InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In Present Company ❯ Chapter 10

When Kagome woke the next morning, she found herself wrapped up in Sesshomaru's pelt—but no Sesshomaru. She looked around, startled, but he came into the clearing within seconds of her panic. She calmed and stood, the cold air assaulting her bare skin as soon as she abandoned the warm fur. She snatched up her shirt and put it on quickly, brushing off the dirt. She tried not to make eye contact with Sesshomaru.

 

Good grief, she wondered, how on earth are we going to get along now? Sesshomaru had made it clear he had no intention of going any further with her out of doors. Kagome found this a little sad, as making love under the stars seemed awfully romantic. Granted, probably not the best idea for a first time, but….

 

Oh God… she swallowed. Here she was, practically a miko save for formal training, and she was planning to loose her virginity to a Yokai who only a few weeks ago was nothing more to her than a fair-weather ally.

 

And she had thought her life was going to be normal once Naraku died. She momentarily wondered if she were doing the right thing, and dared to look at Sesshomaru.

 

He was putting his pelt back on, his movements exact, comfortable. He knew what he was doing, whatever he did. She saw in him confidence, patience, and a degree of self-control she was very much jealous of. He was well aware of what she was, and she couldn't imagine he had become enamored of her on a whim. It must have been a long, difficult fight he slowly lost with himself, and with his father.

 

She remembered his definition of attachment from the night before. She certainly “greatly appreciated” him. But did she love him? She was human, it was important to her. If she did, it was certainly nothing like she had imagined. When she had fancied herself in love with InuYasha, she had loved to dream about him, imagine him saying things he would likely never say (at least not willingly) and all the romantic times they would share. With Sesshomaru, she found herself hoping he didn't do such foolish things, because she felt the way he acted was more honest, and true. She found herself savoring the things he said, not only because they were few and far between but because she valued his words. He was concise, and so what he said must have more meaning imparted to it. She even enjoyed being near him when he was silent. She felt he was truly interested in the things she told him. She felt safe, and appreciated, and for once on even terms.

 

For even though Sesshomaru was certainly the more powerful of the two of them, he always treated her as if she could hold her own. She was a rational adult in his mind, deserving of equal respect and trust as anyone else. Should she need protecting, he would certainly rise to the occasion, but it was less that she therefore become indebted to him than it was sheer practicality. Kagome found it odd that in an age where most men were very sexist, (a category which, sadly, InuYasha easily fell into) Sesshomaru wasn't concerned with the idea. He knew he was more powerful, he didn't need to re-affirm or even mention it. If she wanted to be independent, it was hardly a threat. Of course, he very obviously recognized she was female. But only in those situations where it was really important.

 

When Kagome really thought about what she wanted, it was simple. Sesshomaru interested her greatly. She liked to be interesting for him. She loved the way he thought, his fresh but logical perspective most likely granted to him by his centuries of experience. If she had to pick anyone she'd like to talk with, from either era, it would have to be him. Life without Sesshomaru would be boring.

 

What if when she returned to her own time she was unable to see him any more? The thought came unbidden, and her chest seemed to clench up. She mentally panicked a moment. What if when she left the well wouldn't let her back? Would he still be alive in her era? This kind of idea had often popped up concerning InuYasha, but now a new option teased at her brain: Well, maybe I should just stay. I can't seem to relate to anyone in my own time anyway.

 

Kagome nearly stopped dead in her tracks. Would she really be willing to never go home if it meant staying with Sesshomaru? The answer surprised her. Well. That settled it then. She must love him, if she was willing to give up all that. She smiled a little. She had never expected it to feel like this.

 

As she came out of her reverie, they had already covered a good distance. As they came into a clearing, though, she realized that they were walking towards the sun, which hung about halfway up the sky.

 

“Uh…. Sesshomaru?” she asked.

 

He made no motion but she knew he was listening. “Um, are we going East?”

 

Still he did not look back. “Yes.”

 

“Uh… why?” Kagome was honestly confused.

 

“There is a village nearby,” he said simply.

 

“Oh. I have plenty of food…” she offered.

 

He stopped, turning to face her. “We are on the western side of the mountains. We need to be on the eastern side.”

 

Kagome blinked. “Oh.”

 

“We are coming near a pass, and it is the last easy one before our destination.”

 

Kagome nodded. “Ok.” That made sense. “How close are we to Edo, anyway?”

 

“We have just recently past the half-way point in our journey.”

 

Kagome's eyes widened. Only half way? “You mean we have to keep walking another three weeks?” she demanded.

 

“Perhaps only two. I had not realized you were so anxious to end this journey.” He turned away and continued walking.

 

Kagome paused. His last sentence had been pronounced in an icy-cold tone. There had been a time that she had thought it was the only tone he employed, but now she noticed the difference. She thought about it a moment, working out Sesshomaru's latest puzzle with a sort of guilty pleasure. She enjoyed the usual challenge, really. Clearly, he did not want the journey to end soon. Surely he was worried about Rin and Jaken, as she was sure the others were worried about her. She realized, though, that as long as they were heading towards their destination it was just the two of them. There were no interferences aside from those they happened upon. They didn't need to concern themselves with anything but getting home… and each other.

 

Ah, Kagome realized. He seemed to equate her wish to get back to Edo quickly with a wish to be rid of him just as soon. And here she had thought his ego was untouchable. Smiling a little, she jogged to catch up with him.

 

“You know,” she said in a conversational tone, “I've been thinking. You really don't need to carry me when I'm sleeping.”

 

He regarded her out of the corner of his eye, for once not catching on immediately. For a split second he thought she was going to reject him completely. “I assure you it is no inconvenience. I don't mind it.”

 

She nodded. “Yes, but it isn't dignified. For you, I mean. I was wondering, if we stopped to rest every night instead of you carrying me, would it really lengthen the trip that much?” she grinned slyly, looking up at him.

 

He caught on quickly. “Perhaps. Another week, perhaps two.”

 

Kagome pretended to think about it. “I think that's acceptable.”

 

Sesshomaru's forehead lifted, and she knew he was smiling, on the inside.

 

“In that case…” he continued. “I think it would be wise if you rested a while before we went into the mountains. It will be difficult terrain, and if you think I shouldn't carry you, then you should be well prepared for a hard time.”

 

She smiled. “I think that's an excellent idea.”

 

 

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A/N:

 

OMG SQUEEEEEE!!!!!! Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments!!! I even got an email!!!! So obviously you guys like this story, huh? Well, I've been writing some more and I reached a bit of a sticking point, but since my hubby's been home recently I'll have more inspiration to work off of!!! ^.~

Anyway, I've got a few short chapters to post and then I'll start writing again. I really appreciate all your support.

 

Like I've said before, though, this isn't a story I really try really hard on, because it's just for fun. If you like my writing I really suggest you read Kazemaru & Miharu, since that's the one I really spend most of my efforts on. It's my baby. The first two chapters are a little slow, but I wrote them over a year ago, so my writing style has improved greatly. You can see it as the chapters go by. Once I get the whole story out I'll go back and carefully revise until it shines like the top of the Chrysler building, but for now the plot is plenty interesting. Comments on it would make my heart glow.