InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Mere Digression ❯ Part 7 ( Chapter 7 )

Disclaimer: Inuyasha and its characters are created by Rumiko Takahashi. This fanfiction has been written for entertainment purposes only and without intention of infringing upon any copyright.

 

Warning: Minimal plot with a lot of lemon. Do not read if you are underaged.

 

A/N: I know it's late. But at least it's here now, right? (smiles sheepishly). Anyway, thanks for all the reviews and I hope that you will enjoy this chapter.

 

 

A Mere Digression Part 7- by elle6778

 

 

 

What would he do, now that what they had assumed was no longer true? All this time, she had been under the impression that her actions were dictated by what Mukotsu had done to her. Sure there had been times when she had wondered about it, but to have it confirmed by Bokusenou was another matter altogether.

 

Then a deep voice broke through the silence.

 

“That conclusion in unsatisfactory.”

 

Kagome glanced sharply at Sesshoumaru, confused by his words. What did he mean by that?

 

“Oh?” The bark forming Bokusenou's features contorted into a thoughtful look. “I suppose it is possible that I missed something. In any case, as a miko, her blood alone would naturally dispose of any poison after some time.”

 

“Don't I need some spells or something?” Kagome asked slowly.

 

Bokusenou chuckled. “No. Any remnants of the poison would dissipate on its own.”

 

Somehow, his words did not make her feel any better. Instead, it made her feel as if she was about to lose something. She knew that her reaction was odd considering the circumstances but she could not help it.

 

Feeling rather bewildered, she asked, “So what do I do now?”

 

“Nothing.” A pause followed before the tree youkai continued, “Of course, while you are still experiencing the… effects, your taiyoukai would certainly be able to… assist.”

 

Kagome blushed to the roots of her hair. Bokusenou's insinuation was not lost on her, but why must he make it sound like Sesshoumaru was hers? The taiyoukai certainly did not belong to anyone, let alone her. Slanting a glance towards him, she noted that Sesshoumaru's expression was set in its usual unreadable mask but the way his jaw was twitching ever so slightly gave away his displeasure.

 

“Sesshoumaru?” she ventured hesitantly, wondering what he was thinking.

 

“We will leave now.”

Kagome's eyes widened. Leave? But what about the things Bokusenou had said?

 

The tree youkai chuckled. “Very well, then.”

 

Glancing from the amused Bokusenou to the impassive Sesshoumaru and then back to the tree youkai, Kagome sighed. Whatever it was, she had better just follow Sesshoumaru's lead. Perhaps he had a good reason for doubting Bokusenou.

 

“Thank you for your advice.”

 

“My pleasure, miko.”

 

Then she turned around to find that Sesshoumaru was already walking away from them, his steps swift and purposeful. Suddenly fearing that he might leave her behind, Kagome ran after him until she reached him.

 

Uncertain of his mood, she glanced up at his surreptitiously. Only his side profile was visible to her. But she could tell that he was angry. Was it because of what Bokusenou had said to them? Did Sesshoumaru feel as if he had been deceived or something? There was no way of guessing what the taiyoukai was thinking. The only way for her to find out was to ask him.

 

“Sesshoumaru?” she called out quietly.

 

He flicked a glance at her but said nothing.

 

Deciding to risk it, Kagome ventured, “What do you mean when you told Bokusenou that it was unsatisfactory? You don't believe him?”

 

His lips tightened visibly.

 

“Sesshoumaru?” she prompted quietly. “Please, I need to know what's going on.”

 

Stopping abruptly, the taiyoukai simply stared into the distance wordlessly. He appeared to be deep in thought. When he finally spoke, his voice was flat.

 

“It is inconceivable that we would willingly couple without external influences.”

 

When his words sank in, Kagome felt her heart twist. The meaning behind those words did not escape her. It should not surprise her. After all, it was no secret that Sesshoumaru despised humans.

 

But he could have fooled her, the way he behaved each time they had sex. It was as if he could not get enough of her. Maybe that was why it was so hard to believe that he was reluctant to do it in the first place.

 

Then something occurred to her.

 

The information they obtained from Bokusenou basically meant that she could go back to Inuyasha now. Sesshoumaru was under no obligation now to take care of her and would no doubt be pleased to be rid of her. So maybe Sesshoumaru was behaving so strange because he was waiting for her to say something about leaving. Her breath lodged painfully in the chest when she realized that this was the end for her and Sesshoumaru.

 

She closed her eyes briefly and then drew a deep breath before she spoke. “Bokusenou said that the poison is almost gone now. It's probably alright if I go back to Inuyasha and the rest, don't you think?”

 

“No.”

 

Her eyes widened in shock. “W-What? B-But-”

 

“You're not to return… yet.”

 

She blinked at his curt response but before she could open her mouth to ask why, the forbidding expression on his face stilled her tongue. He was angry about something. Sighing in resignation, she decided that she should just let him calm down a little before bringing up the topic again.

 

His refusal to allow her to go back to Inuyasha baffled her. It was almost as if he wanted to keep her by his side. But that was ridiculous. Sesshoumaru felt nothing for her. Except for lust, maybe.

 

But what did she feel for Sesshoumaru? It was hard to say because she really did not know him that well. However, all the preconceptions she had of him prior to this was completely destroyed after their recent interactions. Sesshoumaru might be ruthless, but he was far from cruel, at least not without a reason. His sense of honor which had prompted him to help her was another thing she admired about the taiyoukai. And needless to say, her body craved his from the moment they had touched from the first time.

 

Why was she thinking of such things anyway? It was not as if there was a possibility of a future with Sesshoumaru beyond what they had now. To think that way was to invite trouble and heartache.

 

Kagome stiffened. Heartache? Did that mean that somewhere along the way, she had developed some feelings for Sesshoumaru? A feeling of panic rose in her. Surely she could not have fallen for Sesshoumaru in such a short time. It was not possible, right?

 

“Come, Miko.”

 

She blinked out of her contemplations to find that he had extended an arm to her, fully expecting her to join him on his cloud.

 

“Where are we going?” she asked as she accepted his hand and stepped on.

 

Sesshoumaru did not answer. He simply stared into the distance and guided his cloud up into the air.

 

 

000

 

000

 

 

They had been traveling together for the last few days and much to Sesshoumaru's consternation, he had no specific destination in mind. He did not understand why he was compelled to continue traveling like this with the miko, especially after she had asked to be returned to his hanyou brother. His own actions puzzled him and he did not like it.

 

Their journey, however, had been rudely interrupted by the appearance of the one called Sara. Once a human wench who was infatuated with him, she had been foolish enough to allow herself to be possessed by demons.

 

To gain his affections, she had thought to steal Tetsusaiga for him, not knowing that he had decided that the blade was not something he required any longer.

 

Predictably, Inuyasha had turned up. The awkwardness and tension between the miko and the hanyou's group was palpable when they had laid eyes on each other. However, setting aside their own problems, they had fought the human-turned-demon until nothing was left of her but ashes.

 

While the rest watched on, Sesshoumaru stared down silently at the pile of ashes. He recalled the beautifully haunting sound of her flute and the thought drew his attention to the discarded instrument laying some distance away.

 

“Kagome.”

 

Sesshoumaru did not need to look at the hanyou to know that he was still angry with the miko. However, his tones were not as harsh this time, leading Sesshoumaru to believe that Inuyasha had calmed down somewhat from his previous rage.

 

“Inuyasha,” the miko acknowledged in a quiet voice.

 

A moment of silence passed before Inuyasha spoke again. “Where is Shippou?”

“He's safe with Rin and Jaken.”

 

Sesshoumaru glanced out of the corner of his eyes to find a look of surprise on the hanyou's face. For a moment, it appeared as if Inuyasha would lose his temper again but somehow, he managed to control it.

 

Smirking inwardly, Sesshoumaru wondered if it was a sign that Inuyasha was finally maturing. It almost seemed as if Inuyasha had learnt something from his previous outburst.

 

“Come back with us.” The hanyou's tone was gruff.

 

“Kagome-chan, Inuyasha told us what happened. Come back and we'll find a way to fix it together, alright?” This time the plea came from the taijiya.

 

The miko hesitated and Sesshoumaru immediately felt the weight of her stare on his back. It was clear that she was seeking his opinion. However, like before, this decision was something she had to make on her own. He could only offer to assist in her quest to cure this poison, therefore if she wished to reject it, he would not stand in her way.

 

Bokusenou's words came to him then, mocking his thoughts. However, Sesshoumaru brushed them to the back of his mind. The tree youkai was wrong. If the miko was truly free of the poison, then why were they still so drawn towards each other? Therefore, Bokusenou must have made a mistake. And that meant that he, Sesshoumaru, would continue to travel with the miko until she was rid of the poison.

 

“Kagome,” Inuyasha prompted impatiently.

 

A heavy sigh left her before she replied, “Soon, Inuyasha. Just… not yet.”

 

“Why?” The taijiya sounded bewildered. “Listen, if you don't want to be near Inuyasha, then Miroku and I will help you.”

 

The miko interjected quickly, holding her hands up for emphasis. “It's not like that. There are… things… that none of you could help with.”

 

A terse silence descended upon them when the meaning of her words became clear. Sesshoumaru turned away from the pile of ashes to face the group of uncomfortable hanyou and humans, noting that they were looking everywhere but at the miko.

 

Oddly, he was rather displeased by the sight. The miko was simply attempting to rectify her own issues and therefore should not be subjected to such a reaction from her so-called friends. But then again, humans in general had always been uncomfortable with their own bodies.

 

It was then that he decided to speak.

 

“Leave.”

 

His uncompromising tone was enough to snap their attentions to him. For a while, they only stared at him, their features displaying identical looks of surprise. Then, as he expected, Inuyasha was the first one to break the silence.

 

“Stay out of this, Sesshoumaru.”

 

Keeping him expression impassive, Sesshoumaru was about to respond when the miko interjected, “Please don't fight. I know you're all worried but honestly, I'm okay.”

 

“Kagome…” the taijiya began slowly.

 

Wearing an obviously forced smile, the miko shook her head. “Don't worry. I'll find you once this whole thing is fixed.”

 

Inuyasha's expression turned impatient. “Look-”

 

“Inuyasha,” the houshi interjected abruptly, pulling the hanyou aside. “Let's go. I'm sure Kagome knows what she's doing.”

 

Inuyasha averted his eyes. His voice was tight when he finally gritted out, “Keh! If she wants to stay with the bastard, then she can stay!”

 

With that, the hanyou spun around and walked away briskly, leaving the rest to follow him. However, before they did, the houshi and the taijiya both turned to the miko, casting her encouraging smiles.

 

“Come back soon,” the taijiya said.

 

The miko nodded. “I will.”

 

Sesshoumaru found the houshi's gaze on him. “I trust you will keep her safe, Sesshoumaru-sama?”

 

“Hn.”

 

Evidently, that was sufficient to convince the houshi, for the human nodded before turning around to follow the hanyou. The taijiya went shortly after bestowing the miko with a hug.

 

Sesshoumaru waited until he could no longer detect their presences before he took a few steps towards the flute laying on the ground. Picking it up, he allowed his gaze to run over the smooth wood and then brought it to the remains of its owner. He knelt down and pushed the flute into the pile of ashes.

 

This would honor the memory of the human who had been manipulated by those despicable demons, the type of demons which spawned ones such as Naraku.

 

When he stood up, Sesshoumaru found the miko's eyes on him, and there was something familiar about the manner which she was looking at him.

 

“What now?” she asked.

 

“Come,” he intoned, wishing to leave before Inuyasha thought to return.

 

As they walked in the opposite direction to the one Inuyasha and his companions had taken, the miko's expression returned to him. Puzzled, Sesshoumaru continued to contemplate the matter. They had reached the edge of a cliff when Sesshoumaru finally realized what it was.

 

Now that he thought about it, one could not miss the similarities between the expression on the miko's face and the one worn by Sara. Could it be that the miko was similarly infatuated with him?

 

He immediately tensed. No. This is unacceptable. He would not tolerate such… affections from the miko. He was only involved in this because honor demanded that he did so. Such a union would never be successful, anyhow. She was a miko and he was a taiyoukai. They were at two extreme ends of their own species.

 

He would have to discourage her, whatever it took.

 

Stopping abruptly, he turned to face her and cautioned, “Miko… Do not apply your affections on this Sesshoumaru.”

 

 

000

 

000

 

Kagome's steps ground to a halt at Sesshoumaru's sudden proclamation. She did not know what had brought this on but the forbidding look on his face told her everything. His quiet words only reinforced it.

 

Was she so transparent? How could he tell?

 

The sting of rejection was more painful that she had expected, even though she had not pursued him or anything like that. Still, she should have expected it. After all, the last few days had confirmed to her that she was growing more and more attached to the taiyoukai. It was so utterly stupid of her but she could not help it.

 

Sesshoumaru was perceptive and must have caught on to the fact that she was a little attracted to him. Faced with something like this, there was only one thing he could do. He was a pure-blooded taiyoukai who had the history of despising anything weak. To him, humans were weak. So it was understandable that he would not reciprocate her little crush.

 

Was it really just a crush? It felt like something more than that. Something which he had just broken with his words and was now crashing down on her like an avalanche. Weighing her down, forcing her to sag into a puddle of confusion and disappointment.

 

Her eyes widened when a sudden thought occurred to her.

 

She could not have possibly fallen in love with Sesshoumaru in such a short time, could she? If that was the case, then she was in serious trouble. Why must this always happen to her? First it was Inuyasha and Kikyo. Now it was Sesshoumaru. Would she be forever doomed to seek those who she could not attain?

 

Stoic and reserved, the taiyoukai barely paid her any attention unless it was something to do with her predicament. Yes, he spoke to her to inform her that they were resting and such, but nothing beyond that. The only time he exhibited any kind of real response was during their coupling. Then, he would growl as his face contorted into an almost painful expression as he pounded into her. He was distant and she did not expect otherwise.

 

After all, they were effectively strangers brought together by a cruel twist of fate.

 

No, Sesshoumaru was right to caution her. He was just trying to make sure that she did not make a fool out of herself. She had to grow up and stop having these silly little crushes on those she traveled with.

 

But something told her that the situation would get worse if she continued to travel with him. It would be like Inuyasha all over again.

 

This time, she would have to be stronger.

 

Straightening in determination, Kagome lifted her eyes to the taiyoukai's golden ones.

 

“I understand, Sesshoumaru,” she said slowly.

 

“Hn.”

 

Sesshoumaru stared at her for a long while. It was as if he was trying to see through her. Kagome let her gaze sweep over his face, taking note of the perfectly smooth features marred only by the markings of his heritage. Sesshoumaru was truly beautiful and her heart twisted a little at the thought of leaving him. But what else could she do?

 

Nothing.

 

But before she left, she wanted to touch him once more.

 

Just once more.

 

000

 

000

 

 

Sesshoumaru did not know what to make of the play of emotions on her features. It was too unfamiliar to him, too… human. But what was most unexpected was the resolute expression she now wore.

 

His eyes widened slightly when she took a step towards him, her gaze fixed firmly to his face. Her intent was clear by the way her pheromones washed over him as the distance between them shrank. He had just warned her to distance herself emotionally from him and now she wished to copulate?

 

He stilled completely when her hands reached out to his chest. The heat of her palms seared him as those small appendages slid up to his shoulders.

 

“Sesshoumaru…” she murmured. “Do you think we could…”

 

She left the sentence unfinished but shivers were already skating up his spine at the sound of her soft voice. Wanting to touch her, his hand went around her waist and roughly pulled her towards him. He heard a sharp intake of breath from her when their bodies met.

 

This was why.

 

This was why Bokusenou was wrong about the poison. The heat between him and the miko could not be explained any other way. He had just warned her and yet, she still wished to be close to him. If the miko was not still affected, she would not have approached him.

 

Would she?

 

His thoughts were suspended when he gazed upon her face. The desire in those soft brown orbs sent a surge of masculine pride through him. She wanted him and from the quickening pulses of his blood, he knew that he reciprocated fully, even though he knew that he should be distancing himself from her.

 

Sesshoumaru kept his eyes fixed to hers as she trailed her fingers up to his neck to pull his head down. He offered no resistance, merely lowering himself until her breath ghosted against his lips. A tentative flick of her tongue moistened his lower lip, sending a shiver up his spine.

 

With a low growl, he pressed down, capturing her tongue and then proceeded to draw her into a deeper kiss. It occurred to him rather absently that kisses were not something he had particularly enjoyed until the miko came along. But now, with her soft lips sighing into his and her tongue sweeping against his, it was clear that he had grown rather fond of the activity.

 

As fond as he was of it, he needed more. With that thought, Sesshoumaru moved his hand between them. In moments, he had divested her of her attire completely, leaving the miko flushed and with lips parted in want.

 

His body reacted instantly at the sight of her standing there nude, staring at him with those eyes. The scent of her arousal was strong, reaching him in waves. He wanted nothing more than to throw her down to the ground and drive himself into her until he was sated but he refrained from doing so.

 

Instead, he simply reached a hand between her legs. A gasp let her the moment he came into contact with her slippery wetness. She was ready for him, he thought as his fingers rubbed circles around her nub. More than ready, he added, sliding a digit up into her.

 

“Wait,” she whispered breathily. “I want to undress you.”

 

He stilled, surprised by her words. But he did not stop her when she reached for him. The pressure in his loins grew further as she took hold of his kimono and slowly slid the fabric down his shoulders, planting hungry kisses as she exposed his skin. Her tongue flicked over his flat nipples before she moved down to nip at his stomach softly. His entire body shuddered at the sensation.

 

Then his top was completely bared and her fingers loosened the knot of his hakama, freeing him from the fabric. Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth as he felt her touch on his hardened flesh. He glanced down to find her eyeing his arousal with eager fascination as she circled him. And when she brushed her thumb over the sensitive head, a hiss of pleasure escaped him.

 

Sesshoumaru tensed in a mixture of astonishment and anticipation as the miko dropped to her knees before him, her intentions clear. She had only done this once before, but he recalled what her lips had felt like around him and the urge to feel it again was strong.

 

The first flick of her tongue sent a jolt of heat through him. The second flick of her tongue caused him to throw his head back, just before he felt himself being engulfed fully within her mouth. He was unable to refrain from groaning out loud at the sensation brought on by her insistent sucking and licking, but he knew that if it went on for longer, it would soon end.

 

Not intending to allow such a thing to happen, he reached down with his Mokomoko-sama and forcefully pulled her up. Spinning her so that she was facing away from him, he buried his nose in her hair, taking in the peach scent that was uniquely hers. His hand skimmed up her flat stomach, pausing briefly to cup the underside of her breast.

 

Her breath hitched as he allowed a thumb to graze a stiffened peak. Smirking in satisfaction at her instantaneous reaction, he rolled her nipple between his fingers, drawing more cries of pleasure from her.

 

“Sesshoumaru-”

 

Her words were cut off when he lowered his head to suck on the exposed skin of her neck. He could feel his fangs lengthening in response to his primal instincts, but Sesshoumaru dismissed it. The taste of her skin was something he could never get enough of but he would not allow himself to mark her.

 

“Sesshoumaru! Please!”

 

He lifted his head, but his fingers did not cease their ministrations. “What is it, Miko?”

 

She pressed herself backwards, grinding her rounded backside against his throbbing arousal. He gritted his teeth, trying to maintain some form of control of his body as her movements drove him closer to distraction.

 

“I need more,” came her soft admission.

 

Deciding to acquiesce to her request, Sesshoumaru took his hand off her breast and slid it down to her hips to hold her in place.

 

Without a single warning, he slid between her parted legs and drove his entire length into her.

 

A strangled cry of pleasure broke from her as her slippery walls rippled around him, drawing a growl from his throat. He had stilled within her, but he could feel himself throbbing in reaction of being wrapped in her slick heat and his fingers tightened on the curve of her hip.

 

Succumbing to an uncharacteristic need to speak, he hissed quietly, “Do you know how wet you are?”

 

His words brought forth a shudder from her. “W-What?”

 

His only response was to withdraw slowly and then drive himself back into her swiftly. Her wet flesh clamped around him, as if it was not willing to let him go. The urge to move was strong and he finally gave in to it fully, driving hard and fast into her.

 

“D-Don't stop,” she breathed out.

 

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and gritted his teeth as he thrust up into her repeatedly, feeling her tight, slick sheath clamping around him with each movement. Her hair bounced, sliding past her shoulders to her front, revealing the graceful curve joining her neck and shoulder. Unable to help himself, Sesshoumaru pressed his gritted teeth against that tempting junction. Once again, the urge to mark her was strong. In fact, it was stronger than what he had ever felt.

 

Why was he so drawn to her? Was why his instincts clamoring for him to make her his?

 

The clamping of her inner muscles around his hardened flesh broke his train of thought and Sesshoumaru growled out loud at the sensation. Small cries of pleasure was escaping her lips with every breath as she pushed back against him insistently, telling him that she was close.

 

He sped up, pumping harder into her, growling low in his throat as he did so. The sound of her voice calling his name in breathless whispers was sending waves of possessiveness coursing through him. At that very moment, he wanted nothing more than to remain in the position, buried within her heated sheath.

 

It occurred to him that something about their coupling was different this time, although he was unable pinpoint what it was. His mind was too distracted by the sensations coursing through his body for him to make much sense of anything except the miko's body.

 

Holding her securely around the waist with his Mokomoko-sama, he reached around and found her curls. His fingers combed through them until he felt her slick, swollen nub.

 

“Sesshoumaru!” she choked out as he caught her sensitive flesh between his fingers.

 

It was not long before he felt her muscles contracting around him, pushing him to his limits. As she cried out in the throes of her climax, he sped up, his movements becoming erratic as he too, reached the peak. With a snarl, he emptied himself into her, his body jerking at each pulse of pleasure.

 

His heart thudding in the aftereffects of their coupling, Sesshoumaru pressed his face to her neck until he felt calmer. Then, noticing that he was still buried within her, he slowly withdrew.

 

As always, they dressed in silence. But Sesshoumaru could not help but notice the surreptitious look the miko was casting him. It was a troubled, but thoughtful look. Why was she looking at him in such a manner?

 

When she was dressed fully, she sank down to the ground to stare out into the sky. From their location on top of the cliff, they could see the sun setting in the distance. Without a word, Sesshoumaru joined her. They sat in silence as the sun continued its descend.

 

Then the miko broke the silence.

 

“You know, Sesshoumaru. I think you might me right about warning me earlier.”

 

His eyes widened at her words.

 

Her lips twisted slightly, almost in self-mockery. “I don't know how you feel, but I think I feel more for you than just…” She gestured in the space between them before she continued, “…just this.”

 

He frowned. Surely she would not persist in her affections after what he had said.

 

“Miko…”

“Hear me out just this once,” she interjected quickly. Then, taking a deep breath, she continued, “I don't expect anything from you, but I cannot lie to myself and I cannot lie to you like this. I can't pretend that I'm feeling nothing for you. And whatever you say, I know that you're affected… somewhat.”

 

He stared at her, his entire body still. Allowing himself to be completely consumed by the overwhelming lust for her during their sessions was already difficult for him to accept. Then, knowing that she was growing emotionally attached told him that he should caution her and he had done so. The last thing he expected now was to hear this admission from the miko.

 

She turned away from him to stare into the distance before she continued, “But like I said before, I don't expect you to do anything about it. I just want to get this off my chest even though you don't feel anything for me.”

 

Did he feel anything for her apart from lust? He could admit that he was attracted to her physically. Was there something more to it? Was that why he felt a sudden wash of warmth at her admission?

 

However, something told him that time had run out for them. Her words earlier had carried an odd note of finality in them. If he had to guess, he would say that she was contemplating leaving him to return to Inuyasha. He should be pleased because it meant that he would be free of this obligation.

 

However, Sesshoumaru felt nothing like that.

 

They continued to stare out into the sunset, but there was an odd tension in the air now.

 

“I know that if we continue to travel together, things are going to get complicated. So, I'm going to go back to Inuyasha.”

 

Sesshoumaru felt his jaw twitch at the verbal confirmation of his suspicion. The first thing which crossed his mind was to stop her from leaving, to forcibly keep her by his side. However, such a thing was dishonorable. The only reason that they were together was because he wished to rectify the situation for both of them. Therefore, he had no reason to force her to remain if she wished otherwise.

 

“Hn,” was his only response.

 

Eyes still fixed into the horizon, she continued quietly, “Thank you. For everything. Inuyasha and the rest wouldn't travel at night like this, so they would have set up camp somewhere nearby. I'll find them.”

 

Uncertain how to respond, he simply remained silent. She was leaving and it was clear that she did not expect him to follow.

 

“If it is not too much trouble, can you send Shippou back to us?”

 

“Hn.”

 

She nodded absently. Then her small frame shook as she took a deep breath. The air around him shifted as she stood up abruptly.

 

“Goodbye, Sesshoumaru.”

 

With that, she spun around and began to walk away. Sesshoumaru allowed his eyes to follow her movements. Slowly, her form became smaller and smaller until she entered the forest and out of his sight.

 

Sesshoumaru sat there long after her scent had faded in the breeze.

 

He sat there even after the sun had completely disappeared down the horizon, only to rise again. The passage of time did not mean anything to him. Suddenly, everything seemed so bland, so monotonous. He would not deceive himself. He knew that the reason behind it was the miko's departure.

 

It had begun as a mere digression from the norm.

 

But now, it could no longer be described as such.

 

 

000

 

000

 

A/N: And that's the penultimate chapter of this story. The next will be the last. As always, please review if you could. Thanks!