InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Elsewhere ❯ Chapter Six ( Chapter 6 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

By: flowers

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha nor am I profiting from this.

“I was just guessing,

At numbers and figures,

Pulling your puzzles apart.

Questions of science,

Science and progress,

Do not speak as loud as my heart.”

- Cold Play, The Scientist

Chapter Six

In the dining area she really didn't know what to do. He left briefly, she supposed to make a phone call. The table was huge with a lovely floral display. She stood as still as humanly possible to hear what was going on in the room he disappeared to and blushed at herself for eavesdropping. She noticed now that the house had no television or stereo that she could see.

However a few musical instruments were in odd places here and there. She wondered whether she should have accepted his offer. Was he going to eat with her? Was he doing this just to get a reaction? No matter, her anger flared and she was sure that seeing him eat, brush his teeth, or apply makeup wouldn't bring the slightest reaction out of her.

He returned and motioned for her to enter the kitchen. At the far wall a beautifully decorated rug was laid next to a window overlooking a wooded area outside. A small but elegant table was against the wall and two very decorative red pillows graced either side. `Heh, a table for two,' she thought as he sat gracefully and motioned for her to join him yet again.

From the looks of it, this was the only table in the house used. No condiments or silverware but a simple place mat sat at his end. That was the only clue that told her he even used a table. He gently placed the mat before her and stared as she took in the surroundings. He knew she would have to leave soon after the meal. He still wanted to ask a few more questions.

It was a wonderful and very inexplicable feeling to speak so freely. Maybe he had been too hasty, countless years have apparently worn his judgment. The need to share his thoughts with another being had never crossed his mind until today. Hours before he was content to silently observe her live out her life. Years ago he would have thought this a weakness.

At the dawning of this age he realized power wasn't measured in brute strength or armies, it was money. He detested this fact and easily enough slipped out of sight and time. With nothing to occupy his long life this last century was almost unbearable. Soon he had found himself gathering Rin's heirs and nestling between them. Foolish humans as they were, he envied a short meaningful life filled with work, children, and companions.

He took no joy in his fortune until he began to tender his newfound family. Like sowing seeds they began to blossom and grow. Looking on him with gratitude his secret was well guarded. Here he was treated with as much respect due his status. This pleased him for a short while. It seems he was searching for something more, camaraderie? Yes. Personal conversation was quite pleasing to his senses now.

“Are you going to eat too?” she asked boldly. She wanted to give him the direct impression that this wasn't going to affect her.

“No. My eating habits are not human in nature. However, I will on occasion ingest human food although it does not satisfy me,” he answered. She was a little curious but wasn't sure she really wanted to know the details.

“May I ask another question?” he asked calmly. It seemed like he was trying to soothe her. She couldn't resist this strange new Sesshoumaru. By the look on her face he thought it acceptable to continue.

“Why do humans incessantly crave money?” his words were devoid of emotion again. She smiled slightly and answered.

“People are never happy. They dream of being rich and once they are, they get bored again. I don't really understand it myself. I just want to do something with my life that will make a difference.” She had thought about this herself from time to time. It was another strange question. Couldn't he answer that better than she, hadn't he observed humans long enough to answer questions like this?

“Things of this nature escape my understanding. If money is power, humans must need it to feel powerful,” he sighed. She didn't know either. “Power by my definition is different completely.” She was again reminded of his demon form and shivered a bit. It was easy to forget his true nature at times.

“I well, I guess it's close to the reason you had for trying to take Tessaiga,” she mused then bit her lip. Bringing that up may not have been the best decision. She looked at him nervously. His eyes flashed but his face remained stoic as ever. At that moment there was a knock at the door.

“Enter,” he said flatly still plunging his eyes deep into Kagome's. Now she had really done it. Pissing him off was something she had promised herself not to do, knowing her mouth could shoot off of its own accord. Aki entered through the glass doors with a tray in her hand smiling ear to ear. She set the tray in front of Kagome and nodded her head a bit as she shot off to the fridge to find something to drink.

“Forgive me, I have not introduced you. This is Kagome. She an old friend,” he said still staring at Kagome. Aki returned to the table with a tea beverage in a can and a wine glass.

“I'm sorry Kagome-sama this all there is. Unless you would like some water or fresh tea,” she said with a huge grin.

“No Aki this is fine, and call me Kagome,” she smiled at the canned tea. How many of these did she drink on her adventure? Aki shot a questioning glance at Sesshoumaru. He nodded. She looked even happier than before.

“Are you Youkai too?” she asked anxiously. Kagome's eyes widened. Would the girl get herself in trouble with Sesshoumaru being so inquisitive? He looked unaffected, still staring and making her wish she could absorb herself into the futon.

“No, I'm a regular girl like you. I'm going to start at the university in the fall,” she replied looking at Aki. Aki froze for a second and looked back at Sesshoumaru.

“Yes Aki, a human girl just like you. Although she thinks your taste in music is lacking,” he said with a half smile. Aki's eyes saddened for a second and before Kagome could snap herself out the funk he'd put her in Aki rushed out and turned on a light. She was taking a CD out of a stereo hidden behind a rock and replacing it with another. She came back inside and shut the light off.

“There, that was one of my brother's CD's anyway,” she piped with a smile and turned to retreat back through the double doors closing them quietly.

“You didn't have to say that to her,” Kagome fumed turning angry eyes onto Sesshoumaru. He looked quite amused and tilted his head to slightly to remove the band holding his hair. Kagome quickly looked to her food and began to eat assuming he had nothing to say about this rude behavior. The song that was on her radio this morning came to their ears. He cocked an eyebrow her way.

“I can assure you that my comment did not effect her,” he said flatly and watched. Her eating habits were refined for a human. Watching her eat was calming. He always felt this way watching Rin. It must have been the comfort of knowing she wouldn't be hungry as long as he were around.

“You know it's impolite to watch someone eat,” she spat. He was making her nervous enough as it were. He had never expected that she would mind.

“I apologize. I find it calming,” he said before thinking. Luckily she didn't push the subject further. “My reason for attempting to take Tessaiga was jealousy,” he added turning his gaze to the window. “Not wholly greed.”

She stopped eating and sipped her tea. “I would have never imagined hearing those words come out of your mouth,” she looked deep into his eyes now, they reflected emotionless golden pools. With his hair down and wearing the white shirt he looked almost as she remembered him. Although something was missing.

“Where is that furry thing you used to always wear?” she asked out of nervousness. She was taking liberties that would have ended her life almost a year ago. His was quite amused even though his face remained like stone. In an instant his eyes were shot through with red and she could feel the youki gather. His hair was caught in a phantom wind and before she could stand up to bolt for the door everything settled and there he was, wrapped in the furry fluff she had always remembered. She was awestruck.

“This is an extension of my Youkai form. It is like a badge of merit for my kind. Not being so… necessary in this age I suppress it,” he answered her question with amusement in his voice. She looked at him and could definitely feel his demon presence clearly now. So he's been suppressing himself? “It attaches to my person at the junction of my neck and shoulders,” he answered what he thought would be her next question.

“Wow, I've never seen it close before,” she sighed as she leaned forward. `What, was I going to touch it? What a stupid idea,' she thought to herself and settled back onto her pillow. She could feel energy radiating from him now and the familiarity brought tears to her eyes. `I'd never noticed Inuyasha's youki until I couldn't be around him anymore. God I've missed this,' she thought to herself.

She slowly took a deep breath. This youki was much stronger than Inuyasha's and she almost felt intoxicated by it while closing her eyes momentarily to feel hot tears slide down her cheeks.

He had been enjoying the release of energy when he noticed she was weeping silently and breathing deeply. Was she feeling his youki this strongly? Most humans wouldn't notice. However he remembered that she was at one time thought of as a miko.

“I did not intend to make you uncomfortable,” he said with a slight hint of concern. It seemed that with more of his youki he released more distant and like his old self he became. He shifted slightly unnoticed to the normal eye. That is what he missed most about his pelt, the security of being partially obscured. She waved slightly as if to scoff at her emotions.

“It's nothing. Your energy reminds me a bit of Inuyasha,” she said with a choked laugh. He was very interested; did she take comfort in his demon power? All questions aside he knew it was getting later by the minute and she would be expected home soon. She too had checked the clock and realized it was almost ten. She'd been there for six hours!

“Well, this has been lovely and I thank you for your hospitality but I really must be going,” she began to stand and was stilled by a hand on her shoulder. He was behind her! It startled her enough to sit back down and freeze. She could feel the fur of his pelt against the bare skin of her legs as she sat with them tucked under at a slight angle. Energy was prickling her skin like static.

“Please wait here. I will drive you home,” he said in an authoritarian voice. Gracefully he stalked off down his personal corridor. He was really starting to act the part now. She found that she wasn't too fond of it either. She shifted uncomfortably, finding herself missing the energy. It was gone before her senses had the chance to enjoy it. Even if he reverted back to being an ass for the time being.

He emerged moments later having changed his clothes and `suppressing' himself. His hair was back in a high ponytail like his father's and again and his eyes had softened back to the `new' Sesshoumaru. His shirt was a gray color and his pants were a bit more formal. He was carrying a soft leather jacket.

“You know it's very warm out,” she said with a bright smile. He returned her smile with his eyes. He was very handsome in darker colors. It brought out his hair and eyes making his face almost angelic to a fault.

“I like to make myself as dark as possible when going out among humans,” he explained. She almost laughed. The only thing darker clothing could accomplish would be to make him stand out more. “If you are ready we will leave,” he said while donning his jacket in one smooth motion.

Being around him made her feel awkward like a gawking teenager compared to a ballet dancer. She would have to find a way past this feeling if she wanted to consider herself almost near the same status. He said that she should give herself more credit. Well then, she would try.