InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ An Intentional Solitude ❯ Close Combat ( Chapter 6 )

She splashed the cold water of the river on her face. The droplets ran down her cheeks and found their way in the folds of her hakama. She sighed, attempting to clear her head. She could feel his aura moving over her in waves. Once again it had the same calming effect as before. The priestess couldn’t help but bask in the power and safety it seemed to give off. Had it felt this way before? She could recall nothing but fear and loathing in their previous encounters, why was it different now? She noticed it growing, and knew he had followed her.

“I can take care of myself you know!” Kagome shouted, keeping her face towards the water. She watched the fish swim by quickly and waited in silence for a reply. She heard him emerge from the bushes, but that was all.

Yes, he had followed the girl. Mostly for the fact that he too, needed water. Demons may be strong, but that does not mean they do not require liquids. As he stepped into the clearing, he pondered her words. Did she honestly think he’d followed her to protect her? How moronic. He almost wanted to laugh at the idea but his head fogged over when he stepped out into view of the river. Rays from the sun were bouncing off the water, catching the glisten on her face in a way that made her as crystal. Once again, as had occurred in the morning, she seemed to glow. How peculiar, was this girl human or not? The water fell from her face catching the light as would fog. The tips of the miko’s bangs were saturated as well, adding to her illumination. She sighed in frustration and stood. Before she turned to address him, however, he clipped,

“Do not presume that this Sesshoumaru feels he has any need to worry for your sake.” Kagome opened her mouth to reply but he brushed past her before she had time to respond. He went down on one knee and dipped his hand into the running water. Kagome crossed her arms and glared at him, but her face softened after she thought a moment. I suppose that is somewhat of a compliment, Inuyasha would have never put so much faith in my own abilities to protect myself... She watched as he drank, shifting her arrows on her back.

“Is something interesting miko?” Sesshoumaru stood, flicking the water from his claws. The snide edge in his voice seemed to give her the idea that what he was really saying was, “You dare gaze upon this great and magnificent Sesshoumaru?” She was once again perturbed. His energies may have changed but he’s still the same cold, prick! she thought to herself. Before she could stop her thoughts however, her voice erupted,

“Why has your aura changed?!” He merely stood and blinked at her. He turned towards the trees and started heading back to the road,

“That is none of your concern.” he quipped before disappearing into the trees. So it has changed! Kagome exclaimed in her mind. She quickly realized, however, that he was no where to be seen and she was about to be left behind. She jumped and grabbed her bow, slinging it over her shoulder and ran towards the trees.

The Kamis must have some sort of favor over this girl, Sesshoumaru inquired, surely she would be dead if they didn’t! His ears twitched as he listened to her heavy breathing and the occasional ouches as she scrambled through the brush. Any demon for miles could have heard her, not to mention smell the blood from the scratches she was receiving. Why did he choose her again?

“Hey! Why’d you drag me all the way out here just to leave me behind!?” She emerged from the bushes looking thoroughly distraught. He almost smirked at the branches caught in her hair, almost. She ran to catch up to him. Before she reached him however, the swift motion of his arm had his sword out and to her throat. She halted completely and let out a little “meep”. She swallowed softly as she peered down Tokijin, the dark energies crackling over her skin.

“I..um..suppose there’s worse things than being left behind?” She laughed weakly, hoping to break the deadly gaze burning from his eyes. Hello premature death, my name’s Kagome! her small smiled faded as his face remained hard. “Um..Sess...”

“Have you any training in swordplay?” His voice made her jump slightly. He didn’t lower the sword, and she felt slight pressure as he pressed it into the skin of her neck. “Miko!”

“Yes!” She answer quickly, glancing once more at the evil fang, “But, um...” she swallowed again, “Not very much, it’s...minimal.” Sesshoumaru lowered the blade and Kagome released a sigh of relief.

“You require a sword. Do you know of any human sword makers?” Sesshoumaru stared down at her,

“No, I don’t.” Kagome replied, “Plus, how am I to pay for such a thing? My bow has always served me well and...” Once again the blade was at her throat,

“I could kill you quicker than you can blink, what of your arrows now miko?” Sesshoumaru flexed his arm and pushed the blade slightly forward. “You will be venturing into a cave you ignorant fool! A long bow is for distance, you will be in close combat and you have no weapon for that.” Kagome breathed shallow, she could feel the blade breaking her skin. She did not respond, but Sesshoumaru could see the acceptance in her eyes. He lowered Tokijin once more and slid it back in his sash. Kagome brought her hand to her neck, pulling back to see the tips of her fingers covered slightly in blood. She could feel the healing energies of her power rise to fix the abrasion, and even Sesshoumaru’s eyes widened a bit as the cut healed almost as quickly as any of his wounds would have. He composed himself before the girl noticed his surprise. He did not know any human could heal like that.

“Your miko energies transfer to your arrows, perhaps a small dagger will suffice and you can use your powers to make it more effective.” He threw a small pouch towards her and she caught it in both hands. The signature jingle of metal told her it was filled with currency. “Use that to purchase one.”

Once again they were walking in silence. Kagome’s wooden shoes clipped against the earth and were the only thing keeping her sane. Her eyes wandered from Sesshoumaru to the ground to Sesshoumaru to Tokijin to Sesshoumaru’s hair and back to the ground. Would it kill him to make small talk?! She gruffed to herself and continued to click her shoes against the pebbles.

“Miko, refrain from that.” His voice startled her, she could have sworn it had been hours since he’d said anything at all.

“I can’t control the sounds my shoes make!” Kagome’s eyes narrowed, How dare he tell me how to walk!

“You can, and you will.” He spit back. That’s why she was still alive. Her blood. The wounds she had received climbing through the brush were completely healed. With powers like that, and little pain he assumed, she had no need to be quiet or discrete. He heard her mouth open and assumed she was going to reply with something sardonic and pointless, so he stopped her with his own words, “How does a human miko have such powerful healing capabilities? This Sesshoumaru has never seen even a skilled priestess with such powers.” Kagome slowed her steps and lowered her eyes. He knew the answer was swimming in her mind, and seeing as she was a social creature he almost guaranteed himself an answer.

“That is none of your concern.” She replied. Sesshoumaru hid his frustration. She’d said it to mock him he knew, but it was for her own reasons she chose not answer. He supposed he could torture her for the answer, but what would that gain him? It’s not like he didn’t have even more capable healing, and her own blood traits could not be transferred to him anyways. So he dropped the subject and continued walking. Before he could return to his previous thoughts however, the girl erupted once more. “And how dare you say I am not skilled! I could kill you right now, painfully, and you wouldn’t even have time to beg for your life!” Sesshoumaru stilled. Oops... Kagome’s eyes widened and she pretty much knew she was going to die. Hell! He may kill me but I’m not going down without a fight! She too stilled and moved her feet into position. He was a trained fighter and killer she knew. He’d been trained by the best of the best. He did not give away his intentions like others did, he didn’t twitch his lips, shift his feet, or look away. There were no signs he was going to attack, and definitely no way to tell which direction he was heading. None at all. That is of course, if he wasn’t fighting a priestess. Where as any other creature could only feel or sense his aura, if she focused enough, she could see it. Kagome clenched her teeth and focused her eyes. She blurred and refocused, blurred and refocused, all the while gathering her miko energies from her core. She blurred her vision once more and when it returned there he was. He was still turned away from her, but his aura was not. While it still felt the same, she could see it moving and shifting around him. Kagome watched the pink energies whipping around him and as they gathered in his arm she knew what was coming. A slight twitch of his wrist had his poison whip out and racing towards her. While others would have fallen, she had seen it approaching and dodged the attack. Sesshoumaru, surprised that his whip had hit nothing but air, turned towards the girl. She stood, ready to move once more. One hand was wrapped around her bow, the other calmly at her side. So she’s quick Sesshoumaru mused to himself, But not quick enough! He sped towards her, but she had seen the energy shift to his legs, and was able to once again dodge the claws he’d outstretched towards her. Kagome felt the disturbance in the air above her head as he swiped where her face should have been. She leapt back and ran towards his right. She took her bow from her shoulder and held it at the tip, as one would hold a sword. She watched his aura turn towards her, he knew her every move just as she did his. However he wasn’t using the cheaters system like she was. A girl‘s gotta survive somehow! Kagome laughed to herself, and focused on the pink thrashing. He whipped out his poison once more and she leapt over it. She used her energy to help move her through the air as she flew right over his head. However, she saw this opportunity and had to take it. As if in slow motion, she saw the top of Sesshoumaru’s head and she couldn’t stop herself. Her bow, lacking her miko powers so as not to hurt him, came down right in the middle of Sesshoumaru’s forehead. She landed in front of him. She tried to stop herself, she really did, but when she saw the look on his face, she erupted into a fit of giggles. There he was, the great Taiyoukai of the West, standing still, eyes wide, mouth agape, and a little red welt forming under the blue moon on his forehead. He composed himself quickly, and went to think of something to do with the girl now rolling on the ground. He wanted to kill her, painfully and slowly. No one, not one single person in his life, had ever struck his face. And now, here, lie a human miko, laughing herself to death. How nice it would feel to have her blood dripping from his claws, anything to wipe that ridiculous smile from her face. However, even as his hand flexed, he restrained himself.

“Miko!” Her laughing started to dim down and he watched as she wiped a tear from her eye. “Stop this ridiculous display and get up!” She let out a few more laughs and started to stand, holding her stomach at the same time.

“Sess..Sessho..Oh my god your face!” She stifled more laughs and slung her bow over her shoulder once more, “I wish now I had my camera, that was priceless!” Really, she was only an arms length away, one swipe and her pretty little head would be rolling down the gravel. Sesshoumaru questioned this word, “camera” for only a moment. Right now it wasn’t important. Right now the only priority he had, was revenge. Wait a minute, revenge? ‘Tis a pup’s uncontrollable emotions that drive revenge! he argued with himself. What was it about this girl? She seemed to bring out a playful youth in everyone she met. Her voice however, brought him out of his reverie, “How’s that for close combat?” He calmed down and considered the thought. She had fought well and had not loosed a single arrow. He knew she had held back her powers when she struck him. With her powers, he supposed, maybe even a dagger wasn’t necessary. He glanced at her. She stood proudly, a smug look adorning her face, and smiled at him. He supposed she was expecting a congratulations.

“It was sufficient.” He clipped. He saw the arrogance in her eyes rise and added “If you planned on fighting a flea.” Her smile quickly faded and she humped out a reply.

“Well it certainly threw you off!” She turned and started to continue walking. She quickly stopped as a sharp pain ripped through her back. Once again she felt the wounds healing and turned back towards Sesshoumaru. His claws were outstretched and covered in what she could only assume was her blood. However, the pain was quickly dissipating and in her frustration she yelled the first thing that came to her mind, “Dammit!” She pulled at the sleeve on her shoulder and examined the four claw-like tears in her kimono, now stained with blood. Sesshoumaru, a moment ago basking in his own victory, was once again perturbed. He hid it well, however, and lowered his hand, flicking the blood off as it returned to his side. He wasn’t expecting to kill her, however, he was hoping to put her in some pain at least. Plus, you never turn your back on an enemy, and that’s exactly what she did.

“Priestess, continue glaring at me and I’ll pluck your eyes out.” Sesshoumaru said as he stepped forward. He did not wait for her response as he pushed past her.

“Hey!” Kagome shouted, vice dripping from her words, “This kimono was a gift from a dear friend of mine, and you just destroyed it!”

“So return to your friend and retrieve a new one.” He said to no one in particular.

“She’s dead you bastard!” This time she wasn’t ready. She hadn’t seen it coming and she felt his claws wrap around her neck and push her up against a tree. The bark ripped at the exposed skin of her back and she gritted her teeth. Kagome glared down into the golden orbs of her attacker and spit out her words. “I always thought it dishonorable to hit someone when their back is turned.” She waited for his response but only received the narrowing of eyes and pressure on her throat.

“Do not call this Sesshoumaru by that term ever again.” Kagome only glared defiantly down at him. His face moved forward, fangs exposed, and Kagome cursed herself as she heard her words float from his lips, “I could kill you right now, painfully, and you wouldn’t even have time to beg for your life...” She was struggling to breathe and her words came out only in a whisper,

“You..” she coughed, “You ruined my kimono!” She gasped as her bottom came in contact with the hard ground. Ow.. she groaned inwardly as pain reverberated from her neck and down her back. She watched as the Taiyoukai paced away from her. She stood and wiped off her bottom and the front of her hakama. She readjusted her arrows, backpack, and bow and jogged forward. Kagome padded up next to Sesshoumaru and smiled up at him, “Well, now that that’s out of our systems, all’s well!” When he did not return her gaze, she looked forward and walked far to jovially for his taste.

She had been right. It was dishonorable, not to mention low and pitiful, when he struck her back. She brought it upon herself Sesshoumaru thought to himself, knowing all the while that he was just making excuses. He looked down at her, skipping playfully alongside him. What is this girl? She was humming a song, as a child would. Only minutes ago she had been a deadly force to be reckoned with and here she was, bearing no grudge towards him, just enjoying what life she had. So it wasn’t only her blood that kept her alive. While it still was quite a mystery how she was able to heal so well, he still could not deny what skills she had. She was no longer the defenseless girl hiding fearfully behind Inuyasha. She was a strong fighter, a priestess, and, for the most part, a bright woman. While her technique did lack some instruction, and she was not as strong as she could be, he had to give her credit. He had never seen a human move so quick, nor had he ever missed with his poison whip while attacking the disgusting creatures. Once again he glanced towards her. Dirty, disgusting, humans. They’re all weak and pathetic. His eyes were hard but as he watched the girl bounce along the path, a smile gracing her face, he couldn’t help but soften a bit. Perhaps not all of them. He looked forward thinking momentarily of Rin. Kagome’s quiet humming stopped and was replaced with words,

“Sesshoumaru-sama, do you think we could stop in a village and get me a new kimono.” He looked down at her, she was smiling up at him. He grunted an approval and looked forward once more, “Oh and a dagger too!” She had her finger to her lips and was thinking to herself. This girl puzzled him. She was so joyful and pleasant. He had struck her, ruined a treasured item of hers, and pinned her against a tree, yet she bore no grudge towards him. Finally he spoke,

“Dagger?” The girl had obviously proven her close-combat capabilities with just her bow, why would she need a dagger?

“Yeah, you said I needed one and we are going to cave after-all. I figure if I can do damage with my stick of a bow, what could I do with something that actually cuts?”

“There is a market an hour’s walk away.” That was all Sesshoumaru said and all he needed to. Kagome nodded and looked back around at the scenery as they walked in comfortable silence. He could smell the foul stench of humans and their food. He knew they were gathered in mass and making a huge abundance of noise. He could only assume it was a ningen market.

Kagome continued humming, the clicking of her shoes once more alive. She kept tune with the beat of her shoes. This time, the sounds did not bother Sesshoumaru. Much.