InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Into the East ❯ Decisions ( Chapter 5 )

A/N: I got stuck on this one. I couldn't figure out how to write Sesshoumaru's part. Annoying. Anyway, New Chapter! And a couple formatting and typo revisions on some previous chapters. Enjoy!

 

 

Into the East

Chapter five: Decisions

Characters/Plot originally appearing in the anime/manga Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi

Everything else © me

 

 

 

 

 

 

After everything she had seen in the past two days, somehow Vanessa had expected the well to take her home. Unfortunately, this was not to be the case. Not being fond of heights in the first place, she had hesitantly jumped with Kagome into the dark depths of the well. A bright blue-violet light surrounded them and then, suddenly, Kagome was gone. Vanessa cried out at the lost contact and fell the remaining few yards to the unforgiving bottom of the well. She landed awkwardly in her heeled shoes and tumbled, turning her ankle in the process and landing hard on her hip. At first she felt only the bruise on her hip, but when she tried to stand and find a way out, pain lanced through her leg, causing her to give a hiss of pain and a soft “Ow!” before crumbling to a sitting position. Now how am I going to get out of here?

 

As if in answer to her unspoken question, a flurry of white silk and silver hair descended from above, landing lightly beside her at the bottom of the well. Vanessa had barely enough time to wonder why she couldn't have landed like that when a strong arm wrapped around her middle and she was flying up, up out of the well, back into the bright morning sunlight. Sesshoumaru eased her to the ground as best he could with the use of only one arm and knelt over her already-swelling ankle. When he removed her shoes and began gently probing the joint, searching for breaks, Vanessa winced and reached over to remove his hand shaking her head. She was a doctor after all - well, almost - and didn't entirely trust the methods of the era. Sesshoumaru glance at her, his face impassive, yet Vanessa thought she saw a trace of concern flash across his eyes before it was gone. She smiled at him and gingerly felt her ankle, moving it slightly. Wincing and sucking in her breath, she determined that nothing was broken; it hurt like anything, but was only a sprain.

 

Vanessa looked up into the concerned faces surrounding her and smiled. She made a motion as though breaking a twig and shook her head. It seemed that they understood as they released a collective sigh of relief, all except Sesshoumaru who continued to stare at her. Then she remembered. I kissed him. What was I thinking?! …I was thinking I'd be home by now. She smiled at him, tentatively, and finally he stood and moved a few paces away. Vanessa raised her hands for some help in standing, and Miroku and Sango immediately rushed over to her, now that the intimidating demon lord had moved away, and helped her hobble back to Kaede's hut.

 

Just as they reached the doorway, Kagome rushed up, “Oh, Vanessa! I'm so sorry it didn't work, are you ok?” She gasped when she saw that Miroku and Sango were holding her up, “What happened?!”

“I landed a bit awkwardly and turned my ankle. It's just a sprain. A little ice and some rest and I'll be good as new! Could you tell them? I think they understood, but I just want to be sure.” Kagome repeated her words and the others nodded.

“I'll run home and get you some ice. It'll feel better than sticking your foot in the stream.”

“Thanks.” Kagome took her leave again and ran back to the well while Vanessa began wrapping her ankle in some strips of cloth supplied by Kaede. They sure do have a lot of bandages… A shadow fell across her and she looked up to see Sesshoumaru standing in the doorway. He had her shoes. Vanessa smiled up at him and scooted back to the wall, propping her foot up on a rolled blanket. She gestured for him to come in and join her and he looked at her curiously before crossing the room and kneeling to inspect her bandages. “Arigatou,” she said, thankful that one of the few words she had learned was `thank you.' Sesshoumaru peered at her in surprise and nodded. What is he thinking?

 

Vanessa was a social person by nature, and never before this experience had she realized how frustrating it could be to be blocked by a language barrier. She sighed and looked over at Sesshoumaru sitting opposite her near the fire. Despite knowing full well that he wouldn't understand what she said, Vanessa began to talk, “This is kind of frustrating, you know? I want to ask so many questions, to learn more about you and Rin, and why you helped me in the first place, but I don't think anyone here is the best person to ask. They don't seem to like you much - or trust you further than they can throw you, which I'm guessing is not that far.” She laughed a little at that, “Kagome's been great, translating and everything, but it's not the same,” she paused and glanced at Sesshoumaru, but he only continued to gaze at her. To stop herself from getting lost in his golden depths - that was not what she needed at the moment - she hugged her uninjured leg to her chest, resting her forehead on her knee and absently twirling her engagement ring around her finger. “No one knows where I am, but then I guess it's not so much a matter of where I am as it is when.” Footsteps at the door distracted her then. It was Kagome; she had returned with ice from the future and the numbing cold felt good on her swollen ankle.

 

“Thank you, Kagome. I should be good as new in a day or two. I'm sorry to be such a burden on you all. I'm sure you'll be wanting to start searching for your jewel shards again.” But Kagome just smiled at her brightly.

“Don't worry about it. Inuyasha's the only one that ever gets really anxious to hit the trail again.”

“Um… what do I do now? I mean… will I ever be able to go home?”

“To be honest, I don't know. I'll speak with Miroku and Kaede and see if they have any ideas though. But don't worry, we'll figure something out. Until then, rest up.”

“Thanks again Kagome.”

 

Vanessa watched Kagome leave the hut and noticed also that at some point Sesshoumaru had silently left as well. Well why not? I probably wouldn't want to listen to someone chatter away in some gibberish I didn't understand either. I guess I should get some sleep then and let my body do some healing. She sighed, shifted into a more comfortable position and closed her eyes.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Sesshoumaru was baffled. When the miko returned for the second time from the well, this time with ice, he took his leave of the hut. How is it that they are able to keep ice when it is not winter? The thought passed and then his attention returned to Vanessa; she had become a bigger puzzle than he had previously thought.

 

He had pulled her out of the well when it became clear that no one else was making a move to help. Noting that she was sitting, though holding her ankle, he had no concern over moving her, but when he tried to check her for fractures, she all but pushed his hand away. Did she think this Sesshoumaru incapable of assessing an injury? Then it wasn't until after he moved away that she asked for help standing. He huffed to himself mentally. Ungrateful human.

 

Once more inside the old miko's hut, Sesshoumaru saw that she had wrapped her own bandages. This time she didn't stop him from inspecting them. The wrapping looked good - at least as good as any proper healer could have done. Perhaps she is some sort of healer in her time. Vanessa had settled herself against the wall, propping up her foot. She looked so small, so weak. She is human. Humans are weak. Yet she smiled. Vanessa always had a smile for Sesshoumaru - and she thanked him again in his own language. What surprised him more was that she just started talking to him. Obviously there was no way for him to respond in a way that she would understand so he remained silent. That didn't seem to matter however; it would seem that she merely needed someone or something to talk to. He could smell her frustration, presumably at being unable to be understood, then confusion and sadness. Sesshoumaru found himself wanting to comfort the woman, to replace those scents with the lovely scents of her happiness and curiosity. He also thought it absurd that he should want to do such things for a human woman. Pack instinct. That is all. She is still a temporary member of my pack. Still, the feelings brought on unwanted confusion and he found he didn't like it one bit. Thankfully, at that moment the miko returned with her ice and Sesshoumaru was able to slip silently out the door. Surely the presences of all these humans are muddling this Sesshoumaru's senses. Sesshoumaru decided to check on Rin and then take a walk alone to clear his head.

 

The child was playing once again with the kitsune under Goshinboku. Does that child ever run out of energy? It appeared that the human girl was even giving the fox child a run for his money. Soon enough they would crash and end up curled around one another regaining their spent energy in their sleep. Rin should have someone her own age to play with. Jaken would certainly appreciate the reprieve. Unfortunately, Sesshoumaru had no human retainers on his estate and while the youkai tolerated Rin's presence, most were less than enthusiastic about having their pups play with the girl. She had befriended some of his staff, but none of them had children living on the estate and they themselves did not have the time to indulge the girl. Yet Sesshoumaru never ceased to be amazed at how happy the girl always seemed, and how generally well behaved she was. She pulled the occasional prank, as is natural for children, but never in all the time she had spent with Sesshoumaru had she been in any major trouble. Jaken grudgingly looked after the girl when Sesshoumaru was otherwise engaged and cared for her in his own way, though the toad would certainly never admit it. The child simply had a way of growing on a person - or youkai. Now Sesshoumaru realized that the same was also true of Vanessa.

 

The two human females that had somehow insinuated themselves into his life were so completely different from any other human Sesshoumaru had yet encountered. He didn't like it. Humans were by nature beneath a youkai such as himself. If he were to start thinking that the humans he was sometimes forced to eliminate could be anything like Rin or Vanessa or even the monk and the rest of Inuyasha's companions, it would make the job more difficult. Other youkai would begin to see him as weak - if they didn't already, and Sesshoumaru could not have that. His hold on his lands depended on not only his personal power, but also his reputation and the fear that others held for him. Surely word of his dalliance with these humans would reach his enemies and they would begin to make trouble for him. However, he had it in his favor that he had not let anyone know that he would go to Inuyasha's village. Really, humans are more trouble than they are worth. Or were they?

 

Sesshoumaru wandered for a time through Inuyasha's Forest wondering what to do about the human, Vanessa. For all intents and purposes the woman was marooned in this time and place. There was really no one to care for her, and he knew that everything must seem strange and foreign to her. He didn't want to trust her care in the hands of his hanyou half-brother, but could he bring her back to his palace? Would she even want to return with him? On the other hand, he could simply take Rin and leave and think nothing more of the matter. However, Rin was very perceptive for a human child. She had quite taken with Vanessa and would question him incessantly as to her whereabouts and wellbeing, and hadn't he already admitted to himself that the woman was part of his pack, however temporary. But there was still the problem that she was human. Rin was tolerated by the other youkai on Sesshoumaru's estate simply because she was a child - and anyone who dared do her harm would pay dearly at the hands of her guardian. Vanessa was a grown woman. Rumors would spread that Sesshoumaru had taken after his father in more ways than his prestige and innate power, and THAT he would NOT tolerate. The very thought that he, Lord Sesshoumaru, taiyoukai of the Western Lands, would take a human as a mate made his blood boil. He may grow to tolerate the presence of humans, but taking one as a mate was entirely different.

 

The path Sesshoumaru had been following eventually led him back to the old miko's hut, and just as he had predicted, Rin and the kitsune were curled up under the tree, fast asleep. They were close enough to the others and he didn't sense any other youkai nearby so he left them and strode toward the hut to check on Vanessa. This Sesshoumaru has been reduced to playing nursemaid rather than ruling the West. Though, admittedly, it was a pleasant change of pace compared to the tedium of his daily tasks. Said tasks were part of the reason Sesshoumaru had taken Rin out for their little break, aside from taking some time to inspect his lands.

 

Before Sesshoumaru stepped through the door flap, Kagome intercepted him. “Sesshoumaru-sama, Vanessa is sleeping. Um… may I have a word with you?” The taiyoukai regarded her with an impassive eye. She seemed to be the spokesperson of her little group. Well, she is certainly easier to speak with than the half-breed. He nodded and stepped aside, allowing her to lead him a short distance from the hut. “I was wondering if you had thought about what would happen to Vanessa now. Kaede and Miroku are trying to figure out a way to send her home, but until then… I don't know. She could stay here if she wants to, but I couldn't help but notice how taken Rin is with her - when she's not playing with Shippou, that is.” She smiled warmly up at Sesshoumaru.

“Indeed.” Sesshoumaru stood with the young miko in contemplative silence before finally coming to a decision, “She may return with this Sesshoumaru and Rin if she so desires. If that is her wish, we shall leave when she has healed enough to walk. You will discuss the matter with her.”

“Oh! Sure, okay. I'll talk to her when she wakes up again.”

“Very well. Inform me of her decision.” With that, Sesshoumaru turned and strode toward the sleeping children, dropping gracefully to sit at the base of the tree.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

A dull throbbing pain brought Vanessa back to wakefulness. That's right… I can't go home and I'm injured. Great. She sat up and checked the wrapping on her ankle. The bandages were still tight enough, but the ice pack that Kagome brought was nothing more than water, so she unwrapped it from her foot and set it aside. Just then Kagome walked through the door, “Oh! You're awake! Good, I've got something to ask you.”

“Sure, what's on your mind?” Kagome plopped down to sit beside Vanessa.

“Well, Kaede and Miroku are still working on how to get you home, but until then, we need to figure out what to do with you.”

“Oh… Right.”

“There are a few options for you. You could come with the rest of us and search for jewel shards or you could stay here with Kaede…” She glanced over at Vanessa.

“I wouldn't want to be a burden on your group… I wouldn't know the first thing about fighting or finding these shards… and I don't know how much help I would be around here. I mean, I do know medicine, but not Japanese. What do you think I should do?”

“Well… there's one more possibility. If you're interested.”
“What is it?” Vanessa asked, curious.

“Lord Sesshoumaru said that you would be welcome in his home if you wanted to return with him and Rin.” Vanessa's eyes grew wide in surprise. He's invited me to his home? But why? I thought he didn't like humans. She voiced her concerns, “Why? I mean, it's not that I wouldn't be grateful, but… I didn't expect him to offer.”

Kagome smiled back at her, “I don't think anyone really knows what goes on inside the demon lord's head, but I have a feeling he thinks you'll be good for Rin. I agree. I think you'll be good for Rin too.”

“Oh…” For some reason Vanessa felt a touch of disappointment that she was only invited for the girl. I'm being silly, I'm sure he hardly has any time for Rin, and since we're both human… I guess it makes sense.

“And him.” Vanessa snapped her head up, looking at Kagome, uncertain that she had heard right.

“What?”

“It's a good thing he can't understand us because I think he'd kill me in a second for this. I think you'd be good for him.” Vanessa just stared at her, a blush creeping to her cheeks.

“I see…”

“I mean it. He's not as cold since he found Rin, and look at you. For some reason he decided to help you when he could have just walked on by.”

“I would like to see where he lives, to find out more about him, but how will it work if we can't talk?”

“Actually, I think Kaede might have a solution for that. I didn't want to say anything until I knew how you felt about going with him. Just think about it some more. Hey, why don't I help you outside. Kaede should be coming back soon and the fresh air will do you good.”

“Alright.” What can Kaede do to let us talk to one another?

 

Vanessa was thoroughly confused, but also very curious. She let Kagome help her up and she hobbled out the door. Then Sesshoumaru appeared at her elbow opposite Kagome, helping her to take more weight off of her injured ankle. Vanessa should have been surprised at his sudden appearance, but she was starting to feel that her capability of being surprised had left her. Instead, Vanessa smiled her thanks up at him. The three of them sat in the shade and watched the children as they stirred out of their slumber.

 

Rin was the first to awake and noticed Vanessa sitting beside her. She jumped up and threw her arms around the older woman's neck, all but squealing, “Nessa-neesan! Daijoubu?” Vanessa turned to Kagome. She had an idea what the girl meant, but wanted to be sure.

“She asked if you're ok.”

Vanessa hugged the little girl tight, “I'm fine.” Rin giggled and ran to shake Shippou, waking him to play some more. Vanessa watched them chase each other through the short grass and Kagome nudged her. “Hmm?”

“She called you `big sister'.”

“Really?” she smiled, thoughtful. “I guess it's settled then.”

“What is?”

“Well, she can't leave here in the hands of the big bad demon without her big sister.” Kagome gaped at her for a moment and then burst out laughing, very thankful that Sesshoumaru hadn't a clue what the other had said. When Vanessa giggled, the taiyoukai looked down on the laughing pair and raised an elegant eyebrow.

 

When Kagome caught her breath, she turned to Vanessa, “I'll tell Sesshoumaru-sama that you've agreed to leave with him. He'd like to leave as soon as you can walk again.”

“Thank you, Kagome, for everything.”

 

Vanessa watched as Kagome relayed the information to Sesshoumaru. She wanted to see his reaction, but, as usual, there really wasn't much to see. He just glanced at her and nodded, his face devoid of any emotion, except for something that she couldn't distinguish that passed very briefly in his eyes. She didn't have long to consider it though, since Kaede was returning from the village. Miroku had gone with her to help where he could and also to continue their discussion about Vanessa's return home.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Sesshoumaru waited for the two women beside him to stop laughing. He had a strange feeling that it was at his expense. He would let it slide. This time. When the miko stopped gasping and was able to speak coherently, she turned to him.

“Sesshoumaru-sama? Vanessa says that she would like to take you up on your offer. She thinks she'll be well enough in a day or so.” He glanced at Vanessa, nodding his acknowledgement. Why would she wish to travel with one who does not speak her language when she has the miko? He would have to make it clear to his retainers that the same rules apply regarding Vanessa as to Rin. The woman was now, officially, under his protection. They would have to work on communication.

 

As if in solution to Sesshoumaru's communication concerns, the monk and old miko approached them, and Kagome rose to greet them. “Kaede! Miroku! Vanessa has decided to travel with Sesshoumaru-sama back to the Western Lands.” Kaede gave the girl a meaningful look, “Is that so? If that be the case, Sesshoumaru-sama, there is something I would like to try that might aid ye in your travels.”

Sesshoumaru quirked a brow at her, “Go on.”

“There is a little known practice, that I think may be applied to your situation. It is called a `Band of Understanding'. Normally it is used to help settle disputes or in rare cases to aide in marital troubles, but the charm itself is fairly uncommon.”

Leaning forward slightly, giving away his interest, Sesshoumaru asked, “What does such a charm entail?”

“The few that I have seen put into use allow the pair bound by the charm to have a sense of what the other is feeling. I think that I can adapt it so that ye may understand the intent behind the words as though ye be speaking the same tongue.”

“Intriguing.” He shot a glance toward Vanessa who was listening intently as Kagome explained what the old miko had said. When they finished, she met Sesshoumaru's eye and gave him a half smile, shrugging. It was worth a try.

Sesshoumaru turned his gaze up to the old woman, “Do it then.”

“Mind ye, ye two will be connected emotionally. It will not be anywhere near as strong as the mating bond of your kind, Sesshoumaru-sama, but strong enough that ye will not be able to lie to one another without the other knowing,” Kaede cautioned.

 

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes a fraction before replying, “It matters not, this Sesshoumaru does not lie.” Within, however, he was in turmoil. He thought he had his emotions guarded safely enough that no petty charm could connect them to the girl if he didn't wish it. Still, he had not allowed anyone, anyone the opportunity to read his emotions so plainly since… No. It is not the same. This Sesshoumaru will control what the human perceives through the charm and it will be only enough for communication. For the first time in a very long time he felt uncertain, but if he refused they would suspect that he had something to hide. As it stands they already assumed that he felt no emotion, and if the girl felt anything from him, he would have to trust her to keep her mouth shut… or eliminate her. He was growing to dislike the latter option more with each moment he spent with the woman. “Do what must be done, miko.” Why so much for this human? She is no concern of mine. But she was. Just like Rin, he could not abandon her and the best way to keep her safe for the moment was to allow the miko to bind them.

 

Kaede produced a ribbon from one of her sleeves. “The charm only works as long as ye both have your half of the ribbon about your wrist. Ye should test it before you leave to be sure that if it is removed the charm will still work when the link is replaced. Now if ye will stand side by side, I will place the charm.” A quick word from Kagome and Vanessa stood and moved to Sesshoumaru's right side, careful to keep her weight off of her injury. Kaede then reached out and took Sesshoumaru's right hand and Vanessa's left and lifted them so that they nearly touched. First she tied a loop around Sesshoumaru's wrist and then around Vanessa's. When only a short length of ribbon between the two knots connected the pair, Kaede leaned forward and murmured an incantation over the ribbon, causing it to glow pink. At this point Sesshoumaru's youki flared, rebelling against the close contact of miko powers, but he suppressed it. As yet, the miko energy had not harmed him; it did not seem to be the purifying energy that could destroy a youkai. When the glowing died away, Kaede sliced through the ribbon with a blade and stepped back. Sesshoumaru gazed at her intently, but she was not so easily unnerved by his stare. Finally, when confirmation did not seem forthcoming, he spoke, “How can we be certain that you have succeeded?” His answer, however, did not come from the old miko, but from Vanessa when she snapped her head to the left, and gaped at Sesshoumaru. He could feel traces of her shock, confusion, and… happiness?

“I understood you!” She grinned at him, “I understood you as though you spoke English!”

“I assure you I did not, though I must say this Sesshoumaru is impressed that the charm works so well.”

 

The rest of the group stared at the pair, mouths hanging open. From what they could tell, the pair still spoke completely different languages, yet were responding to one another as though they fully understood. The old miko turned to Sesshoumaru then, “This charm only works on ye two. To everyone else, ye still speak your native tongues. In the case of Vanessa, none but ye, Sesshoumaru-sama, will be able to understand her unless she learns Japanese. Now, try removing the bands and then replace them to test the duration of the charm. They should be loose enough to be removed, yet not so loose that they will be easily lost. If the spell is broken, I will need to think on how to make it stay. If not, then ye may be on your way when ye are ready and not worry about communication. If later ye find that the charm has worn off, return and I will make it stronger, though I do not believe that will be the case.”

 

Sesshoumaru was contemplating how he might remove the band tied about his only wrist, when Vanessa's voice distracted him, “Sesshoumaru, I'll remove mine and see if it is enough to break the link then I'll put it back on and hopefully it will be re-established. That way if we don't want to be connected, then we'll know if only one of us needs to remove the band.” He nodded, hiding his gratitude to her for finding a way around his handicap. Damn that Inuyasha.

 

When Vanessa removed her ribbon band, Sesshoumaru felt her leave his consciousness as distinctly as though she had broken physical contact. Further confirming the break in the link, when she spoke, her words were as incomprehensible to him as they were earlier that morning. He shook his head to indicate that he could no longer understand her. Then, when she slipped the band back onto her wrist, Sesshoumaru felt her again, just as strongly as before. It would seem that the link was permanent. “Miko, what would happen if one of the bands were broken? If it were torn or untied?” Vanessa turned with Sesshoumaru to await Kaede's answer.

“I would imagine that the charm would be broken if the bands were torn. As for being untied, I am not certain. Ye should try both possibilities to be certain of the outcome. I can always create a new one. Try untying one first, and if that breaks the charm permanently, then it should be the same if it were torn.”

 

Sesshoumaru turned back to Vanessa and held his hand out to her, saying, “Untie my band to test the charm then retie it. If the charm holds, then this Sesshoumaru will slice yours. However, this Sesshoumaru will not be able to retie it. Have someone else retie yours and we shall test the boundaries of this charm.” He felt the trace of her curiosity spike at the task as she reached out and deftly untied the knot. How he wished he had two hands again. Once again he felt the connection break, though Vanessa gave no indication that she noticed. Good, perhaps she cannot sense the bond as acutely as this Sesshoumaru can sense her emotions. He gestured to her to replace the bad in addition to verbalizing the command. When she retied the knot, he felt her presence again but not as strongly and said so to Kaede.

“Since I will need to create a new charm, try slicing the ribbon now and retying that to see if there is any connection at all.”

 

Sesshoumaru reached out and hooked a claw under Vanessa's band and neatly sliced through the fabric, severing the connection yet again. The woman caught the ribbon before it fluttered to the ground and held it out to the young miko, knowing that she had understood both sides of the exchange. This time when the band was retied, there was no re-establishment of the connection. Sesshoumaru watched Vanessa as he told Kaede, to see if she understood any of what he said. She only looked slightly puzzled.

 

The old Miko removed the ribbon from Sesshoumaru's wrist and repeated the earlier process with a second ribbon. Satisfied that their link was secure, Sesshoumaru turned to Vanessa, “Rest now, and heal. We leave when you are well enough to walk easily.”

“Thank you, Sesshoumaru. Thank you for everything you've done.”

“Rest.”

As he watched Kagome and the monk help his newest charge back to the hut, Sesshoumaru caught the scent of the only member of the party to have been absent since morning.

“Inuyasha.”

“Sesshoumaru,” the hanyou spat, “Shouldn't you be on your way by now?”

“I assure you, Brother,” the taiyoukai responded, injecting every bit of venom into the word as he could, “I have no wish to linger here longer than necessary.”

Inuyasha glared at his half-brother, “I still don't understand why you even came in the first place. What is she to you?”

“And that is still none of your concern. Your miko will not be going back to her time as was planned, so you may resume your little search for the shards of the Shikon no Tama. Again, what this Sesshoumaru does is of no concern to you.” Sesshoumaru looked at the level of the sun for a moment and then turned toward the main part of the village.

“Don't turn your back on me! Where are you going?!”

“The hour grows late and unlike a certain Inu-hanyou in this village, this Sesshoumaru wishes that the humans under his care are properly clothed. You would do well to heed the example of this Sesshoumaru.” Now, to find a kimono the color of that yukata… He knew the thought was bordering on traitorous of his own ideals, but the color really did complement the woman. She would need proper shoes as well; it really was no surprise that she had injured herself landing on the strange footwear as she did.

 

The village was fairly small, but, thankfully, not so small that it had no kimono dealer. At his palace, Sesshoumaru had his own tailors and seamstresses who could produce garments in any style or cut that he desired. Unfortunately, time was an issue so he settled for finding a simple kimono in a shop. He found a stretch of shops selling food and household items, and finally - yes - clothing. When the taiyoukai entered the small building, waves of fear immediately invaded his senses. He sighed mentally. Humans. Sesshoumaru produced a silver token with the crest of his house imprinted on the surface, and tossed it to cringing shopkeeper, who caught it on reflex. “This Sesshoumaru requires a kimono, human, and sandals.”

“Y-yes. For yourself? I-I have only a small selection of men's clothing.”

He settled a look on the man that clearly said that nothing in his collection would be worth a second glance from one such as himself. “No, this Sesshoumaru requires a kimono for a woman. Bring out your best silks and this Sesshoumaru will make a selection.”

“Right away!” the shopkeeper squeaked, and hurried into the next room to retrieve a stack of neatly folded silk kimono, “These are my best, sir. I hope you find one that pleases you.” Sesshoumaru made a noncommittal noise and began to appraise the colors and prints of the available kimono. He saw none of the silver-gray that he had hoped for, but a deep violet in the stack caught his eye. Reaching forward, Sesshoumaru glared at the man's distrustful gasp, and slid a hand between the layers of silk, careful not to snag his claws on the fabric, lifting the unwanted garments and setting them aside. He could tell that the man wanted to inspect his precious silk for snags or tears, but was either too polite, or too fearful to offend the overwhelming presence before him. Sesshoumaru assumed the latter.

 

The silk was violet, printed with white sakura blossoms on the sleeves and at the collar. It was simple, but would have to do. He selected a soft, white linen undergarment, white tabi socks and a plain black obi. “This is satisfactory. The token is sufficient for the clothing and sandals?” The shopkeeper studied the coin and after doing a quick calculation in his head, his eyes grew wide as he realized that the silver was more than worth the items purchased, “Y-yes! This more than covers everything.”

I should have just taken what I needed and left. “Indeed. Keep the remainder and tell no one of this visit. The sandals?”

“Y-yes, sir!” The man gathered up the rejected kimono and scurried back to his workroom, and, since the woman in question was not present, returned with several different sizes. Sesshoumaru paused, trying to decide which would be the right size, then thought back to when he had returned to the hut with Vanessa's shoes in hand. He almost smiled to himself, praising his memory, and selected a pair of sandals that would be comfortable enough for the woman to walk in when she wasn't riding Ah-Un.

 

The shopkeeper carefully piled the purchases and neatly wrapped the bundle in rice paper before handing Sesshoumaru his purchase. Sesshoumaru gave the shopkeeper one last glance and said, “I take my leave,” before turning and striding out the door. He mentally smirked when he heard the shopkeeper take a shuddering breath and sag against the wall. Finally, someone who has shown this Sesshoumaru the proper level of fear.

 

Opting not to subject himself to unwanted questions and curious glances, Sesshoumaru went first to Ah-Un and secured the package next to Rin's blankets. Should the weather threaten to rain, he would have to return for it to be sure the silk was not ruined, but until then, it would be safe with the dragon. He was just rising to return to the old miko's hut when suddenly felt the connection with Vanessa break. His head snapped in the direction of the hut. What-? It had only been a short time, but he had already grown accustomed to her presence in his consciousness. Sesshoumaru hurried to the hut. What is this feeling? There was no commotion in the yard. Rin and the Kitsune lounged in a patch of wildflowers. The monk sat under a tree in meditation. Warily, Sesshoumaru pulled aside the door flap and silently entered the hut.

 

Vanessa lay in the shadows of the back corner of the hut, injured leg propped on a rolled-up blanket. Sesshoumaru glanced around the room - there was no one else there. He still could not shake the strange feeling. Silently, he padded over to the still form. As he knelt beside her, his keen ears detected the beat of her heart and he saw the even rise and fall of her chest; she was asleep. Then what-? Then he saw it. Her fist rested on her stomach and Sesshoumaru could see a bit of black ribbon clutched in her hand. She… only removed the band. But why? He glanced to the ribbon adorning his own wrist and a previously unnoticed tension seemed to release from his shoulders. Why did he react the way he did? What was that feeling? It couldn't be… worry?

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

An hour later Vanessa woke to the sounds of the evening meal being prepared. I feel like a lazy bum sleeping so much. It's not like I'm sick. She knew that sleep only helped her body heal itself, but it still didn't make her feel any more useless. Then she got the feeling that she was being watched and it made her skin crawl until finally she sat up and stretched. What's this? She had something in her hand. Confused, Vanessa released her grip and at the sight of the black ribbon, everything came back. Oh… She raised her eyes and was caught by an intense golden stare. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes almost imperceptibly. Something flashed in his eyes that Vanessa couldn't quite discern. She looked down at the ribbon in her hand and back at the taiyoukai. He raised an elegant brow at her. Can he do anything and not look dignified? She smiled sheepishly at him and replaced the band on her wrist.

 

The familiar touch of him re-entered her consciousness. Vanessa continued to watch Sesshoumaru as he closed his eyes, just for a moment, but then they snapped open again to fix her with a glare that sent a shiver up her spine. In one fluid motion, the taiyoukai rose and strode out of the hut. What was that?

 

Vanessa had felt the walls that Sesshoumaru tried to construct despite their connection through the charm. It was clear that there were some things he did not want to share, so she made nothing of it. Everyone was entitled to his or her privacy after all. The residual feelings she got from him, though, Vanessa knew were just the tip of the iceberg. Still, when she first felt the traces of his emotions she was overjoyed that Kagome's group was so wrong about him. His impassive really face was just a mask, but now he had even allowed something to flash visibly across his features, though no one would have noticed if they had not been paying close attention. She had to know what it was.

 

Gingerly, Vanessa flexed her foot and rotated her ankle, testing its tenderness; already her sprain was feeling better. She rewrapped the bandage just a little tighter, the rest of the group oblivious to her actions. When she was finished, she slowly rose to her feet, leaning against the wall slightly. Vanessa carefully tested her weight on the injured limb and decided that she could walk on it, at least for a short distance. Everyone in the hut was so busy with their own tasks that they hardly noticed the woman slowly making her way toward the door.

 

Once out in the cool evening air, Vanessa had little trouble locating the taiyoukai. He seemed to glow in the fading light as he sat at the base of a great tree. Sesshoumaru seemed distracted, staring at a point in the grass before him. At first he didn't even seem to notice Vanessa's presence as she carefully made her way across the yard, only wincing a little every other step. Then when she was halfway to him, his head snapped up and almost before she could blink, he was at her elbow, supporting her. He's so fast. “What are you doing out here?” he demanded.

“I…”

“Come. Sit.”

 

Sesshoumaru led Vanessa back to the tree he had been leaning against and helped her to sit. She looked over at him as he dropped gracefully beside her, “I'm really feeling much better. My ankle doesn't hurt nearly as much anymore.” Sesshoumaru gave her a sidelong look before returning his gaze to the forest.

“Why did you remove your band?” Whatever Vanessa was expecting him to say, it wasn't that.

“What? What do you mean?”

“This afternoon. This Sesshoumaru felt the connection break and knew not the cause.” He was worried? And… I'm human. Oh, I bet that doesn't sit well with him.

“Oh! I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. I didn't know how you felt about being so closely tied to my emotions and I didn't want anything that I might dream to overwhelm your senses,” at the look Sesshoumaru gave her, she quickly amended, “what I mean is, I guess if I happened to have a nightmare or something, I didn't want you to worry.” Vanessa glanced over at the demon lord, but he continued to stare straight ahead, face as impassive as ever, so she continued softly, “But I guess I worried you anyway, didn't I?”

He looked over at her then, his eyes hinting at a curious expression and Vanessa could almost feel the conflict within him.

“Just don't…” Sesshoumaru hesitated, something Vanessa had not yet witnessed in the demon lord's speech. He always seemed to know exactly what he would say, never wasting a word, but then his eyes steeled, returning once again to their normal coldness, “If this Sesshoumaru is to ensure your safety so that you may return to your home, there must be no such surprises.”

 

Vanessa's breath caught at the coldness in his tone. This guy could melt the heart of a volcano if he put his mind to it. But then he surprised her and spoke again, this time without the icy edge to his voice, “However,” he turned to her, his eyes still hard, yet not nearly as cold as they had been, “Perhaps it is wise to break the link while sleeping. One cannot control what dreams may plague the unconscious.” Sesshoumaru looked away before adding softly, “There are some arenas another has no business entering, no matter the connection.” His nostrils flared briefly and he turned to her, offering his hand, effectively cutting of that particular train of thought, “Come. Your meal is ready.”

 

Sesshoumaru pulled Vanessa to her feet and helped her back to the hut. As they approached the door, he stopped and turned to the woman, “If you ride Ah-Un, will you be able to leave by morning? I believe my brother is anxious for my departure. As am I.” Vanessa shifted her feet, testing her injury. It really was feeling better and she figured that it must not have been as bad as she originally thought, so she nodded.

“Yes. If I am not able to return home right away, then I'm eager to see more of this land of yours.” She smiled.

“Good. Then we leave at dawn.” Vanessa sighed mentally. Dawn? And I thought morning labs in college were bad. They proceeded into the hut just as Kagome reached the door to call everyone in.

 

The evening passed pleasantly and Vanessa decided that since she would have to be up so early, she would turn in early as well. She told Kagome that they would be leaving in the morning and the other woman assured her that she would up to see her off.

 

As Vanessa slid between her blankets, she carefully removed the ribbon band from her wrist and laid it on her pillow beside her head. Immediately she missed the contact that the band supplied and thought she was being selfish. Despite his walls and the conflicting feelings that she only felt traces of, Sesshoumaru's presence was comforting. It was something that was growing familiar to her, but of course he wouldn't want to feel her in his own mind every moment of the day. If he had so closed himself off to emotion for who knew how long, feeling even traces of hers must be very confusing to him, though she was certain that the demon lord would never admit to it. Still, she had so many questions to ask him. Part of her desperately wanted to go home, but the rest of her wanted to learn more. What other fantastic things would she see while she was here? Already, she had encountered creatures straight out of legend and had traveled to another time and place. Thoughts of wonder continued to fill Vanessa's head as her eyes slowly drooped and she drifted off to sleep.

 

 

A/N: and that concludes chapter 5! I really hope you're enjoying this. Please let me know what you think!

 

Thank you blackrosevampire15 and (belatedly, sorry) Lady Orange for your comments! Much appreciated!

 

Manga Girl: hehe, I know. I kind of wanted to throw Sesshoumaru for a loop, and I would imagine that Sesshoumaru letting Vanessa live would have had much the same effect on Inuyasha as a `sit' command. Poor Inuyasha. His whole world is being turned upside down just by this short visit from his brother, but that's all right this time. It's not his story, he can be a little confused - maybe Kagome will explain everything to him. And thanks for the email!