InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Alone till Love ❯ The Help ( Chapter 21 )

Mia: Hey there everyone. were sorry not to have acknowledged the question we received from Parsnip until now. We've just realized, much to my dismay, that everyone must be wondering the same thing. So, anyway, here goes:

 

I suppose you could consider Kai (and Tsume, who is dead from the beginning) a character merely there to tie everything together and get the plot moving. Basically, Kai and his dearly departed father, Tsume, are characters merely there to lure Kouwyn and Kougen out of the story, re-introduce the fact that Naraku is working under Auron (an example of Auron's extreme power).There is also the fact that Chito is a traitor, working under Auron, and is killed for this - which is all the result of the introduction of Kai and Tsume.

 

Thanks for helping us to clear that up, Parsnip!

 

Anyway, sorry for the long intro - enjoy the new chapter!

 

Chapter 21: The Help

 

The morning had come swiftly. Kagome had awoke to find a sleeping Sesshomaru o her right. She had never before imagined seeing him asleep - both vulnerable and elegant, as he slept against the rough bark of a large tree. She watched him intently for a full five minutes. She tried to divert her eyes as he began to stir, but she could not.

 

His eye's bright, amber eyes opened slowly, to find her staring directly at him.

 

“Good morning.” He said, not in the least bit disturbed by her intense stare. Kagome opened her mouth, preparing to speak, but the words died on her lips. Sesshomaru got to his feet and glanced around, in search of Riku. He had a few questions in mind…Unfortunately, the raven-haired demon was nowhere in sight. Sesshomaru inhaled, trying to pinpoint his scent, but Riku was evidently not in the area.

 

“Would you like to bathe?” Kagome questioned Sesshomaru, climbing to her feet and continuing to watch Sesshomaru rather fixedly. Sesshomaru nodded. Kagome turned her back to him, kneeling as she began to rummage through her pack.

 

“I've some shampoo and conditioner in here somewhere…soap, as well.” She said, half to herself. Sesshomaru waited patiently for her, silently wondering what exactly “shampoo and conditioner” were. He thought of asking, but such a thought was immediately dismissed.

 

Kagome straightened up, with two large bottles, a small box and two towels in her hands. “I'd like to bathe as well, if you don't mind.” She said, hesitantly. Sesshomaru merely nodded once again. Kagome smiled.

 

The two made their way silently towards the nearby river, each in thought. The sun was growing high as they reached the river. “Would you like to use the shampoo and such first?” Kagome asked politely, as they came to the shore of the river. Sesshomaru stared at Kagome, unsure as to what he should say.

 

“Shampoo and conditioner are products from my era of time that are used on hair. Soap, I'm sure you are aware of what that is.” Kagome offered after a moment, smiling at Sesshomaru. The demon nodded once again.

 

“Thank you.” He replied. She handed him the bottles the small box containing soap, and a towel gently.

 

The slightest pink tinge became evident on Kagome's fair cheeks as their hands brushed each other. Sesshomaru turned silently from Kagome and walked down the shore, bright in contrast to the dense, waist-high plants beside the river.

 

Kagome also turned, heading in the opposite direction. She sighed as she came to an appropriate place to bathe. Stripping herself of her clothing, she entered the cool water with a shiver. `Why am I so nervous?' Kagome thought to herself, `I've spoke with him before, allowed him to see my tears…'

 

Kagome sighed. His presence now, after she had spent her days and nights thinking of him…She was happy that he had come. Though, she was slightly angry with Riku, that he had retrieved Sesshomaru without telling her in the first place.

 

He had waken her near dawn, to inform her that he had retrieved Sesshomaru so as to help her further train with her sword. She had thought she was dreaming - until that morning, that is. Kagome leaned against the shore, allowing herself to rest in the shallows of the clear, unpolluted river as she thought.

 

What to say to Sesshomaru, though, now that he was here. She had thought countless times of what she would say, of what thoughts she should discuss with him…Was she betraying Inu-yasha in feeling so intensely for Sesshomaru?

 

She had considered, and dismissed, the idea of attraction. There was no doubt that Sesshomaru was very beautiful to her, but somehow - these feelings did not seem associated with his appearance. Something was between them, something very powerful. She slowly thought of her first meeting as a demon with Sesshomaru. She realized she barely knew anymore about him now than she did then. This stirred something in her memory. She frowned.

 

She barely knew him, it was true, and yet…

 

"...Am I boring you, Sesshomaru? I know my petty little sorrows must seem insignificant to you. Perhaps to you, my life has no reason. And yet...there is more for me here, and I cannot explain why...I had dwelt on reason and cause for so long, before realizing as I have tonight, that life has no explicable reason. Is that why you are here now? Beside me, listening to me, though we barely know each other?"

 

These words rushed back to Kagome. She sighed inwardly. Did she truly need a reason, an explanation as to why she felt so much for a beautiful demon she barely knew? `Perhaps my heart knows more than my head….' She thought closing her eyes and relaxing as the sun warmed her face.

 

Suddenly, the image of small, smooth-surfaced stone came to mind. She smiled - it was the stone. The stone she had given Sesshomaru at their last meeting. Why had she given him the stone? A good a question as any, Kagome realized.

 

Her true intent? Well, she had intended for the stone to serve as a reminder. It had served its purpose better than Kagome assumed…but what to do with it now? She had thought about it only once before, but had immediately decided against it - She had considered forming the stone into a necklace so that she could show Sesshomaru how much his willingness to listen and his advice to her had meant to her. But she had thought to herself what little meaning a necklace would hold for one such as Sesshomaru…

 

Kagome was drawn from her thoughts, sensing a presence very near to her. Her eyes snapped open and she instantly made sure all of her body was submerged, save her head. She was relieved to find it was only Sesshomaru.

 

The slight tinge of pink reappeared as she realized he wore only a towel tied loosely around his waist. The blush deepened as she couldn't help but notice his finely-sculpted build. His long, silvery hair was sopping wet, cascading over one shoulder as he set the bottles, containing shampoo and conditioner, and the soap beside Kagome, on the damp grass.

 

“Thank you.” Kagome said, after a moment. Sesshomaru gazed at her steadily. She retained eye contact, feeling him extend his hand and brush a strand of hair behind her ear, rather than seeing it. This small gesture made Kagome's blush, if possible, deepen further.

 

Sesshomaru turned, revealing a long scar down the length of his back.

 

“Oh…” Kagome cried softly, sitting up a bit in the water. Sesshomaru turned, slowly. “Yes?” He raised an eyebrow.

 

Kagome frowned. “That scar…On your back. What is that from?” she asked quietly, the water lapping gently at the plants and the shore. Sesshomaru's gaze hardened. “It is from my father.” He said, a steely edge to his voice.

 

Kagome nodded. “I'm sorry…I didn't mean -” she began, but Sesshomaru turned around and began walking. “It is not your fault.” He said. With that, he made his way down the shore slowly.

 

Kagome went through her normal hygienic processes and climbed out of the water into the cool air. Wrapping the towel around herself, she barely noticed the return of Sesshomaru. His eyes locked with hers and she smiled.

 

“Er - would you mind?” She asked, indicating he should turn around while she dressed. Sesshomaru nodded and turned around. She dressed in a loose, rather comfortable training ensemble as quickly as possible. Sesshomaru turned around when he was sure she was completely clothed and watched interestedly as she brushed out her hair slowly.

 

Kagome noticed that Sesshomaru's hair had yet to be brushed and, when she finished pulling back her hair and tying it tightly, she offered the brush to him. He looked at it, then at her, and blinked. “Would you like me to…?” She raised the brush in question.

 

Sesshomaru nodded, taking a seat on the grass. He sat patiently as Kagome kneeled behind him and slowly began brushing out his long, silvery hair. “You have very beautiful hair, Sesshomaru.” She commented, after completing half of his head. She pushed it over his shoulder and continued brushing.

 

When Kagome finished, both climbed to their feet. “Thank you.” Sesshomaru replied, for the countless time that morning. Kagome smiled. “You keep thanking me, but I've yet to do anything of any real meaning, Sesshomaru.”

 

He nearly smiled himself at this comment. How could he not thank her? He hadn't been happier in ages…although he was loath to admit it. Merely being by Kagome was enough to make him smile…he contained his emotion well, however.

 

“You have done more than you believe.” He replied, calmly. He began his way back to the camp, Kagome behind him.

Mia: Okay, now is the time to thank all those who have reviewed individually….Thanks to the following on Mediaminer - NekoYoukai (Thanks a lot! I'm glad at least some readers are intelligent enough to understand this story.)

 

DevilishDutchess

 

IcePrincess1185

 

Busoshwe (I'm really glad you actually re-read our story! I can't believe you did that! Thanks so much for staying with us, even though I'm a retard for waiting so long to update. Haha.)

 

Seiya374

 

Roseblade

 

Augustsunset

 

Missy Manda (Don't worry, I'd never kill the sexy Sesshomaru! He's way too kick-ass!)

 

Hglover2 (Sorry we made you cry!…..Actually, I was going for depressing - so, no, I'm glad you cried! Haha.)

 

Kalehuaikaunoe

 

TortureInLife (Thanks so much for reminding me to watch myself! I do get careless…And lazy…Haha.)

 

Crimson Shadow080

 

Chibi-Staci (Thanks so much!)

 

Mistress of heaven and HELL (I guess I should apologize for making you cry too…..Dammit. I need to be less depressing. Lol.)

 

Aitu (Thanks a lot! And as for making you cry - see above comment! Haha.)

 

Fredrick the FREDRICK

 

Kalabash (Oh, come on, who could resist Naraku as a cross-dresser?)

 

o0ShadowXFox0o-

 

Nightshade010

 

I also have a very special thank you for Parsnip. Your review encouraged me to continue writing immediately! I'm glad we have readers who understand and enjoy the concept of originality. Your question helped clear up quite a bit too. Thank you so much!

 

Cresent: Thanks everyone for the reviews!…..Speakin' of reviews, don't forget to leave one for the new chappies

 

Also, a very special thanks to those few on Fanfiction -

 

Ptbear (You've been our only loyal reader-and-reviewer here! Thank you, thank you, thank you!)

 

Serena Ai Uaugi (You're review really made my day! I don't often recieve such great reviews on I'm really glad you enjoy the story though!)

 

Jeweles102296 (Sorry about the tears! Wait, no, I'm glad it's that good! Haha. Either way, thanks!)

 

Akai No Tenshi (Thanks for the great review! You make some good points.)

 

Once again - THANK YOU EVERYONE!

 

Cresent: If we mist anybody please call us at 810…no just kidding just make sure to tell us and we'll make sure to add you. BYE AND MAKE SURE YOU REVIEW!!!!!