InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Alone till Love ❯ The Power ( Chapter 23 )

Chapter 23: The Power

 

Kagome sat directly up, the two amber eyes from her dream still haunting her as she brought a hand to her forehead. She climbed to her feet, shakily.

 

It wasn't yet morning, Kagome realized, glancing around her. With a sigh, she gathered some things from her bag. Inhaling, she searched the various scents for a hot spring. The slight, sulfuric smell became evident, and she headed off in the direction of the scent immediately, a towel and a fresh set of training clothes in hand.

 

Kagome, still half-asleep at the moment, hadn't noticed Sesshomaru, resting in a high tree above her. Sesshomaru opened one sharp eye, watched her leave, and closed it once again. `I suppose our relationship will be - strange - now.' He thought, tying up his long, silver hair.

 

Without the slightest sound, Sesshomaru dropped to the ground from the tree. For a moment, he considered actually following Kagome to the hot spring, but decided against it almost instantaneously. He took the path towards the area he had made into a training grounds for Kagome. Sesshomaru walked slowly, feeling inwardly peaceful, as the foliage of the trees swayed above him and the remaining stars faded from the sky.

 

The sun would rise soon enough. Until then, Sesshomaru was content in the semi-darkness. He reached the training grounds and unsheathed his sword. Approaching a target made of wood and hay, he went through a series of sword maneuvers, thrusting the shining blade into the target until it was utterly destroyed, laying at his feet.

 

When satisfied that the target was destroyed, he moved to the next. It was at this time, that Kagome had returned from the hot spring and had arrived at the training grounds. Remaining hidden in the overgrown brush and large trees, she watched, impressed, as Sesshomaru moved from one target to the next - graceful and beautiful, even as he wrought destruction.

 

The sun rose slowly, Sesshomaru bathed in the light. So immaculate, so agile was he in his cold, unreachable beauty that Kagome couldn't help but stare, watching his every move - the fluid motion of his body as he thrust the blade, with an air of both languidness and apathy, and the indication of immense power…

 

Sesshomaru sheathed the blade, and turned towards Kagome's position in the woods. “Are you ready to begin training?” He called to her, his smooth, masculine voice breaking the trance in which Kagome had found herself. So deeply attracted had she been, that she had not realized Sesshomaru had probably sensed her presence ages ago.

 

“Yes..” Kagome replied, as she drew her sword from it's sheath, the lights within it shining brightly amongst the vibrant colors of the dawn. Something within her stirred, and she gripped the blade. She wanted to impress Sesshomaru, rather than disappoint…she would need to remember the power that she had once so fully possessed. “Now.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded, and with unimaginable speed, his sword was unsheathed - and the training battle had began instantly.

 

Kagome blocked every single attack, keeping the same apathy as Sesshomaru himself. Sesshomaru was amazed at her speed. She had never before been so able to release her inner self…She had never before been able to give into the unadulterated sense of killing and of death as this morning.

 

Sesshomaru knew that this was the Kagome he had first met - the witty, intelligent demon capable of any obstacle before her. He fought with full power, a fight that would've surely killed any enemy he had faced before. But - Kagome dodged every attack, her eyes distant and hollow, and her blade moving as quickly as Sesshomaru's.

 

As the tip of the blade nearly ripped through Sesshomaru's face, he turned his eyes to Kagome's face, and was inwardly shaken to see the total emptiness in her eyes - as if nothing was there. No emotion, no shine. Not a trace of Kagome left in those eyes…Sesshomaru flipped backwards, away from her, and sheathed his sword.

 

As Kagome rushed at him, he grabbed her hand, the one gripping the sword so tightly that it had nearly lost all color. Kagome struggled, but did not speak, eyes unblinking…Sesshomaru brought her to her knees, sinking to the ground with her. She continued to fight against his hand, but it was no use, his grip was too tight.

 

With his other arm, he knocked the blade from her hand - throwing it into the air and hearing the dull thud as it hit the ground several feet away. Kagome struggled even more, before collapsing onto the front of Sesshomaru.

 

Slowly, hesitantly, he wrapped his arms around Kagome and held her to him. She began to sob, clutching him. Without thought, he began to whisper soothing words to her, and her sobs eventually calmed, and died out altogether.

 

“W-where am I?” Kagome stuttered as she pulled away from Sesshomaru slightly. Glancing into the cool, depths of Sesshomaru's eyes - she was shocked to see worry, and - compassion? Kagome glanced around.

 

“The - training grounds? But…I don't - remember…” The two climbed to their feet. Sesshomaru pointed to the blade.

 

“That sword. Where did you get it?” He questioned her quietly. Kagome was shaking ever so slightly. Had the sword taken her over? As Riku had warned it could? Sesshomaru asked his question again. Kagome stepped toward the sword.

 

“It was a gift,” She said, her voice so low it was barely a whisper, “From my father. An heirloom blade. Each of us received one…” She, for the second time in minutes, sank to her knees, before the sword. Sesshomaru stepped up behind her, looking down as she picked up the large blade, and sheathed it.

 

She climbed to her feet again, still shaking. Sesshomaru's eyes had lost their cold, sharp edge and his features softened as he gazed at Kagome. Silently, he removed the outermost jacket-type article of clothing from his complex ensemble, and draped it over Kagome's shoulders.

 

“You did - exceptional. I have never faced so challenging an adversary.” Sesshomaru remarked, as they walked, side by side, back to the camp. Kagome shook her head, as though to remove memory of the incident from her mind, and drew the soft, cloth of Sesshomaru's jacket.

(Authors Note: I have no idea what it is called in Japanese, I researched it, but could not find the appropriate term for his ensemble, and the names of the articles of clothing contained in it. Sorry.)

 

“I lost myself, back there…I was just - gone. I didn't know what I was doing anymore. Something was telling me to fight, to just keep fighting…I was gone…” Kagome recalled, her voice small and fragile. Sesshomaru nodded.

 

“You are immensely powerful, but you must learn to control such power. That, unfortunately, is not a skill that can be taught…Kagome, you must find a way to harness the power of your blade. It is essential that you do so. “

 

Kagome glanced at Sesshomaru inquiringly.

 

“If you lose yourself to your power, you will kill all who come in you way. There will be no difference, to you, between friend and enemy…” Sesshomaru said, quietly. Kagome's eyes widened slightly.

 

“I would kill…even you?”

 

Sesshomaru stopped, suddenly. He turned to Kagome, silently shocked by her question. Did he mean so much to her? So much that she would worry about his death above the death of others in her life?

 

Kagome watched Sesshomaru, wondering just what inner battle going on within his mind had caused him to stop walking. She gazed at Sesshomaru calmly.

 

“Yes..even me.” He said at last. Kagome reached out, and took Sesshomaru's hand in her own.

 

“I would never let that happen…If I lost you…“ Kagome swallowed, meeting Sesshomaru's eyes. “…I could not go on…” She blushed slightly, but Sesshomaru would not break the gaze. After a moment, Kagome dropped his hand, smiled, and continued walking.

 

Sesshomaru stared after her for a moment. His shining, amber eyes seemed to glow as he caught up, and the two walked slowly down the path. However, before they approached camp, Sesshomaru stopped Kagome. The smallest shadow of a smile appeared on his features - although his mouth should no indication of smiling, Kagome saw in his eyes a silent warmth, a silent smile…

 

Without a word, he embraced her. Kagome melted into the embrace, amazed at the gentleness that so powerful a demon could contain. The two stood there for a moment, just holding on to each other tightly. “Thank you, Sesshomaru…” She whispered, almost certain Sesshomaru had not heard her. Kagome smiled when he replied, thinking to herself that she should never underestimate this demon again…

 

“Someone is watching us…” He whispered back, and as his last word registered itself in Kagome`s mind, Sesshomaru threw Kagome from him. A ball of crackling, black energy went directly through the location at which Kagome had been standing only seconds ago.

 

“Naraku.” Sesshomaru breathed, unsheathing his sword.

 

“Ah, if it isn't Lord Sesshomaru? And how are we doing this fine morning? “ Naraku laughed, forming another ball of energy in his right hand. He toyed with the glowing, black mass for a moment, as if thoughtfully, “I'm so very sorry to have intruded at such a - intimate - moment. Who'd have guessed that the infamous Sesshomaru would fall for a weak, little wench…”

 

Naraku attempted to throw the energy at Sesshomaru, but it was dodged lazily. Before Naraku had any idea what was happening, Sesshomaru had Naraku pushed against the tree, blade against the raven-haired demon's neck.

 

Naraku fought, but could not escape, and only forced the blade further into his neck. “I am - too powerful…too powerful for this.” He grunted out, throwing Sesshomaru backwards. Sesshomaru, however, was poised for any attack that Naraku could put out, and was merely forced back a step or two.

 

Naraku attempted to force his blade through Sesshomaru's stomach, but Sesshomaru threw the demon from him easily. But, what Sesshomaru had missed in that instant, as he threw a glance towards Kagome, so as to make sure of her safety - was the small, round rock removed from his pocket by Naraku.

 

There was silence, for only a moment, then -

 

“I can see you're eager to get back to your little whore. So, if you don't mind, Lord Sesshomaru, I shall take my leave now.” Naraku snapped mockingly. And with that, Naraku vanished, miasma coiling around the air where he had stood an instant ago.

 

Sesshomaru sheathed the sword, taking a deep breath. How dare he insult Kagome! How dare that pathetic excuse of a demon insult Sesshomaru's own pride! Angry thoughts flooded Sesshomaru's mind.

 

Kagome stepped up beside Sesshomaru, frowning. “You saved my life…” She said, quietly. Sesshomaru was frowning also.

 

“He will pay for this. He will pay very dearly indeed.” Sesshomaru spoke angrily, his diction dangerously clear. Kagome nodded. After a moment, she spoke.

 

“We must get back to the camp, Riku will grow worried.” She said, and led a silently angeredSesshomaru back towards camp.

Mia: Ooh, this was a great chapter in my opinion. Romance, action, angst - hell yeah! Well, before I get cocky, I'd like to thank everyone - once again- for the reviews! Hope you enjoyed the chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.

 

Cresent: Woo! Reviews! Woo! Sesshomaru! Woo! Another chapter!

 

Mia: Yeah, I know, about time, eh? I think my writer's block is ending…YAY!

 

Cresent: Finally! Woo! Well, anyhoo - REVIEW PLEASE!