Chapter 74 - Poison
"Underneath he's a boiling, angry, seething, mass…"
Sesshomaru felt his teeth grind. I'm not all those things. And yet he'd hit Jaken, without any remorse, for saying just that. But somewhere, before Rin, he had been all of those things. There was no question, it was a simple fact, he knew it. His only lot in life had been the path of supreme conquest, nothing had existed beyond that goal. Nothing else had mattered, until her eyes, had changed his soul in a profound and unexplained way.
A sudden scent teased his nose, drawing his attention back into the present moment. Beyond the trees, thin lines of what appeared to be smoke wafted into the air. That isn't smoke. His gold eyes narrowed as he watched the thin clouds waft into the air in lazy circles from somewhere up ahead.
"Jaken." He didn't wait for the imp to respond. "Take Rin deep into the woods, where the air is clean, and wait for me." Sputtering, the imp hurried, hands shaking as he clutched at the dragon's reins to obey.
"What's wrong Lord Sesshomaru!?" Rin asked, her hands clasped against her chest, brown eyes wide with concern.
"There's poison in the air."
"Right away my Lord! Come Rin! We must go where it's safe." Jaken pulled at A-un's reins frantically, turning them back toward the direction they had come from.
"I'd rather go with Lord Sesshomaru." Rin said softly, her gaze on the yokai, as Jaken led her away.
Sesshomaru cast a glance over his shoulder, similarly watching as Jaken whisked Rin away toward the thick woods behind. Closing his eyes, he renewed his focus. I can't take her with me. The poison would kill her. It's too strong for any human to withstand. Without further hesitation, Sesshomaru headed directly toward the cloud of poison. It was unlikely to be Naraku himself, but perhaps one of his newly resurrected underlings could give a clue as to the demon's whereabouts.
Cautious of any potential traps, but unafraid, Sesshomaru moved steadily toward the wafting clouds that poisoned the air. It wasn't long until he emerged into what appeared to have been a village square. The entire village was covered in the toxic fog. His gold eyes swept the visible area, and found multiple dead humans, strewn about the streets. So… he's killing innocents. He walked toward the nearest one, when another scent caught his attention.
It was the smell of that girl who traveled with InuYasha. Kagome. It was there, mixed with the scent of graveyard soil and heavy poison gas. InuYasha's scent was notably absent. The yokai examined the immediate area again, but didn't see the girl who dressed so strangely amongst the dead. Someone must have taken her. Sesshomaru's eyebrows pulled together. Where are you InuYasha? It is your duty to protect those in your care. Irritation at his brothers lackadaisical attitude flared within him. It should not fall to me to clean up InuYasha's failures. Yet, Sesshomaru found himself searching for Kagome's scent amidst the poison, and following it through the village. Whoever took her, has to be one of the resurrected specters who have been employed by Naraku. It only makes sense to follow.
Sesshomaru followed the scent through the village, and out into the forest beyond. The smoky air fell away, remaining concentrated in the village. The path to the woods was clear of all poisonous gasses, though lingering remnants of the scent lingered, mingling with Kagome's scent. Why did he kidnap the human girl? It makes no sense. Sudden possibility dawned on him. Unless… Naraku intends to use Kagome against InuYasha, just as he tried to use Rin against me. That sent his blood roiling with anger. Women and children should be left alone, they have no place in a battle between true warriors. Only a coward would use them as a pawn in battle.
Amongst the forest trees, the scent of poison became stronger and stronger, until finally a hut emerged from the foliage a short distance away. Burning poison surrounded the building, presumably preventing ingress from anyone who wasn't welcome. Such poison will not hinder me. He approached the building from the front, it appeared there had already been something of a battle. Part of the roof had been caved in.
"Kagome — though it pains me to say it, you are not fit to be my bride!" It was an adult male voice, which was immediately followed by the sound of Kagome whimpering, gasping for air.
What sort of deviant person did Naraku employ? Someone who would make a bride of a young woman, who isn't of age — and not only that, is unwilling? The yokai lord stepped through the bamboo screen, the single room was filled with poisonous smoke. But there, in the middle of the room, a fat old man had his hands wrapped around Kagome's throat, attempting to choke the life from her.
"—your dowry of jewel shards shall still be mine!" The fat little man declared.
Anger burned hot through Sesshomaru's veins, as the girl struggled for air, her face so similar to Rin's. He found himself reacting without thought, his poison claws slashed through the back of the man, rending flesh from bone. An appropriate end, for him to die at my poison claws, someone who uses poison for devious purposes.
"Ohhh!" The man cried, as Sesshomaru's claws slashed him, flashing an eerie green glow through the smoke. The deviant's swollen fingers loosened from Kagome's throat, causing the human girl to inhale reflexively as oxygen became available to her again.
Sesshomaru watched in silent satisfaction, as the perverted poison master, fell to the side, blood saturated the white tunic he wore.