Chapter 3
Previously…
...
She was angry.
Magic was upon her.
Dangerous.
His lips pulled back in a snarl sensing the danger despite the soothing sensation of water that trickled along his senses. He followed behind her, growing closer and closer as she came upon the cabin. She stopped suddenly in the pathway. Her aura flexed in a bright shine of soft yellows and aquamarines. His claws flexed as she came closer to the steps and peered inside the cabin. The basket had been forgotten as she brandished her weapon and yelled loudly. Her foreign speech yelled for him to reveal himself. The sun reflected off the sharp metal and he could see her eyes burning into the steel. Within that same reflection, gold met brown before she spun towards him and he shifted. Claws flexed and fangs lengthened to protect himself.
Now...
...
Oshun's words did not register as he sprung, ready to reach for her slender throat. Water sprang up from the tips of her fingers. A cool spray of water came between them and created a barrier. Sesshomaru skid to a stop just as the trickle of water brushed against his heated skin, as the water barrier rose higher up into the air above. He backed away quickly feeling a light spray against his face. Golden eyes peered through the translucent barrier to see her silhouette reflected on the other side. A violet pair of eyes staring fiercely into his with a look of determination.
Sesshomaru growled lowly before standing up straight to levy her with a glare of his own. The birds had flown off into the distance. The wind blew slightly brushing his skin gently. Magic was heavy in the air. It hung intense with every move the female before him made. Her long locs chimed, breaking the silence among the jungle atmosphere. Her white skirt whipped around her legs as she stood strong in her stance. His nose twitched, scenting…honey, milk, rain, and some light floral scent ladled with a thick spice of some sort. He watched as her hand lowered and the machete in the other hand dropped into the dirt at her side.
Sesshomaru's aura flexed dangerously between them. Pushing against her flesh, willing her to either retreat quickly or prepare for slaughter. Oshun watched the demon curiously, taking note of his features through the water barrier between them. She looked into the golds, reds, and pinks of his eyes and took note in the shift of his muscles. The light tilt of his body. The elegant poise in his battle stance. She had seen men like him before but mainly from the outside lands far beyond her continent and a few times on the television shows that were broadcasted on the island. Oshun studied him a bit more but said nothing. She searched for something her father had seen and what she found…she did not need to look far. He looked tired.
No.
He was tired.
He was also sick.
Oshun dropped her other hand and her barrier fell with it. Her violet eyes faded into shimmery browns. His clawed hand retracted slowly but he remained vigilant for an attack. His aura remained the aggressor despite her lowering her own defenses. Oshun gazed at him again, this time without the aquatic veil blocking her view. Cool droplets came down onto the earth and splashed at their bare feet into puddles. She looked him over, now able to see the demon her father let seek refuge on the mountain top. Sesshomaru stood before her in long white pants that stopped to his ankles and his muscular chest was exposed to her view. Magenta markings lined his torso and shoulders in angular brush strokes as if hand painted by an artist. His pale skin was a bit reddened from the obvious prolonged exposure to the sun. Patches of skin shinned with a tanned undertone. Long silver hair layered around him and fell in silky strands. But his eyes like liquid amber…
Oshun blinked and inhaled deeply to clear her mind. His energy had flexed and covered the area during their brief standoff. She closed her eyes…a curious reaction from Sesshomaru's perspective as he continued to glare upon her; waiting to see what she would do. After a minute had passed, she opened her eyes again. Her gaze had softened from their focused intensity before. She shook her head and brushed a few locks back behind her pierced ear. Baubles and shells danced around her as she seemed to gather herself then. Her hands raised up to rest on her hips as she tilted her head.
"Obatala cannot come to see you today." She voiced. "He has sent me, Oshun, his daughter in his stead. You are in need are you not?"
Sesshomaru stiffened and dropped his arm and relaxing his clawed fingers. He inspected her silently, taking in her words as they came. She was speaking in her native ancient dialect. He focused on her words as they registered in his mind that was working overtime these days. He looked her over and could see her father's features in her face. Sesshomaru's nose could not pick up her family's origin due to the intense magic that surrounded her. The resemblance was there as he studied her features. His angular nose and defined jaw line lifted round eyes and full pink lips. Features that must have come from her mother's side. Her skin shimmered from the spray of water that had fallen onto her skin. The ancient depth to her eyes left his spirit feeling uneasy. Much like the spirit of her father's when he first came across him. But unlike Obatala, she did not exactly have her father's serenity. He watched silently as she turned her back to him and walked towards the shack steps.
Sesshomaru moved quickly in the front of her path as she came closer to the ancient hut. His chest came to her front and a squeal came from her lips at his sudden movement. A blur was seen before he appeared in front of her. His hand reached out to grab her wrist as he opened his mouth to question her actions. His defenses were up on high alert especially against the magic that had his instincts blaring warnings in his mind. Quicker than both could process, her hand came out and her lips were moving. Her hand hit him hard in his chest where his heart sat. A flash of yellow where her hand made contact erupted between her palm and his chest. His aura flared and his eyes grew bright red. His claws outstretched on his other hand and moved to attack but he couldn't move.
His eyes widened feeling a foreign sensation creep inside of him. His hand held her wrist tightly in his grasped in the air near his shoulder. He was unable to tighten or move his talons to slice into her wrist. A paralysis of sorts that had him feeling weak as seconds flew by. The hand that was holding her wrist shook, showing the power struggle between his determination and her magic.
Oshun stood still, captivated by the red in his eyes and the strength in his aura. He was lethal and highly intelligent. She could see it all in his spirit. His anger was at the surface and she panicked when he moved so quickly. She hadn't expected him to blur before her. Regret filled her but the damage was done. Her father was sure to find out what she had done to his guest. Then he really will not take a break or let alone leave their island to go live on the mainland. She watched in horror as her magic took hold and the mighty demon dropped to his knees. Rage apparent on his face as a loud snarl ripped from his throat.
"I'm so sorry!" She apologized as he sat before her growling and snarling at her. "You just can't jump out at people like that. Especially here! We're here to help you-"
His hands came down into the dirt to support his weight from crashing to the earth. His features felt stiff and his aura was wildly flailing about his angrily. The desire to shift into his demonic form, called to him however he couldn't complete the transformation. Sharp nails dug into the moist dirt. His pants became dirtied from the muddy water beneath him. An angry hiss ripped from his lips as he bared his fangs at her. His body shook as he focused with all of his energy to stay upwards. His vision began to blur and everything began to swim.
Honey. Milk. Rain. Spice.
His released a heavy breath as beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. His hair fell around him in waves, shielding his enraged face from her view. His nose focused on the scent to ground himself before his enemy. A soft jingle of bells caught his attention. A warm arm came underneath his chest and pulled his arm around small shoulders. He turned his head to see between the silvery threads of his hair the woman he wanted to destroy. His snarled but couldn't do anything. A frustrated pressure filled his chest as he willed his body to listen to his command.
"I promise you. I will fix this and heal you." Her voice tried desperately to soothe. She made sure she had his form securely on her shoulders so that she could carry his weight before he completely fell over and knocked them both down. "I promise." She lifted him with gritted teeth. Her feet stood apart to build support in her core as she lifted the heavier male on her shoulders. His torso was wet now from the sweat he was producing at trying to fight the effects of her magic and the other issues that ailed him that he had been trying to fight. Her hand slipped at bit as she tried to push against his chest to get him situated further along her shoulders. She could feel his body going laxed as she made a step forward towards the hut.
"Wre…" He managed to muster trying to gain clarity as his mind began to drown in a thick fog.
Sesshomaru closed his eyes to focus on his fingers and feet. His fingers flexed to reach for her but failed. His head lolled to the side to rest against hers. His hands had become laxed and his arms hung like dead weights. His feet moved to walk but he was slowly losing feeling in his legs now. His weight was fully resting upon the cursed witch. He had been distracted by her attracting presence and her disarming ambiguity that it cost him. A curse left his lips at another failure to add to the seemingly ever-growing list. Her words of healing and promised rumbled through him. His head turned to look at her. His nose now pressed into the soft locs of hair that carried her scent. His nose nuzzled into the soft strands and his body somewhat jerked. A contradiction warred in his body that had him seeing double now. The desire to sizzle her limbs off with his poisonous claws clashed with the want to pull her into him so his nose could follow the soft long trails of scents that captivated him.
Honey. Milk. Rain. Spice.
"Beautiful." He muttered against her warm skin.
Oshun moved slowly and steadily towards the steps, holding onto the demon tightly. His silky long hair stuck to the side of her face and arms. Heated skin pressed against hers as she took one step up the porch at a time. She prayed to the almighty for strength and patience as Sesshomaru slowly moved his feet underneath him to help her carry him in the hut. Their bare feet slapped against the old wooden floors with each step they took. Prayers left her mouth in hopes that her father wouldn't race up the mountain with his warriors to investigate and witness the mess she made. Sesshomaru's aura was like a beacon of raw energy now that just rolled in waves off of him. It lost its volatile edge but the anger present would draw anyone's attention.
"Please. I promise. You will be healed. Just help me get you inside." Oshun muttered as she stumbled a bit against the threshold. Her hand reached out to open the screen door and using the acrobatics her mother taught her, she managed to hold the door open with her foot and moved forward inside by turning her hips sideways. They both managed to get by without nicking their skin on anything. Oshun's eyes peered into the darkness, searching for the bedroom or anything to lay him down on. The hut looked different somewhat with the extra items neatly placed along the walls. Her eyes adjusted as she moved them further into the hold house. Using her memory, she hoisted him up further on her shoulders and listened to the muffled growling in her ears.
His nose suddenly found the crux in her neck. As Sesshomaru moved his nose along the column of her neck, her footing almost failed her. When his nose pressed into her hair and skin there, she stilled from the contact. Growls and mumbled words that she couldn't understand fell from his lips. His aura shakily began to lighten, indicating that he was soon to be dead to the world. Heated breath grazed her sensitive skin and sent goosebumps down her arms. Her hair felt like it was getting pulled a bit as he continued to nuzzle his nose there. Oshun stumbled a bit from the impromptu contact and a gasp left her lips. Her hand felt along the shapely muscles of his chest and a blush came to her cheeks as she willed herself not to focus on his actions. "Come on big guy." She muttered, taking a big breath and heaving him forward. She was losing him. His body was almost completely laxed.
Finally, they managed to get to room in the back of the hut where she found a large pile of furs, cloths, and other fabrics laying in the center. She recognized the cloths from the soft fabrics and geometric patterns used by her people. But the furs weren't anything she had seen but were a welcome reprieve none the less. Pulling him further along into the room, they made it to the edge before his weight and the ending of her suffering met in a collision that caused her knees to buckle. She fell with a shout, down onto the furs with Sesshomaru's large form falling onto the side of her torso. She grunted as her body bounced from the underlying pallets underneath all the cloth. A prayer left her lips as the tension from her fall was softened by the bedding.
A grown was heard at her side and she quickly scrambled to the demons side. She rolled him onto his back on the soft furs to get a good look at him. Sweat layered him and his chest heaved to draw oxygen into his lungs. His bangs stuck to his forehead and his hair lay messily about. Oshun waved her hand and the lanterns flickered on in the room to provide light. Her big eyes grew wider, taking in his state. Lines underneath his eyes spoke of months passing without rest or sleep. His fingers moved to grip the throws underneath him. His nails punctured the fabric underneath him. His eyes were squeezed shut as he seemed to focus now on his current predicament.
Oshun looked him over with worry. Her lips moved with a prayer on her lips. Her confidence in her skills waned as it began to settle into her mind how truly unwell this demon was. She looked upon the crescent moon on his forehead and reached to touch it. She lightly tapped it and prayed while closing her eyes.
Anger. Uncertainty. Sorrow. Grief. Disease.
She gasped as she pulled away as if burned. Her eyes clashed with his own as he seemed to gather his wits about him. Sesshomaru's eyes had slowly begun to change into a mixture of pinks and golds as he stared up at her. A frown marred his features as he heaved on top of all the blankets. Oshun exhaled as she brushed his hair away from his face. "I-I will fix this." She whispered. "I promise."
Sesshomaru watched as she hovered over him with her finger pressed to his forehead where his birthright lay. The desire to lift his hand up was there but he found it was impossible to move now. His body felt hot with fever and it was proving hard to breathe. His heartbeat like drums in his ears. Drums that sounded oddly real and like the ones he had heard the people of this land play. The sound beat louder as he shook his head to dispel it. His mind began to race with unwanted memories as he thought over the last few months of hell he had gone through. Of watching similar symptoms plague his pack mates. Refusing to be weakened in this way, he instead focused on the scent of honey, milk, rain, and spice. His eyes focused on her concerned features.
Genuine concern reflected in her features that left her exposed to his gaze. The light of the embers flickered and illuminated them both to each other. Oshun's lips moved but Sesshomaru could barely make it out what she was saying. He eyes began to grow heavy and he squinted his eyes to focus on her words. Promises were made to him. Promises just like the ones her father made to him. Her father looked at him too with concerned features that had him scoffing at awhile back. But he had too much respect for Obatala, the being that gave him counsel when he needed it and a place of refuge. Obatala, the one that guarded the most ancient of traditions and conjured the spirits of the world to pay homage to the great Kami. Who retold stories of the firsts people and lessons from their arrogance as they tried to move throughout this world without respecting the blessings they were given. He was once one of those beings. Before his humbling.
Sesshomaru watched the woman now through wispy eyelashes. A cool pressure laid along his forehead and cheek causing him to go searching for it. His head turned into her palm and he sighed. "Why?" He managed to ask.
Oshun took one of the small shells from her hair and laid it upon his chest while praying. His question sat heavy on her heart as she focused her magic and faith on healing. But the uncertainty of the situation filled her. She could heal. She was really good at it. But healing spirits and at this magnitude. To call upon her faith to heal was proving to be an undertaking. This being needed real help. He needed the almighty. He needed her father to guide and heal him. Not her. She couldn't do it. The doubt in her abilities were visible now as she began to breathe erratically. Oshun looked him in his eyes noticing that he was soon to be taken from her.
She cupped his face hoping that the little contact would provide them both the answers and reassurance they needed. She opened her mouth and a small whine left her lips. Her mind saw things. Things she was sure he didn't want her to see. Things that left her speechless. Her heartbeat loudly in her ears. The drums echoed in her chest and began to grow as he settled into the furs. His body lay drenched before her. She quickly closed her mouth and eyes to gain a sense of calm before trying again. "Because if I don't…I may lose my father too." She muttered before tapping the shell placed onto his chest.
Sesshomaru's eyes grew heavy as the sound of drums stopped. He fought the sleep that commanded him, but he soon lost the battle. His limbs grew numb and the lump in his chest evaporated. He blinked a few times to capture the personification of water as she stared back at him with a look that he found he didn't like. The fear there was unacceptable. He would not go into the darkness with that look on her face, haunting him. So instead, he closed his eyes and remembered the look of determination she had when they locked gazes for the first time. He let mingle with the other pleasant memories shared with his pack mates before the world stood still. The scent of honey, milk, rain, and flora washed over him. He would take it with him and hope that it would fill his lungs, in the next world or wherever fate would send him.
