Chapter 48:
"Maybe I should carry you so we could reach the place faster." Inuyasha meekly suggested, after walking briskly in silence for some time.
Arisa was startled at him, speaking all of a sudden.
"Oh! Well…if you don't mind." She replied, a little nervous.
He then proceeded to crouch down, with his back in front of her.
Arisa took a deep breath, and let him carry her at his back. It felt really awkward for the both of them, but time was running so they chose to brush it off. Soon, he began running.
Arisa couldn't help but compare the brothers.
Sesshomaru definitely has broader shoulders and leaner muscles. He is also a lot taller…and…this really feels different. I mean…Inuyasha never really interacted with me properly, and yet…here he is, carrying me out of the blue. Heck, now I feel like I am stealing Kagome's property…
Suddenly, she thought of the young priestess glaring at her.
Ugh, I'm really sorry about this, Kagome!
"Hey, are you alright?" Inuyasha asked, sensing her little cringe movements.
"Y-yes, I'm totally fine!"
"If you say so. You better explain properly to Sesshomaru later."
"Huh? Explain what?"
"What else? About why I'm carrying you! He will definitely catch my scent on you and he'll go nuts."
"You have got to be kidding me. Why would he even care? I'm just a walking companion to him."
"Hah! I've known Sesshomaru for a long time and he hates humans so much. He could've just dumped you right from the start or in the middle when he considers you as garbage but until now, you're still together. I'm more or less convinced that you're someone worthy for him."
Arisa found herself speechless at his statement, and it soon made her heart race.
I…I can't believe it. Even Inuyasha thinks I am somehow special to Sesshomaru. Ah, I am so happy right now!
"Oy, Arisa! How about getting down already? We're here!"
She was busy calming herself down that she didn't realize that they were already at their destination. He then shook her by force, which made her panic.
"H-Hey! W-wait just a minute!" Arisa pleaded, to which Inuyasha shrugged.
"Then hurry and get off of me!"
"Fine…!"
Arisa jumped off quickly before the half dog demon would get grumpier, and she quickly went to the three who were lying unconscious on the ground. She worriedly studied them for a while.
I hope I am not too late…
She was about to administer healing to Kagome first, but Inuyasha went ahead and hugged her in his arms. He had a lonely expression, and it seemed like he was about to cry as he lowered his head and proceeded to hug her tightly.
She was affected by the situation and soon, she felt sad but she had to prioritize things. She then decided to give them both some privacy and tended to Sango and Miroku instead. She started focusing on their bodies and in just seconds, she saw the faint dark aura coming from them. She was rather surprised at how easy it was for her right now.
I guess my secret trainings are actually paying off…
However, the aura was a lot lighter compared to poisons caused by Naraku, and the ones they were giving off were almost disappearing. It actually relieved her, because they aren't in a very dangerous situation anymore.
I guess someone offered first aid to them while Inuyasha was gone…
Nevertheless, she proceeded to remove the remaining poison remnants from Miroku and Sango, and later, they both slowly regained consciousness; even Kagome, who was currently in Inuyasha's arms.
Arisa sensed a soft thud on the ground, and it made her turn to see who it came from. She was surprised to see Kagome awake, with Inuyasha turning his back on her.
"Kagome…! You're alright!" she called out, catching her attention.
"Arisa…so you came…" Kagome managed to reply softly.
"Hold on a sec. I'll patch up things with Sango and then you're next."
"…thank you, Arisa-chan. But I'm okay now. Go to Kagome-chan." Sango said with a smile, to which Miroku nodded.
"I also thank you for healing me." Miroku added, and as Arisa smiled, a heavy sigh of relief escaped her mouth.
"I'm so glad you're both alright…" she said, then slowly, she stood up and went to Kagome's side.
Arisa focused to see the poison aura from Kagome, and to her consolation, there was almost nothing left. But just to be sure, she still applied her healing powers and completely removed the poison from her system.
After that, she tried to assess herself if she was going to faint, but fortunately, she didn't. It usually was a side-effect to her after performing healing arts.
Hmm…I guess it only works if the poison is as strong as Naraku's…
"Thank you, Arisa. You're a great help." Kagome murmured with a smile, much to Arisa's embarrassment.
"Oh, it was nothing…I merely did the finishing touches. The one you should be thanking more is the person who did the first aid." Arisa replied bashfully.
"And that's me…" a small voice said, and it caused them to look for where it came from. But somehow, it was already familiar, except for Arisa.
"Myoga jii-chan?" Kagome said, and a stuffed flea-like creature came rolling towards them, which freaked Arisa.
"Aiieee…!" she screamed, as she quickly stood and leapt away from the old creature.
"Miss, you need not fear me. I am a fellow, a flea-demon serving Inuyasha-sama." Myoga explained.
"Is that true, Kagome?" Arisa asked, still not convinced by his words.
"Yes, he's right, Arisa. But you need to be careful. He likes to suck blood even without your consent." She replied with a bit of sarcasm, to which Myoga laughed nervously.
"Kagome-sama, why do you have to be so harsh on me? At any rate, I sucked all of the blood in your system which mostly contained the poison. If I was a minute too late, you wouldn't have made it by now."
Arisa gasped at Myoga's confession, and she began balling her fists.
If only I was able to convince Sesshomaru the other day so I could go back to that hut…!
"But well, this lady here eased my job. I was starting to worry I'd drain you all by uncontrollably sucking all your blood, since I cannot already tell if there's still poison lingering in your blood."
"Really…? Then thank goodness I made it here…" Arisa said, her voice a little cracked.
And then, their attention all turned to Inuyasha, who remained quiet the whole time. Shippo was the first one who approached him, and seconds later, he suddenly squawked in shock.
"Whoa! Inuyasha! Are these…tears?"
"Shut up...!"
Myoga perked up at Shippo's comment.
"Shippo, stop fooling around. I've been with Inuyasha-sama for years and I've never seen him cry."
"But Myoga, I'm serious! His eyes are wet!"
"Really? Let me take a look."
Myoga replied and he quickly jumped over to Inuyasha's shoulder.
"Aha! Shippo, you're right! Inuyasha-sama is crying!"
Inuyasha got pissed and immediately shoved off both Shippo and Myoga away from him then confronted his allies.
"Why should I even cry!? Everyone's alright now, so I'm fine!" he complained loudly, then turned his back on them once again.
Arisa's eyes went wide after seeing Inuyasha's reaction.
"Whoa…so he really cried." She whispered to herself, but the others seemed to have heard her as they all nodded, and Kagome smiled.
I didn't know Inuyasha is actually a softie…
Arisa thought, and found it cute.
"You know Kagome, you are so lucky." Arisa commented, and it made the mentioned lady blush a little.
As for Sesshomaru…I can't really tell if he has a soft side. Because I seriously think those times when he cared for me…are just a part of his mood swings.
While Arisa was busy with her thoughts, the rest of the gang went stiff, as someone unexpected had come.
"Umm…Arisa-chan."
Shippo carefully said, as he quickly tugged her sleeves.
"Ah! Shippo, what's wrong?"
"…your 'man' is here."
Arisa took it the wrong way and blushed, then laughed apprehensively right after.
"What do you mean by my man, Shippo? I don't have someone like that…"
Shippo slapped his own face, which startled her. She then looked at both Miroku and Sango for hints, and they were both frantically pointing at someone or something behind her.
She then took note of their sign and turned around, and she was surprised to see who was standing over in just a short distance away from them.
Se-Sesshomaru…!
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