InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Chou Shoki I: Learning from Yesterday ❯ Chapter 24 ( Chapter 23 )

Lovers may be - and indeed generally are - enemies, but they never can be friends, because there must always be a spice of jealousy and something of Self in all their speculations.

-Lord Byron

 

 

CHAPTER 24

 

Sesshoumaru looked like he'd been through hell and back. He refused to eat, bathe or see the light of day for the first four nights after returning to the Kuroi Hoshi castle. Juro and Ujio had questioned him on his odd routine, but he'd adamantly refused. But like all commanding Daiyoukai, which his father was, he ordered Sesshoumaru out of his room and directly to the hot springs.

 

Naturally, the young prince did not question or even dare argue this, so he just dragged himself to his destination.

 

After his forced bath, eating and outing, Sesshoumaru went to sit by the pond of the Kuroi Hoshi. He gazed at his reflection in the water.

 

Alone.

 

Surprisingly, loneliness had never been an issue before her. On the contrary, he would find any excuse to be by himself - normally. But now that he had met her, his life was anything but normal. All he wanted and needed was her.

 

And just like in his dreams, he saw her. Kagome. Her slender figure, seductive lavender eyes, full pink lips, and light brown hair that danced with an unfelt wind. Even though he knew she wasn't real, he was more than sure he could smell her. Sesshoumaru felt like he was loosing his mind. Could he literally be falling for a simple ningen? It was at moments like these that he thought he might be going crazy.

 

Then, when he was a little sound of mind, he began to rationalize more deeply about his current...situation? He didn't trust anyone any longer, nor had he for years and so he had become someone no one would want to trust. He knew why anyone sought his company; with his reputation as he'd carved it out the contact couldn't be for friendship, so it had to be that they'd been drawn in by the smell of power and vast amount of lands he would someday inherit. Those fools, he knew precisely how to deal with them.

 

Deciphering Kagome took considerably more time and effort. She'd told him what he'd wanted: save the world, save her honor and perhaps him. The most difficult part of the puzzle was that she seemed to be telling the truth. She had no ulterior motives that he could discover and nothing he'd said or done or offered seemed to have swayed her an inch. And that was remarkable, especially considering that the foe to all three of her goals was the same exact person - him.

 

Her existence then was simply...impossible. No one was that pure; no one's motives were that noble. And no one ever tried to change him. They changed themselves to become more amenable to what he wanted, so they could have what they wanted. Period.

 

What he needed to do was bed her and get his lust satiated. Then he could move on with his life. Surely that was all that kept him obsessed with her...

 

Thus, now, he found himself trailing a mortal woman - a miko nonetheless - wherever it was her duties led her. Everything and nothing reminded him of her and the kiss that sealed his fate. He needed to get her alone and get her to talk to him. Not that she hadn't sensed him by now.

 

He returned home and sat in the corner of his study, drinking his tea. By now, sixty nine boorish days of following her after their talk, a-not-so-happy Ujio, Juro and himself decided that it was time for a talk. All he needed now was a reason. He paced and paced and paced...and paced. He wanted to take to the tennyo (because that was what she was to him) a present. It couldn't just be any gift. She was special, unique. With Kagome, he found that his skills with the opposite sex were more than lacking.

 

The three friends rummaged through all the family heirlooms, yet nothing seemed to be right. That is, until he came across this. Sesshoumaru was playing with the jewel in his claws. It was perfect. He knew that this was something he would have had to give to Lady Michiru when they had mated but now it seemed that no other than his tennyo could wear this.

 

The priceless gift had been his mother's. It was a symbol of her nobility and of her title as Lady of the Western Lands. It had also been a gift from his chichi-ue to his okaa-san on the night he marked her. Sesshoumaru was well-aware that this was a big step. This jewel was not just any jewel, for it had the magic to select its owner. His father had it made for the choosing of his own mate.

 

It was surprising even to his own person that he had chosen this precise piece of jewelry.

 

He dangled his gift and set it inside a small velvet bag. Juro and Ujio exchanged doubtful glances among themselves. Their brother had definitely chosen someone of equal temperament. Fireworks would definitely ensue. How fun!

 

He breathed deeply and set in the direction of his future mistress. He sought her intoxicating aroma to guide him.

 

So...

 

When he finally saw her, he noticed that this wasn't her village. Her scent had blocked out everything. Kagome had just sat down at a tiny shrine. There were voices coming from it and several accessories adorning the outside of the shrine as well as the village itself. It took Sesshoumaru a few seconds to realize that this was a mating ceremony, or as the humans called it, a marriage.

 

His gaze reverted to the tennyo that was being basked in the moonlight. He secretly wondered why every time he looked at her it felt like the first time. Moving soundlessly he jumped up to a tree that was left of her. At first, her face displayed nothing, but then (and this he noticed from the words that were being spoken down in the shrine) various emotions showed upon her lovely face.

 

Confusion. Anger. Frustration. Reflection.

 

And loneliness!

 

The overwhelming emotion hit him like a ton of bricks that he was almost knocked down. He steadied himself with one claw. He was about to leap down, when she began to voice her thoughts. Most likely thinking she was alone. It pained him a little to think that she didn't sense him. If she were the one creeping up on him, he'd certainly sensed her the moment she came up with the idea.

 

A low possessive growl emanated from his chest, too low for her human ears. He never knew she longed for male companionship.

 

`You're mine. Mine alone. No one can have you. I'll never let another man come near you. And if they do, I'll make sure they wish they never did!' His youkai was dangerously furious. Sesshoumaru closed his already crimson eyes. He needed to regain control, but it was so hard when the object of his anger was so close...and yet so far.

 

He hadn't even noticed that he was already on the ground. Whoever this male was he was going to make sure that he knew she was HIS and no one could ever dream of touching her with even a mere glance! The inu youkai brought his left foot in front, ready to shake the answer out of her, when her voiced thoughts stopped him once more.

 

“Damn you to the pits of the underworld for doing this to me,” she scowled softly.

 

Now more than ever he needed to know. It was clawing at his insides. The need to put a name to the idiot who dared touch what was clearly his. He brought out his hand to grab her neck and squeeze out the vital information, yet he knew he neither could nor would do that to her.

 

Before he continued, he lifted his nose to the air to try and catch a trace of the smell that belonged to the idiot. First came the scent he was so familiar with - lilies. Then another smell - cider and fir. This new smell could only belong to the imbecile for he had never smelled this on anyone near the miko. Patience, he thought, was his only alternative. He was, after all, a demon lord. He would go about this the civil way.

 

“Sounds like a very lucky man.” He was surprised to hear that his voice was a little shaky.

 

However, his surprised turned into a smirk, when he noticed her aura change. It wasn't sad anymore. It radiated a mixture or excitement and disbelief, which only served to spike her natural scent.

 

Kagome turned very slowly towards him. Sesshoumaru was already preparing himself for an attack, but then it never came. Once she was fully facing him, she just stood there. Her countenance showed nothing, but one look into her mauve eyes was enough to tell him she had not expected any one to be out here. Especially him.

 

The silence was too much for him, so he broke it. “Didn't they teach you that it's rude not to answer when questioned?” Sesshoumaru hoped that she wouldn't just turn away.

 

To his relief, she didn't. Yet it took her a few minutes to answer his question. It was like she was turning the question in her head. Finally, she answered, but it was not what he expected. “Acchi ni ike (Go away).”

 

The miko's answer was like cold water. Although, he expected her hostility, he didn't want to believe she was somewhat happy. Particularly after he felt her reaction to his voice, to which he secretly smirked.

 

Being a proud inu youkai and a prince, he wasn't going to let this slip by. If arguing his way into her furon was the only way for her to accept him, then she was going to get a hell of a fight.

 

“Iiee. Not at least until you answer my question.” He leaned back on the tree he'd been watching her from earlier.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Why did he want to know? It's not like it mattered to him.

 

I watched as he leaned back against a tree and cross his arms over his chest. Apparently he wasn't going to go anywhere without a fight or until I answered. This was definitely something I didn't plan for. The last time I'd seen him, I'd hoped it was the last. Sure I had felt him follow me around for the past weeks, but I just never thought he'd actually make himself visible.

 

I glared coldly at him and lifted my chin. He must have thought I was going to engage in an argument with him or fight him. In all honesty, I was going to do that until I remembered that that was how it all started. With us, the bickering and insults were more of a teasing and flirting I realized. Perhaps it was time for a different approach.

 

My usual approach to others.

 

Quickly gathering what little courage I could muster at the moment, I turned my back to him and began descending the hill. The sound of crushing grass was the only hint of his movements. That is until he moved my arms and whirled me around. Though the surprise was not evident in my face, it took me more than I wanted to comprehend how the hell he had moved so fast.

 

His gaze penetrated mine and I had to use all my power to remain unfazed by his questioning eyes. “Do not turn from me.” It was not a command but a pleading, which almost made me waver.

 

Almost.

 

His hold lessened. I looked at the clawed hand wrapped around my upper arm. Without any warning, he pulled me to his chest and enveloped me in his arms. I felt him tremble, I made up my mind. The purifying energy seeped out of my skin. It was enough to push him back into the tree he had been leaning against without doing any real damage.

 

Again, I began to descend the hill. I dared not turn back. It felt horrible to cause him harm but his presence was not what I needed in my life. Not now, not ever. And as I neared the festivity, I heard his faint voice reach my ears. His words stopped me long enough for him to notice, short enough so no one in the festivity noticed.

 

“It will take more than that to get rid of me Kagome...my Kagome.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

She turned her back on him. He was prepared for yelling. He was prepared for glares. Hell, he was even prepared for a beating. BUT NO!!!

 

What did he get?!

 

She airily lifted her chin and started walking down towards the shrine in the valley. Swiftly, and in reality, not giving it any thought, he rushed to grab her before she left. Kagome was whirled around to face him.

 

Milliseconds passed before a breath-taking burning sensation sent him against a tree. Shaking his head and blinking several times to refocus his vision, he was only able to see the top of her head before she was half way down to the celebration.

 

`Okay. So he wasn't ready for the beating! That didn't mean she actually had to do it!'

 

He whispered, mostly to himself. “It will take more than that to get rid of me Kagome...my Kagome.” So it was a complete boost to his ego when he saw her pause and stiffen. And he realized she was not mad, but was in fact, confused.

 

He smirked and watched her for the rest of the evening. Just like she had been at the Crescent Moon, she would bow or nod to several people that would come up to her. And every so often (and this he loved), she would sneak glances up in his direction. Sesshoumaru knew, though, she wasn't able to see him. She was good but not that good.

 

Sesshoumaru watched until the third day of the festivity. Throughout the day, she would hide in one of the temples, praying, he supposed. At night, she would surround herself with as many ningen as possible; her discomfort couldn't have been more evident. The things she did to stay away from him.

 

Kami, he loved this woman!!!

 

Deep down inside, he smiled at the thought of the feared `Perfect Killer' hiding from him. True, he was, THE `Killing Perfection'. Did that not make them `perfect' for each other?

 

Too deep in his thoughts, he didn't realize that the human carriages were already leaving. It wasn't until he heard the annoying voice of the `idiot kid' yell for the samurai to begin marching that his attention returned. He scanned the area for any sign of Kagome and was glad to see she had decided to travel at the front with the samurai.

 

Tucking the small pouch with his gift securely inside one of the sleeves, he moved silently atop of the trees following the royal entourage towards the Imperial City.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Kami help me. I wanted nothing but to pull my hair out...ONE...BY...ONE. Was the guy dense? Did he not get it? What else did I need to do to get him to leave me alone! I took long shaky breaths and let them out slowly. Pulling myself together, I went to my otou-san to let him know that I was riding with the samurai up ahead.

 

“My lord,” I said with the utmost respect. “I will be riding at the front. I hope that is all right with you.” I wasn't really asking for permission, but that was an implication between us.

 

He waved his hand dismissively as he kept his eyes on the scroll he was reading. Taking that as an approval, I nudged my horse and pulled ahead. All I wanted, or part of what I wanted, was to leave this city. Something about it made the hairs at the back of my neck stand on end. It always called out to me, called out to my soul, in ways that made me fear it.

 

It wasn't fear of harm that particularly made me cautious but rather fear of losing myself in there. Especially the forest. The forest where that tree from my dreams was actually standing. Something in there was waiting for me, and by all Kami I feared that one day I might succumb to the call - willingly.

 

Especially after last night.

 

After my encounter with the inu youkai, I had another dream. This one was entirely different dream from all the other ones.

 

DREAM

 

I was on top of the tree, the Goshinboku. This particular one was one of the few remaining that were guarded because of its immense powers over time. It connected all time and space in a way that no one had been able to understand or explain.

 

However, there I was, relaxing on one of its limbs. But I was not alone. Two pale arms were embracing me from behind. I felt the beating of his heart and his soft breathing was felt on my right cheek. He nuzzled my neck and kissed it tenderly before sighing contentedly.

 

“I love watching the sun set. But I love watching the sun set more with you here. Your warmth is more heated than the sun's.”

 

“Sometimes you're a little too corny. Even for someone like you. Why can't you just be quiet and enjoy the moment?” he replied annoyed.

 

I bolted up angrily. I turned to yell at him. “You're such a baka! For once be - ”

 

His lips silenced me instantly and what ever anger I felt melted away. Without breaking the kiss, he lifted me and placed me on his lap sideways. My arms instantly snaked around his neck. The need for air won, unfortunately, as we parted panting.

 

“Is this the only way to shut you up?” he asked teasingly.

 

My arms, still wrapped around his neck, leaning my forehead against his with my eyes closed, I answered. “If this is the punishment...then yes.”

 

However, the moment was ruined by the sound of thunder and rain. My body stiffened immediately. He noticed and pulled me closer wrapping his entire aura around me. And for the first time since the dreams began, I finally caught his scent - sandalwood and a scent that was uniquely him. I felt protected and secure. The thunder grew distant in my ears and all I could hear was his soft and loving words of protection.

 

I did, though, take notice of the slight drizzle. Thankfully the many leaves gave enough cover from the light rain. “Arigatou gozaimasu,” I murmured, clutching him tighter.

 

He snorted. “Keh! It can't rain all the time, wench!”

 

END OF DREAM

 

I bolted from my sleep. His last words awoke in me something so strong and powerful - a yearning - unlike any I had ever felt. I clutched the sheets to my chest. Something was definitely creepy about that dream and somehow it was linked to that tree.

 

I needed to be careful.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Several hours into the trip, I detected a youki following us. Each time it would recede just enough to touch my own reiki. I had no trouble discerning whose youki that was. And for the first time since he began shadowing me, I saw him to our right. It was a grey and silver blur, jumping from tree to tree. I had to admire his stealth and stubbornness, even when both were being used for something that wasn't worth fighting for.

 

Turning my head, I kicked my horse softly to catch up at the front with the rest of the samurai. I spotted Hiroyaki at the front, laughing with some of his fellow officers. Once he saw me heading towards them, he whispered something and they nodded in return. Each captain returned to their respective group and Hiro only looked ahead as if he hadn't seen me.

 

Ever since the dojo incident he avoided me at all cost. If it was absolutely necessary that he speak to me, he would address me by my title. Even then his words were spoken quickly and clipped. I had wounded someone that had offered me nothing but kindness from the moment he met me, and I had given in return coldness. It weighed heavily on my mind that someone as happy and enthusiastic as Hiro be distant and obscure. Unbeknown, I was beginning to turn him into me.

 

That, I would not wish, even onto my worst enemy.

 

When my horse finally reached his, he became rigid. He dared not look upon me since then, and now it seemed that the longer the silence remained between us, the more difficult it would be to regain what little we had had. I swallowed me pride and turned to gaze at him.

 

“Hiro, may we speak?” I sighed inaudibly.

 

His face grew even more serious as he responded. “I am at your service, my Lady General.”

 

“Hiro, you don't have to - ” he interjected before I finished.

 

“With all due respect, your Highness, I am merely a vassal at your disposition. Whatever it is that you wish to do with me I - ” This time, I cut him off.

 

“Damn it, Hiro,” I whispered angrily. “Look, you have never been a mere `vassal' and you are not an object that bends at my or any one else's will. You are a well-educated, handsome and strong man, who just happens to be too innocent to realize that I am far beyond anyone's good graces to change for you or anyone. I am who I am. That, however, doesn't mean, that I...don't have a small soft spot for you every once in a while.” I looked ahead at my last words.

 

He stared at me and swallowed hard. Hiro opened his mouth, but I beat him to it. “And because I...I...you're part of my life whether I'd like to acknowledge it or not; I realize it was wrong of me to say or do what I did. But you have to understand that for a long time, I've had no one to depend on. I just won't let my guard down for anyone. Even for those I've known for most of my existence,” I offered.

 

He beamed back at me. “I am honored that you would even consider me for anything that regards to you. And...yes. You are right. I would kill and die before I let harm come to you. That includes me. He bowed as politely as could be possible on a horse.

 

It occurred to me that after what I did to him, he deserved more than a simple pat on the shoulder. I reached for him and gave him the most innocent/awkward peck on his cheek. He blushed.

 

“Arigatou, Hiro.” He stared at me in confusion.

 

“Doushite?”

 

“For you. For being who you are.”

 

“You know...I like you better when you're serious. At least then I know what to expect!” He offered teasingly.

 

“You and I both.”

 

We remained side by side for the rest of the day. On various occasions we had been attacked by youkai, but now, on better terms, Hiro and I returned to fighting side by side. It felt good. By the time the sun was setting on the fifth day, we stopped at a very humble village.

 

Of course, the daimyo (if that is what you could call such a poor individual) of this particular village was more thrilled to have the okami of all Nihon, staying at his village. It seemed that they went all out when they prepared such a feast I was sure they had never had. My otou-san didn't bother to tell them not to. In fact, he encouraged it.

 

It goes without saying that there had been no rest for the night. The samurai enjoyed what little entertainment the women had to offer, my otou-san was not one to sit down and joined in. And Hiro...well, he tried to partake in the entertainment. In the end, however, he chose to go to his room in the local inn.

 

I, personally, chose to leave them be and saunter off to the shore. Gratefully, the furusato was placed some minutes away from the shore. I walked to a part of the shore where there were some rocks that were being hit lightly by the waves. As I sat there, I thought about what had happened in the past year.

 

It was a little hard to digest that I had made an alliance with an inu youkai, honored my sensei's memory by fighting in all-demon war, restored villages, kept the Shikon no Tama from falling into the hands of those who wished to use it for their own selfish needs...

 

`...and managed to get yourself involved with a certain inu youkai,' supplied my inner voice.

 

I scrounged my nose at the added information. Still, it was partly true. I pulled up my hair in a tight bun with the usual two blue ribbons and then pushed myself up. I needed to sleep if I was going to remain alert for the rest of the trip. We still had another six days to go.

 

I glanced once more into the ocean and heaved a sigh. Turning around I stopped dead in my tracks.

 

There he was again! How the hell did he manage to sneak up on me?!

 

He was bathed in the dim light of the moon. He appeared disheveled and a bit surprised to see me. My aura instantly flared at the feel of a powerful youki. At first, both of us just stared at one another at a complete loss that was more due to the awkwardness of our past encounters.

 

The soft splash of water against rocks brought us out of our trance. Sesshoumaru walked cautiously up to me until he was at arms length. I broke our silent gaze and turned my head to the sides searching for any one who could spot us together. He reached out with a clawed hand but stopped hesitantly.

 

I remained stoic, but it was taking much more effort than I ever thought. I ran my eyes lazily over him before I turned right and began walking towards the village. He made no move to stop me, but he did however, call out.

 

“Will you never talk to me? Will you always run away?”

 

I turned, furious and ready to yell at him, but the second I saw the mirth in his eyes. I clamped my mouth. I composed myself and decided to turn the tables on him. I put up a barrier to block my scent and walked back to him, putting upon my face the most innocent look.

 

Sesshoumaru gazed down at me when I was right in front of him. He blinked back his surprise when I returned a tender, small smile. One of his arms wrapped around me and pulled me slowly towards him. I allowed it and watched his reaction. My hands went up to his chest, watching him behind the veil of my lashes as he closed his eyes. My arms encircled his neck and I rested my head against him. He drew in a deep breath.

 

His form lost its tense stance. I waited for his guard to come down completely before I pulled away to stare into his eyes. Sesshoumaru was watching me with a look that had me nearly forgetting my initial plan. I blinked away the fogginess that those two twin rays of gold had formed.

 

“Lord Sesshoumaru...” I whispered slowly.

 

The said youkai swallowed hard before stuttering his response. “Ka-Kagome...”

 

And that was how I won.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~