InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Elsewhere ❯ Chapter Twelve ( Chapter 12 )

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

By: flowers

I dedicate these chapters to BlueSaiyanAngel.My angel my muse.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha nor do I profit from this.

“It won't do

To dream of caramel

To think of cinnamon

And long for you

It won't do

To stir a deep desire

To fan a hidden fire

That can never burn true”

- Suzanne Vega, Caramel

“Oh you speak to me in riddles
and you speak to me in rhymes
my body aches to breathe your breath
your words keep me alive”

- Sarah McLachlan, Possession

Chapter Twelve

He had done everything in his power to live a peaceful life since the naivety of youth left much blood on his hands. He had even accepted the fate of `blending' in with these human creatures. Yet at this time he wanted nothing more than to massacre a score of them. Drink their filthy blood, rip flesh, melt bone.

But the psychological side of him asked him why. Why after all these centuries did he want to spill the blood of a race he had made a truce with after his only daughter's death? He decided that only a `business' meeting could bring this on.

He sat at the head of his table in a western chair that made his back ache and his youki flare. All the worthless, filching `partner's' of his `business' scattered about. Drinking deeply of his sake, finding new ways to bleed money out of him and into their greedy pockets. He felt completely stupid for even `leasing' and `developing' his land.

If his western expanse were left wild and free he wouldn't have to bear these pig-like humans rooting his coffers. And thusly he inflicted these meetings on himself for allowing human development of his land. He listened to their words, took their plans laid out on paper, and they awaited his final decision.

They never understood why a man so wealthy and powerful could live in such a small shack in a tiny neighborhood. And dress like a commoner. Of course these thoughts never met his ears. They would be tossed out of contract.

He was so manipulating and conniving. He offered contracts that they couldn't bow out of yet he could take his leave at any time. That was one of the perks of his kind of power. Owning western Japan made him very powerful indeed so they kissed his ass and tried their best to convince him their plans were `for the best'.

He wanted nothing more than to see these lowly insects writhing on the floor in pool of their own excrement. But he always resisted this urge until the long hours passed and they were finally gone. He simply must attain a representative. At first he couldn't bear to see someone take charge of these meetings concerning his land. But with every aching hour he wished he had bent and done so. He knew after all was finished his opinion would change again. He would never see anyone else even in mock control of his family's birthright.

Finally freedom.

They left one by one with many deep bows he returned with only a nod of his head. He wished he could return the gesture with his poisons. He wanted to do something, anything to stretch his body and relieve this dull ache for blood. However he had hunted earlier that day, knowing how this `parade of stupidity' would irk him. He walked into his garden and relaxed on a large flat stone, his meditation stone.

As he went through some relaxing stretches his thoughts strayed to the human that he had harmed but wished a thousand times he hadn't. He cursed himself for losing concentration. He needed to get out, see the world in its summer bloom of beauty. Natural beauty was most pleasing to his eyes. Even though his garden was quite lovely the wild beauty out-of-doors was preferable. He had a sudden thought and finished his stretching early to find the phone.

It had been three torturous long days. She sat at the foot of her bed relieved that her friends had left. More of the same old `my boyfriend this, my boyfriend that' gossip that brought her now usually tolerating mood back to the pit of self-pity and grief. Her mother hearing all the boy talk mentioned that Kagome had been seeing someone. Kagome knew she meant well, she could see her daughter truly not enjoying the conversation.

“Well, Kagome. What about that young man you've been visiting,” came her happy words. Her friends looked at her with inhumanly huge eyes. She felt sweat beading on her forehead. What was she going to say?!

“Kagome-chan, you've been keeping secrets!”

“Why do you never tell us when you date someone?”

“What is his name? Where does he go to school?”

Her face was getting red but it wasn't from embarrassment. Now she had to make up a whole new lie off the cuff. Why did mother want to torture her? Her mother smiled happily and sauntered away. Kagome wanted to throw the table lamp at her.

She proceeded to tell them that she had been meeting with Inuyasha's brother in a platonic sort of way to hear about what's going on. “But my mother doesn't know. I really didn't feel like telling anyone this right now,” she whispered with a finger to her lips. Her friends felt very privy hearing something no one else knew.

“Don't worry Kagome we'll keep your secret, so, is he tall and handsome?” Kagome rolled her eyes, they're minds were unanimously on one thing at all times. But hasn't she been the same way? She laughed and explained his wild beauty to them.

She smiled slightly now, remembering their faces and what they said. Maybe her mother had been right after all. There was a knock on the door.

“Kagome can I make a suggestion?” her mother said through the door.

“What is it now mom?” Kagome asked in a none-too-amused-voice. Her mother opened the door and smiled deeply at her daughter.

“Why don't you try calling him,” she said in the same chipper voice that drove Kagome batty at times.

“Mother! Leave me alone, he's going to call me I guess,” she huffed and thought at that moment she had said too much. She wanted to keep her family completely out of this. Her mother just smiled and closed the door, having proved that her moping was about this `new boy' and not the old sadness. That was enough for her to know.

Kagome breathed a huge sigh and lay down. The phone rang. She jumped up instantly and tore from her bedroom, down the stairs, and to the phone in a flash quite to the amusement of her mother. She most definitely didn't want her mother to talk to him but secretly she was hoping it might be him indeed.

“Hello?” she panted.

“Kagome,” came the deep voice. It was the sweetest thing she had heard in three days.

“Sesshoumaru,” she breathed and put her back to the wall. This was very relieving, she hadn't seen or heard from him in so long she thought he'd changed his mind. She really didn't want to lose contact with the only person linked to her past, and with recent developments, for others reasons she kept from her mind.

“I would like to visit the sea again,” he said. Did he mean with her? `Of course stupid, why else would he say that' she thought.

“Yeah, it was beautiful,” finally a sane remark from her over the phone. She almost felt proud of herself. Maybe three days helped her clear the crap from her brain.

“I will be taking my car. Would you like to join me?” he asked coolly. She thought for a second about the distance of that drive and smiled.

“Yes that would be great,” she replied.

“The landscape is beautiful this time of year,” he said quite to her surprise, thinking he would hang up the phone directly after the question was answered. She felt the stupid monster creeping up her spine again.

“Yes nature is very… natural,” she replied with a scowl. Why did she even open her mouth? Souta was listening to her from the kitchen and began laughing. “Yeah, hold a second,” she said and stalked over to hit her brother quite smartly over the head with the phone. “Okay I'm sorry about that. You don't mean tonight do you?” she said and looked out the window into darkness.

“No, tomorrow, later in the evening. It will be pleasant to see you again,” he replied. She felt the burning coal in her stomach spark at his remark. She closed her eyes slightly.

“Yeah,” was all that came to her mind. She heard the click of the phone on the other end. He hung up on her again and she smiled.

He felt he had inadvertently stumbled onto something wholly unwanted as he stared at the phone in his hand. Why did he wish to spend his reflective time with this human? Driving, relaxed him greatly and he wondered at himself for wanting to include this slip of girl in his more private activities.

He scoffed at himself, driving was not a `private' activity. He had spent too much time around sentimental humans. Yet here he was, inviting a sentimental human girl along on a preferably tranquil trip. However he anticipated this to be enjoyable. He had willfully kept his presence from her for a number of days. Allowing himself the occasional nighttime window observation of course.

He surmised this would ease her reaction to his blood. He hoped this plan had worked. She would be enjoying the scenery and splashing happily in the sea before time to leave. He smiled at this thought but his thoughts darkened.

Why did he force haunted memories of Rin on her? He didn't have the privilege of enjoying Rin at this age. But he would enjoy this girl, seeping with innocence and childlike grace by the sea. He was actually feeling the slightest bit excited at the thought. He would rest well tonight and meditate heavily tomorrow.

She woke very early, the sun had barely peeked from the horizon. `Great, now I'll have more hours of waiting…' thinking to herself, excited. She had really enjoyed the time she spent with him, at least on this side. She chuckled at the thought of `feudal era' Sesshoumaru asking her to the beach. She jumped up and began to prepare. “Should I pack a swim suit? Yes definitely, this two-piece will do nicely…” she hummed to herself wondering if she should wear it under her clothes.

Her mother packed a gruesomely heavy bag filled with food, sun block, clothes, snacks, etcetera. It was around four o'clock and she huffed at the weight of the bag. “Mom I'm not going through the well, I'm going to the beach for a couple hours,” she yelled down the hall unpacking useless items. Her mother came to the kitchen and blushed a bit.

“I'm sorry hun. You can never be too prepared,” she replied. For once she mentioned the well without crying and becoming melancholy. This was wonderful. The sound of a car horn set Kagome towards the door.

“That's him, I'm going mom, be back later,” she said with a wave. Her mother rushed to the door to get a look at this young man healing her daughters broken heart. She almost jumped; he looked like Inuyasha meeting Kagome to politely take her bag. No, Inuyasha would never do that she thought and laughed a bit. With the resemblance no wonder Kagome enjoyed his company. She smiled and closed the door.

In the car Kagome felt pretty at ease. She looked at Sesshoumaru, he had his hair back and his markings gone. He was wearing dark slacks and a dark gray shirt with long sleeves of course. She chuckled, he was going to be very hot today. “Hmmm, that won't he a change…” she mumbled to herself and chuckled again. He cut her a questioning glance.

“This will be a long drive. I will have the windows down and the roof open, you should tie back your hair,” he stated. She was wearing denim shorts and a white tank top, her bathing suit showing through. `Good' he thought, she would enjoy herself today. Her presence was much less… intense. All of these were good signs. He rolled down the windows and opened the sunroof and she put her hair back like he had said. She hadn't been a car with a sunroof before, living in Tokyo it was a better idea to take mass transit everywhere instead of owning a car. She was excited. Soon enough they were on their way.

She found he was a fast driver but with his reflexes she relaxed a bit. The roar of the wind whipping around her face was delicious. This was great. He observed her from the corner of his eye. She was looking out the window, almost giddy like this was her first ever car ride. He let himself smile. She caught it and grinned back widely. He had been keeping that luxurious smile from her lately.

She fought the urge to stand up and look out the sunroof. She was almost itching to do it. Her mood now was very freeing, she wasn't laid low by that burning ache in his presence. Maybe his blood was the reason she had acted so… lustful. She giggled at her thoughts, `wanton' as he would call her, she laughed out loud and put her hand on his arm to consummate the newfound `freedom' from her body.

He didn't flinch or cut her a harsh look he only continued with a half smile now. She then put her head out the window. He was driving very fast and the wind felt like it would cut her face. Sitting there, with her head out the window like a dog was the most silly, fun she had done in a while. Well, without the addition of sake that is.

The landscape raced by and he was thoroughly happy he had brought her along. Hours of quiet were now transformed to hours of quiet happiness. She would act like the foolish human child she was and he would remain reserved. This was almost too good to be true.

Too soon they were at the shoreline. He parked the car next to a sandy hill and they sat there for a bit, they had been silent the whole trip. She felt a little tense, did he expect her to speak? He opened his door and stepped out. She did the same pulling her engorged bag from the back seat harshly then fell on her backside in a pile of pristine sand. He looked at her with amusement in his eyes and walked to the trunk. She stood up and dusted herself off. `I'm such a clumsy idiot,' she thought to herself but smiled. He seemed to enjoy her lack of grace.

She left him at the car and walked out to the beach. It was deserted, he must keep this place off limits. She noticed a few “no trespassing” signs as they turned down the gravel road to this place. The air was briny and fresh. She proceeded to lie out a large towel she had bought three years ago for just such an occasion beyond the well.

Happy memories of Inuyasha flooded her mind, fetching sticks she would throw much to his dismay on a peaceful beach like this. She wondered if Sesshoumaru would do the same thing and laughed at the thought. She smiled while taking off her shirt then slipping off her shorts. Time to test the water, it was a good temperature. She turned to look at Sesshoumaru. He was standing next to her bag holding a sword and observing her. She paced towards him eying his sword. He looked amused again.

“This is Tenseiga,” he stated. She looked very interested and edged closer. He didn't seem to mind so she moved in. She had never seen it this close before. It's sheath was very delicate and ornate, she smiled, it was just like him. He enjoyed her interest and removed it. It was simple and beautiful with an ornate woven grip. It fit him perfectly. She looked at him and smiled.

“It looks just like you,” she said and quickly scurried back to the ocean. He was pleased with her remark. He had learned all in all it was a great gift, his father knew him well. He sheathed it again and began to unbutton his shirt. He wanted to go through some techniques today. The ocean was his chosen place to do this. Something about the calm deadliness of the ocean sparked him. The fierce but peaceful elemental beauty.

He removed his shirt as to keep himself cool. He wished for his robes now with their magical properties but refrained from wearing them on such a `modern' outing. He chose to bring Tenseiga as opposed to Toukijin for sentimental reasons. His memories of Rin were intense this time of year. He released his pent up youki, stretched his shoulders a bit, and commenced.

She was waist deep in the water splashing around enjoying herself. She wondered if he ever swam, or better yet, if she could convince him. She turned around to find him. He had taken off his shirt and shoes. She could sense his youki and his pelt was dancing around him. He was practicing with his sword. An intense wave of heat hit her. He was more attractive to her then than he had ever been. She was very grateful that she was in the water, masking her scent. She bent down a bit more into the cool water to watch.

He bent, dipped, swayed, leapt, crouched. She couldn't pull her eyes away. He stopped shortly to observe her making sure she was enjoying herself. She was staring at him. He sheathed his sword and walked toward her. He wasn't sweating or even breathing heavy. She sank deeper into the water as he crouched at the shoreline.

“Are you enjoying yourself,” he asked. She observed his shirtless body. He was well toned and at his hips dark maroon markings curled and disappeared into the waistline of his pants. Markings like the ones on his arms and face. This was exceedingly attractive. She sank deeper.

“Yeah, wow, you're not sweating,” she replied. He looked at her with a cocked eyebrow. She was acting peculiar and sullen again.

“I am InuYoukai and as you know Inu do not `sweat',” he answered. She found this very interesting and stood up slightly.

“Do you pant then?” she asked before she could stop herself. He eyed her coolly, emotionless as usual.

“No human I do not,” he stood and started to walk away.

“Wait,” she snapped. He turned to look at her. “How about a swim?” she said and playfully splashed at him.

“I do not swim unless need be,” he replied. She was turning back to normal and this heartened him.

“Are you scared?” she taunted and splashed at him again. She wanted to see how far down those markings went and if by chance, he had any more. He gave her a half smile but something told her it wasn't out of amusement.

“There is not much I fear in this world human,” he stated. She was hoping he took that as a challenge. He started to walk away again.

“Except water huh?” she said to his back taking this to the next step. Hopefully she would lose this challenge. He turned to face her with a smirk and undid his pants. In a flash he was in the water next to her.

“Water is not a fear of mine,” he said flatly. She had lost and enjoyed it thoroughly. How like Inuyasha he was when challenged. She had just the slightest peek of his legs and his ankles had markings too. He stared at her for a bit and she had no idea what to do. She sank back down. He seemed to like this reaction. His pelt was floating languidly behind him.

The feel of the water was actually quite nice. It had been a long time since he'd been in the sea. He sank down a bit as well. The slight waves tossed them about. He stared at her like he was waiting for a response. She swallowed hard.

“I see you have more markings,” she breathed. Her arousal while not apparent to him, was quiet the opposite for her. It was a dull ache and luckily the water was cool enough to hide her blush. However he could sense her heartbeat rise.

“Does that please you?” he asked with amusement. She sank deeper into the water. He liked this position. His remark, her retreat. He liked it a little too much.

“It's pretty,” she replied. He laughed deep in his chest of course keeping his mouth closed.

“I have heard attractive but never pretty,” he thought back on previous trysts. Her remark was strangely pleasing. He moved toward her just to watch her sink deeper into the water. It was almost reaching her chin now. Was she hiding something? She must be aroused trying to mask it with the water.

This advance and retreat was getting too intense for him. She reacted to him like a youkai female at times. Almost like she knew what she was doing. Challenging and retreating. This ebb and flow stirred something within him. He sank down and let himself float a bit. Why did he refrain from swimming?

“You like swimming don't you?” she asked.

“It is pleasing,” he replied

“I didn't think you would do it,” she continued.

“I can not back down from a challenge,” he stated and looked at her with a flash in his eyes. She could have taken that in many ways. She wanted very much to touch him but that lingering fear and doubt tugged at her again. He was acting very different towards her than he ever had.

“I guess you don't get many challenges,” she said.

“Not for a long while,” he replied with the same intense stare. As if he were expecting something from her. She almost thought he looked playful, like a dog when you're holding its favorite ball. She smiled a bit at the thought. He moved closer.

It had been so long since he played this ageless game. Even if it were with a human girl he would entertain this instinct a bit more. She moved away. This was impossible. Maybe she learned something of youkai nature from his brother or maybe she was plainly uncomfortable. However he didn't care at that moment. He moved closer, inches away from her now awaiting her next move.

She had enough of this. What kind of game was he playing? She turned and started to swim away. He caught her arm. She gasped a bit. He pulled her back to look in his eyes raising her a little from the water. He searched her face, her eyes, this reaction couldn't be planned. Her face wore too much surprise.

“Don't turn your back on this Sesshoumaru,” he growled slightly. She didn't know what to think. Was he being playful? Could he be playful? She tried to pull her arm away but he held a bit tighter. She would take this for being playful. She jerked her arm out of his grasp and splashed him in the face. She turned and dove under the water. The game was on.

He followed suit and grabbed her right ankle. She kicked and resurfaced only to splash his face again. His eyes were quite bright. This would have been alarming if this hadn't been a simple game. She was enjoying this. She quickly dove back in to be jerked back up by her arm. She screamed and laughed splashing his face again.

She succeeded this time in freeing herself and swimming away a bit. In the water she was alarmed to feel a warm body encircle her and force her to resurface. She opened her eyes to golden pools, bright and sparked, inches from hers.

“I have won,” he said in a low voice. His hands were grasping her arms tightly. She swallowed hard. Feeling the heat of his body set her own body to flame. A slow and numbing ache set in.

“I guess you have,” she breathed. Thinking all the time she was the big winner here or maybe not. She had been so happy that the ache was gone and their silence had been happy, deeper than words. It was all consuming now. She was afraid, confused, and anxious again. He picked up on her slight fear. This was not a good sign. He grabbed her by her waist and hauled her to the sand. He laid her down carefully. Her fear intensified.

He had to taste her, she wouldn't deny him.

“Do not be afraid, I will not harm you this time,” he said softly as he lay down beside her. Her arousal was intoxicatingly strong. He hovered over her and took one of her hands to his mouth. He grazed her skin slightly on the top with his fang and tasted her blood. Finally, this taste was filling his senses again.

She lay perfectly still. He had been correct, with only a gasp she let him do as he pleased. She writhed a bit and sighed, her body arched to meet his. This was not what he intended. He released her and sat at her side. She stared at him with lust hazing her eyes. This didn't even startle her, he had only intensified her arousal. At any rate it was probably best she didn't become afraid. It had enabled him to snap out of this `blood trance'.

“Kagome,” he said softly. She looked at him, stopping herself from reaching for him. “I do not know why I desire your blood but I will not mate you girl. This has gone too far and I apologize for my actions,” he said in the same soft voice but coolly. She started to cry. She couldn't understand any of this. Why he was acting this way, why she felt this way.

“I don't understand,” she hissed as hot tears slid down her cheeks.

“Do not worry yourself with it. This like all things, will pass,” he stated looking into her eyes. Her heart ached, her groin ached, and her head ached. She stood up shakily. The scent of her blood again caught his nose. He remained seated. She looked at him and then out to the ocean, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“I know I'm human. I know I'm clumsy and stupid acting. I'm sorry for being human and for feeling this way, I can't help it, I don't know why… why are you teasing me do you like to see me this way?” she screamed at him. He looked to the ground.

“You are not stupid or clumsy. Never apologize for being what you are,” he said in monotone. This set her over the edge.

“You remind me I'm human like it's a disease. If you think so much of me then… why…” she choked on sobs. This was too much. Too much grief, too many missing pieces and unsaid words. She felt trapped. And what does a trapped animal do but run?

She took off for a line of trees to the right. He watched her for a second. Content to let her go and find her later then he scented her blood just as she crossed the line of trees. He could hear her heartbeat from where he sat. She was retreating…

This thought froze his mind and locked all sane gears of reason.

He took to flight.