InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bound by Blood ❯ Confronting Stuborn Individuals ( Chapter 9 )

Chapter 9: Confrontations with Stubborn Individuals

 

While Sango continued to discuss things with Kaede, Sesshoumaru headed to the library to look up information regarding mikos. He was convinced that no pure priestess could inflict such wounds and remain pure. He was also sure he had heard something that would explain this occurrence but it was a long shot.

 

He went off into the stacks, coming upon lengthy sections ranging from information regarding miko abilities to the teachings of Buddha. Sesshoumaru was more interested in the aspect of their power that allowed them to remain pure. He questioned and speculated how their power worked and the effects of scars that remained. Unsure of where to begin he started at the beginning; eventually he would come across what he sought.

 

*****

 

Kagome and Yuriye were enjoying the peace and quiet; the gentle winds brought the smell of cherry blossoms. They could still hear talking beyond the lake but it was far enough away not to be disruptive. The atmosphere was so relaxing and both inu were becoming sleepy. The sun was warmed and relaxed them; they realized how much of a toll the fight had taken out of them.

 

Kagome closed her eyes and moved her right arm so she could hold Yuriye without her falling. She could hear Yuriye's heartbeat and breathing evened out telling her she had fallen asleep. Kagome was also feeling very sleepy but didn't feel comfortable allowing them both to sleep out in the open. She knew that they were safe but old habits die hard, so she allowed herself go into a meditative state. It would allow her mind and body to relax leaving her beast alert to their surroundings. She needed to gain some of her strength back.

 

*****

 

Sesshoumaru put away his things and prepared leave. Looking around one last time, a book caught his attention. The book was in fairly good condition but looked worn and mildly used which made it stand out amongst the most of the older dusty books. The book was titled Mikos and Monks during the Wars of America. He remembered his father leaving to help out the demons residing in foreign lands. At that time he was a very young demon around the age 25.

 

He vaguely remembered that at one point humans overturned the ruling demon class because they believed there was a secret conspiracy occurring. The war was a bloody war, many higher level demons were murdered and entire bloodlines wiped out. Most countries refused to offer assistance, choosing not to get involved. It was believed that the affair was internal to the presiding country, but after three years of the bloodshed several countries, including Japan, got involved.

 

It was during the American wars that some of the most heinous offenses were carried out by miko and monks. Similarly, the miko and monk of that era powers maintained their purity.

 

Grabbing the book he headed towards the desk to check out. He hoped the book would serve him where his memory was unable to. He was pretty sure that the questions unanswered by the book could be answered by his father. His father had helped release prisoners from the different detention facilities the humans had in place. His father had seen some of the worst causalities, and some of the worst wounded demons.

 

Deciding to avoid the crowd of the students he followed the trail at the back of the dojo where he had seen the two female inu fight that morning. The sounds from the lake told him he was close, along with that sound he noted two heartbeats. Both were very steady suggesting either meditation or sleep, but being this close to the lake he thought the former. As he approached, the two female inu came into view. The black haired female was asleep while the white haired female held her. As he neared the two, the white-haired inu started to growled.

 

Slowly Kagome's eyes came back into focus; she heard her beast growling at someone. She had finally begun her meditation and her body was relaxing, this individual's approach completely disrupted that.

 

Sango said almost no one came by this side of the lake. Not wanting to move Yuriye because she was probably still tired from the fight and going without food for an entire week. When her eyes were completely focused, she saw male inu they had sensed earlier. Observing his features, she noted he had two magenta stripes on his face with a Prussian blue crescent moon in the center of his forehead. He had long silvery white hair that went to mid-calf. He was wore white hakamas and a royal blue and gold fighting garb. His eyes were a striking shade of honey, no warmth there; they were as cold as ice. His face was set as though it was carved from stone; he regally stood there merely staring at them. His height neared about seven feet.

 

“Can I help you? Or will you continue to just stare?” Kagome queried. The marking on his forehead told her upper level demon with high society breeding. Most demons of higher rank bore some mark.

 

“Hn.” Sesshoumaru replied continuing to look down his nose at the two. Did this insolent female not know who he was or what clan he hailed from? “Such is to be expected of one such as you, wench.” He sneered.

 

Kagome growled back in warning. This is why they continually moved from one place to another, never staying in one place to long. She felt Yuriye stirring and Kagome's growls were not helping to keep her asleep.

 

Yuriye felt her alpha growl. At first she tried to ignore it and go back to sleep but the anger in her aura rose. Slowly she allowed herself to become fully awake and sat up to assess the situation. Looking to where Kagome was staring she saw the male from the dojo's. Yuriye wondered what this male had said to upset her alpha.

 

“A word of caution to you, stray. Do not presume to take those who are clearly your betters lightly.” Sesshoumaru said in annoyance.

 

“Your status means nothing to me. I will not cower in fear to one such as you. I have faced far worse challenges. ” Kagome retorted. Growing tired of the argument, Kagome stood up and grabbed Yuriye by the hand. “Now if you don't mind we have more important matters to attend to.” She knew dismissing someone who was as prideful as the male before her would wound his already minutely bruised ego. As she started to move away, the rise in his youki indicated to her she had achieved her goal. Pushing Yuriye away, she turned and was caught off guard at how close the male was to her.

 

Sesshoumaru couldn't believe that this little slip of an inu had just dismissed him; releasing the book he held in his hands he decided to teach this inu a lesson. As he rushed forward he noticed that the mouth female pushed the smaller inu away. He grabbed her by throat and pinned her to a nearby tree. Expecting to scent fear and tears he was shocked to see a smile gracing her lips.

 

Kagome knew her smile would serve to further piss the male off, if this was the best he could do to intimidate her he had a lot to learn.

 

'Hn.' Sesshoumaru thought. Not the reaction he expected…interesting.

 

In his peripheral, he saw her companion rise but she did not advance towards them. Glancing to the side at her, “You will not assist your alpha?”

 

Yuriye smirked, “Nope, she can do alright by herself.”

 

Kagome slowly brought her right hand up and grabbed his wrist. Slowly a chill traveled up his arm. When he looked down he noticed ice forming from where her hand grasped his wrist.

 

He tilted his head to both sides popping his neck. Flexing the muscle of his arm, he allowed his youki to flare and tightened his grip about her neck. The ice cracked and quickly broke away from his skin. Glancing from his arm to the youkai he held, he narrowed his eyes and smirked.

 

“I'm not afraid of one pompous male.” Kagome gritted out.

 

Sesshoumaru bored with the little display released her, allowing her to fall on her ass from the abruptness of the discharge. She stood while rubbing her neck, inwardly admitting the arrogant demon had a strong grip.

 

Kagome eyed him sternly. “I'm not afraid of dying. It's not something I haven't already faced.” Kagome's voice held only truth.

 

Sesshoumaru eyes widen a small fraction, her voice held only truth. “That very well may be true. But fierce bravery is not always wise. Your death today would have been the result of a foolish act.” He replied coolly.

As he turned his eyes to study Yuriye, he heard a vicious snarl come from the silver-haired inu.

 

“Your issue is with me. Leave her out of this!” Kagome hissed as she slowly got up blocked Yuriye from his view. Yuriye was not to be drawn into their quarrel for any reason.

 

Seeing Kagome protect Yuriye caused him to stop, did she believe he would cause her harm. “You needn't fear this Sesshoumaru. If I wanted your pack mate's death, there is little you could do to stop me.”

 

A brief moment of confusion plagued his mind but he quickly blinked that away. He was quickly becoming more agitated and standing around with his current company would not lighten his mood at all.

 

Turning his back he started back towards where he dropped the book, as he bent to pick it up, he heard another set of footsteps approaching. He saw the demon slayer's image as he rose from his bent position, she reeked of nervousness but the cause did not come from him. As he looked closer he noticed she was staring at the two females.

 

“Are you guys alright? Kaede found two single rooms. If you guys want I can show you to the rooms. They are in the same dormitory that I am in.” Sango was trying to get both females away from Sesshoumaru. She knew his reputation, his name spoke of his reputation. The Killing Perfection and he fit that description unquestionably.

 

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow when he heard that the two inu would be living in the same dorm. Usually, the building was for older students.

 

Kagome felt herself relax a bit when she saw Sango relief for having an excuse to leave the arrogant inu behind. Kagome sent a silent command to Yuriye to follow. Passing the haughty male she noticed the book in his hand, she passed him too quick to see the title and put the thought to the back of her mind.

 

For the first time they had a fresh start and they were going to take advantage of it. Continuing on, she and Yuriye followed Sango away from the lake.