear?"
"Sesshomaru said that he liked your cooking."
Her mother's mouth slightly fell open. "Oh my…what a compliment."
"Cook some curry when he gets to come here again." She suggested with a wink, and her mother warmly smiled.
"Alright. Tell him I appreciate his remarks."
"Got it!"
Arisa was huffing as she arrived at the well in the forest, and there was Sesshomaru - his expression strict.
"I thought I told you to make it quick?" he asked sharply, and it made Arisa snicker nervously.
"Well…I had a deep conversation with my sister, so it couldn't be helped."
His eyes narrowed. "What did the two of you talk about?"
"…it's a secret." She replied softly with a wink, and then went ahead and grabbed his arm.
Sesshomaru was confused at her sudden change in behavior and emotional state.
Until a while ago she was feeling down and suddenly, she's this happy again? I do not understand this woman's complexity.
Either way, he let Arisa have her way, and they both jumped into the well together.
"Sesshomaru. My mother was delighted at your comment on her cooking. The next time you'll visit, she'll cook some curry for you."
"It is up to her."
No matter. She's back to her usual self and that is enough.
Sesshomaru thought as he took a brief glance at Arisa, who was smiling delicately. And for some reason, it made him feel relaxed, after being a little worried about her gloominess earlier.
"Arisa."
She quickly faced him with curious eyes. "What?"
"Supper was good."
Though he said it flatly and with a blank expression as usual, there was a hint of gratitude and satisfaction in it. Arisa's eyes widened, and her heart leapt.
"Oh…! I-I'm glad you liked it." She replied, her cheeks turning pink.
Sesshomaru noticed her reaction, and he couldn't deny about being charmed a little with it.
Just what are you making me go through?
Jaken happily greeted his two companions as soon as they emerged from the well.
"Welcome back, Sesshomaru-sama! You too, Arisa!"
As always, Sesshomaru didn't bat an eyelash.
"Hello, Jaken! It feels like it's been quite a while." Arisa replied softly.
"Not really. I hope you have fully recovered."
"Yes, and it's all thanks to Sesshomaru's...delicious tea."
"I told you it's not something to thank for." Sesshomaru interposed, a bit satiric.
Jaken looked at Sesshomaru with wide eyes. "Is that true, Sesshomaru-sama? That's where you used the plants you gathered?"
"There is no need for you to state obvious situations, Jaken." Sesshomaru replied plainly.
"R-right, my lord."
Arisa stared endearingly at Sesshomaru while walking behind him, with Jaken and Ah-un at his side.
He really did go out on his way to help me get better…ha, look at me now. Falling in love with him who I hated so much at first. This is so ironic.
"Arisa."
She flinched at Sesshomaru's sudden call. "Y-yes?"
"Stop gawking at me like that."
Seriously? He felt that?
"S-sorry!"
They were having a casual walk, until Arisa suddenly stopped. She started sweating a little, and then gazed at a distance behind her.
"What's the matter, Arisa?" Sesshomaru asked, sensing her halt.
"I…I don't know. It's faint, but somehow…I could sense a dark aura similar to Naraku."
"Naraku, you say?"
"Yes…"
"Perfect timing. It's about time that scum shows himself."
"But it's not him. It just resembles his aura."
"It does not matter. We will take on any sign, and assume it will lead us to Naraku."
"…alright."
With that, Arisa instantly mounted on Ah-un and they headed to where she felt the aura. But, it led them to a place surrounded with thick mist, and it was difficult for them to pass.
"I'll clear the path." She quickly suggested, and then she started doing the hand signs and chanted the four cuts. Sesshomaru had his eyes on her, wanting to witness her other spells that she spoke of.
It should be fine, as long as it's not that spell she had used against Naraku back then.
"Rin! Kyo! To! Sha!"
She released a bigger wave of pure light from her hands and it swept straight through the area, instantly dissipating the mist. Eased with the result, Sesshomaru went ahead while they followed, and they came upon a village hut.
"Sesshomaru! The dark aura is coming inside that hut…!" Arisa shouted, and he quickly went in to take care of whatever was there.
The moment he stepped in, he choked up a short man who held a gas machine, and he succeeded without so much effort. He then saw Kagome and her friends who were intoxicated and yet, he still posed a question.
"Is Inuyasha around?"
"No…" Kagome managed to reply, but they were quickly interrupted by the gas man.
"H-how dare you…! Do you know who you're dealing with?"
Sesshomaru looked at him with a straight face. "How are you related to Naraku?"
He didn't bother answering as he wriggled his way out of his grip and ran outside to escape. Sesshomaru didn't hesitate to go after him but he was yet, again, confronted with another smoke attack. However, he was immune to it, making the man alarmed since he already used up everything. He was now unarmed.
Then, he suddenly pleaded for his life and cowered in fear. Sesshomaru let him go as he deemed it a waste of time, and was about to leave when he was directly bombed with a thicker, poisonous gas.
"This is a poison that I, Mukotsu, especially made for demons like you." the man announced confidently with an evil snicker. But, Mukotsu's short reprimand faded when Sesshomaru came out unharmed.
"Did you really think that that worthless poison of yours would work on me?" he scoffed, and killed him with his toxic whip before he could even squint.
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