I Can Hear You

by LadyDaniTar

After the final battle with Naraku, Kagome can no longer hear. Struggling to find the remaining jewel shards she must find ways to communicate. An unlikely friendship blossoms with a normally silent Demon Lord as they both learn new things about each other. Could this new friendship become something more?

4. Chapter 4

Night had fallen and blanketed the land in darkness. Soon the stars will dance across the sky telling stories of great hunters and fallen Gods. It was Sesshoumaru's favorite time of day. The great dog demon let his body relax against a large oak tree, his swords laid neatly across his lap. The fire Jaken had lit for Rin was crackling in the background while the two ate their dinner. Calm nights like this were becoming rare and he wished to soak in as much as he could.

The sound of an unknown voice speaking loudly within the campsite sent Sesshoumaru into a panic. Jumping to his feet, sword in hand, he pinpointed the source of the disturbance. Rin was holding the strange black box the priestess had given her and was blushing in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry Lord Sesshoumaru. I didn't realize it would be so loud." Sensing no threat from the object he sheathed his weapon and took a seat next to the small girl.

"What is this item?" Rin allowed her lord to inspect the tablet with his hands and nose until he deemed it safe.

"Lady Kagome calls it a tabbet!" Rin quickly turned it back on but made sure the volume was much lower. "She let me borrow it and some books so I can learn to speak with her using my hands." The young girl then showed the demon a series of movements she had learned earlier in the day.

Sesshoumaru had studied many languages and cultures throughout his youth. He recalled the Greeks once using this method to communicate to those who could not hear. Had the priestess lost her hearing?

"Rin, is the priestess no longer able to hear?" A shake of the young girl's head confirmed his suspicions. Then why did her companions leave her in such a vulnerable state?

"She looked lonely today so I wanted to learn as much as I can so she will be happy again!" Rin showed the demon lord the different books she had and together they flipped through each one.

Even though the night no longer held the quiet peace Sesshoumaru enjoyed, he couldn't stop the small smile from spreading across his lips as his young ward played lesson after lesson for them before she fell asleep.