InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ghost of Love ❯ chapter 8 ( Chapter 8 )

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

The afternoon heat was finally beginning to lose to the evening's cooling breeze when two impressive figures shadowed the shrine entrance. Kagome lifted her hand in greeting to Inuyasha. Behind her a trembling figure stood, hands grasping tight to her kimono. Things were about to get interesting.

Her eyes met with Inuyasha's before locking onto Sesshoumaru's tall frame. Kagome watched intently as he turned his head slightly, catching subtle scents on the breeze. The shrine was one of his least favorite places to be. For the time being they were down wind from the taiyoukai, but that would only mask Sumire for another few seconds. With Sesshoumaru's incredible senses, he would surely detect her scent soon.

Inuyasha looked somewhat uneasy as he led the way, well aware of the surprise that was hiding behind her. For all his talk about wanting to see the look on Sesshoumaru's face he didn't seem to excited at all. Even though the pair had somewhat reconciled it was obvious neither cared to be in close proximity to one another.

Kagome caught her breath when Sesshoumaru suddenly paused. His normally expressionless face erupted in a fierce scowl. Kagome cringed when a low growl broke from his throat.

“What is the meaning of this?” He barked, obviously displeased at the presence he had just discovered.

Kagome felt Sumire's hands tighten even more. She thought it almost impossible that the taiyoukai couldn't hear the poor girl shaking. Sumire's knees were likely knocking together at this point.

“Myoga sent me on one hell of a goose chase for this. Now play nice you hear! Come on Kagome.” Inuyasha motioned her over. It was clear he intended to simply leave the two alone to discuss whatever needed to be said.

“Umm, about that Inuyasha...” Kagome trailed off trying to move forward, only to be ground to a halt by the woman behind her. “I think I need to stay for a little longer.”

“Oh for the love of...” Inuyasha stomped over to his miko, extending a strong arm behind her to pry off the woman. He paused when a threatening growl rumbled from the taiyoukai. Inuyasha promptly dropped his hands to Kagome's waist and rested his head on her forehead. He drew a deep breath and sighed heavily.


“This isn't going all that well is it?” His words were whispered against her ear. Kagome knew he was frustrated and judging by his entrance earlier, the trip with his brother must have been trying.

“Now lets all just take a step back and calm down. This situation isn't easy on anyone. Sumire is scared witless and Sesshoumaru just had a life changing event thrown in his face.” Kagome reached up and lovingly rubbed one of her hanyou's ears. When he backed up and smiled at her she turned slightly and gently pried a shaking hand from her.

With one hand freed of her robes she was able to turn more and pull a terrified girl beside her. Sumire instantly linked arms and sought comfort in the miko beside her. Kagome noticed that the youkai refused to look at anything but her feet. She was about to offer some words of comfort when Sesshoumaru's cold voice broke the silence.

“Disgraceful. Consorting as a peasant boy. And a filthy one at that.” His harsh tone did more than reflect his displeasure at the tiny form in front of him. He was down right cruel.

Could he not see how frightened Sumire already was? Kagome's anger quickly burned as his demeanor went from cold to downright frigid. This was his fiancée! Not some enemy he was about to cut down. Without thinking she braced her hands on her hips and flared her temper at him.

“Sesshoumaru-sama, you will treat Sumire-chan with the respect she deserves. She is terrified enough without you adding fuel to the fire. Right now she has some important issues to discuss which I'm sure you will be more than happy to deal with. Do I make myself clear!” Her eye's drew into a fierce gaze as she stared down her opponent. She wouldn't be intimidated at a time like this. Besides, who was he to act like that to someone he was essentially bound to.

Sesshoumaru made a threatening step forward only to be brought up short by a full sized Tessaiga. Inuyasha gave him a meaningful look. The two played a game of silent war before Sesshoumaru drew up straight and Inuyasha sheathed his sword.

“Hn! I won't be bothered to talk to some child playing dress up.” He turned, completely ignoring the two women a mere few feet from him.

“Fine, Inuyasha will you kindly see to it that Sesshoumaru-sama is made at home. Sumire and I are going to get cleaned up. We shall meet you two in the garden when we are ready. I'll have Sango-chan make us some tea for then.” Kagome requested and was relieved when Inuyasha nodded in agreement. Never giving the taiyoukai a second glance she pulled along the withering female until they were secluded in the room they had shared.

“Of all the nerve that man could muster, I've never...!” Kagome ranted, wishing that she had something to hit at the moment. Her blood was practically boiling. She hadn't expected a good reaction out of him but the least he could have done was keep his mouth shut. He wasn't a man of many words to begin with.

Calming herself, she had to look at it another way. For Sesshoumaru to be so out of character he must have been rather startled by finding Sumire here. Perhaps they should have given the Taiyoukai some warning. Then again, judging by his reaction he may not have come at all.

“Thank you Kagome-chan.” A weak voice called out.

“Oh Sumire-chan, are you all right!” Kagome had almost forgotten about the other woman. She moved to her side once again. “I think he was a little more shocked than we suspected he would be. Sesshoumaru-sama isn't a man that expresses much emotion. For him to have actually displayed any emotion just shows that he was startled.”

“Displayed emotion? Kagome-chan he was absolutely furious. What have I gotten myself into?” Sumire's eye's misted once more.

“It will be fine. Let's get changed. It will give us time to calm ourselves and Sesshoumaru-sama time to collect himself as well. I'm sure the man you meet in the garden will be much more composed.” Not to mention as lacking in any emotion as usual Kagome thought after. That youkai needed a crash course in that topic. It just wasn't normal being that dispassionate and deadpan. Someone needed to light a fire under his ass. How hard would it be to crack a smile every now and then?

Kagome continued to fume as she changed out of her work clothes into a more traditional ceremonial kimono. A quick round of brushing had her hair tangle free. Satisfied with her own transformation she turned to check on Sumire. Her breath caught in her throat at what she saw.

“Would it have hurt you to have been a little nicer to her?” Inuyasha scowled as he stared across the garden at his stoic brother.

“I could say the same to you. Why did you not tell me of your intentions?”

“Feh, if I'd have done that you would have high tailed it out of the country.” Inuyasha watched the uncharacteristic facial expressions on his half brother's face.

“Hn, perhaps.”

Inuyasha tried to read the Taiyoukai but found the task next to impossible. They had indeed grown closer in the last twenty some years but they were still far from friends. His brother was a creature of great mystery. He took care of Rin with a great sense of duty yet rarely did he display any open affection for the girl. Not that she minded.

Rin had often told Inuyasha that Sesshoumaru was easy to understand. She could tell when his moods changed despite the fact that his face remained the same blank slate as always. She had often compared him to a wounded animal. A creature in need of human kindness yet unable to ask for it. He wasn't going to argue with her even though he thought Sesshoumaru to be nothing more than an arrogant jackass most days.

“Whatever, just make sure you don't step out of line this time.” Inuyasha referred to the earlier incident that had seen them practically bearing fangs at each other.

“Your miko has a smart mouth on her.” Sesshoumaru retorted. Clearly he would never admit to being in the wrong.

“Yeah, I like her like that. All wild and untamed. Not like you would now anything about women though.” Inuyasha jeered, loving that he could get a jab in here and there.


Sesshoumaru didn't bother to answer him, instead remaining silent in the corner. After spending the time he had with Sumire, Inuyasha was full of some interesting theories on how she had come to be the fiancée of such a lacking youkai. What could a youkai like Sesshoumaru have to offer her other than his name and protection? Had their parents really thought this through? Sesshoumaru's cold character would have surely been evident at the age he was chosen as her betrothed.

Then again, his father had done some crazier things in the past. Like entrusting the Tensaiga to Sesshoumaru as a way to teach the young lord about compassion. Was Sumire another learning curve for him?

Inuyasha had to scowl at that thought. She was far to nice of a girl to be tangled up with someone like Sesshoumaru. He doubted that the youkai would have any idea what to do with a bride besides the physical aspects.

Then there was the urgency of Myoga's plan to retrieve said girl. He had said it was imperative that she be found and returned to Sesshoumaru's side as soon as possible. Why not send the husband to be instead? Never mind, that was an easy question to answer. As if his brother would ever take orders from a flea.

Myoga was lucky he was such an understanding guy. His gut reaction was telling him that there was something fishy going on. If things ended up in shit creek he was going to be pissed. Anything that kept him from spending the rest of his days peacefully with Kagome was an annoyance. Everyone knew what he did to those who annoyed him.

Kagome... finally his thoughts drifted to something worthwhile. Last night had been bliss. Stealing her lips in a passionate kiss, racing through the night with her on his back once more and tucking in her sleeping form. He had waited too long to do what he had wished most for. It seemed surreal that she had returned at long last.

Speaking of which, he caught those most wonderful hints of sweet seduction on the breeze. Turning his head he smiled at the approach of Kagome. Hearing the sound of crunching footsteps he turned back to acknowledge Sesshoumaru. He wasn't prepared to see a look of total shock on his brother's face.

Sumire approached directly behind Kagome and he too was dumbfounded by what he saw.