InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Loss of Self, Discovery of Truth ❯ Uneasy Feelings ( Chapter 3 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Loss of Self, Discovery of Truth
Chapter 3: Uneasy Feelings
The first thing that came to mind when consciousness began to return to the former demon lord was the annoyance of the sunrise. He cursed himself for taking a position facing the East.
The second thing Sesshoumaru noticed was that he was no longer leaning against the large, uncomfortable bark of the tree. In fact, he wasn't even vertical, but horizontal and his head was cushioned in the gentle softness of the human priestess' lap.
“Awake are you?” Kagome asked softly, when she felt Sesshoumaru stir in her lap. During the night his fever came back, the sound of his incoherent words caught her attention during her guard duty.
Abruptly, Sesshoumaru sat up and squeezed his eyes shut when he felt a slight nausea from the blood draining from his head too quickly. “Explain yourself,” Sesshoumaru demanded, casting the woman an accusing glare.
“Your fever came back late in the night,” Kagome explained. Sesshoumaru merely raised a skeptical light brown eyebrow. Kagome shrugged in response. “I am a priestess, sort-of. I offer comfort to those in distress. You certainly became less restless when you crawled into my lap.”
That earned a scoff from the former demon lord. “This Sesshoumaru sincerely doubts that he would have demeaned himself by crawling into your lap.” He rolled his stiff shoulders and stretched his neck to both sides, easing the cramps from his muscles.
“Whatever,” Kagome rolled her eyes at his ingratitude. She certainly didn't expect him to appreciate that she had comforted him during what appeared to be a nightmare nor did she need to tell him that the smile that crossed his lips in the last few minutes of his sleep sent her heart beating in overload. At least he was sweet in his slumber even if he was an arrogant prick once conscious. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she remembered the feel of him in her arms.
Golden brown eyes narrowed as Sesshoumaru zeroed in on Kagome's face. “Is there any food substance to break our fast?” He inquired, acutely aware of the gnawing hunger of his gut.
Miroku had watched the scene in silence through thin slits in his eyes as he feigned sleep. He stretched his arms wide now and opened his violet orbs, gaining the attention of his two companions. “If I can trust the two of you alone, I'll go and get some fruits off the nearby trees.”
Sesshoumaru rose to his feet. “This Sesshoumaru is no helpless child. I shall accompany you as on this search.” Memories of the disturbing dream of the previous night were unnerving him and he had no desire to be alone with the priestess more than required.
Miroku and Kagome exchanged bemused looks. “Fine by me, I wanted to take a bath anyway,” Kagome shrugged off Sesshoumaru's obvious desire to steer clear of her.
“Alright, we'll be off then. We should be back within the hour.” Miroku began to lead the way towards the heart of the thicket where he knew fruits grew as he had discovered while collecting kindling the night before.
Sesshoumaru stepped after the not-so-holy holy man with careful steps. He was grateful for his superior choice in clothing and shoes. His traveling boots were proving very useful in navigating the unsteady ground of the forest floor.
He focused his attentive gaze towards Miroku's sandaled feet. “Human,” he started. Miroku ignored him and continued on his trek. “Human,” Sesshoumaru demanded a second time, only to be met with the same result. A strong annoyance began to plague the new member to the human race. “Miroku,” he relented to call out.
Miroku glanced over his shoulder with wide innocent eyes and a friendly smile. “Yes Sesshoumaru? Did you want to ask me something?”
The golden brown eyes that stared back coldly would have made a lesser man shudder, but Miroku was only amused. “I was curious as to why you would wear such shoes. Surely they are not practical for such journeys as you undertake.”
Miroku looked down at the sandals that he considered to be lucky. Lucky in the fact that, unlike when he wore other kinds of traveling shoes that he almost always somehow ended up losing. He liked to let his feet breath in the humidity. Too often he had come across a weary traveler with poor hygiene habits and had something horrid growing on their feet from never letting them out of their closed shoes.
After considering such an answer and Sesshoumaru's response to the visual picture, he decided to alter it a bit. There was no need to worry someone like Sesshoumaru that if he didn't properly clean his feet then they would probably acquire gangrene or some such thing.
“Well?” Sesshoumaru prodded impatiently. He nearly cursed himself again. He was losing his famous sense of patience. Being human was not helping his self-image of complete indifferent superiority.
“I like wearing sandals. They are comfortable and I haven't had any problems with them.” Miroku answered simply. He didn't elaborate and continued on his walk towards the fruits that would serve as their breakfast food. He was a fan of Kagome's ramen noodles, but would have to admit that it would not help keep up the strength required for the activities they often engaged. Granted, there were more strenuous activities he'd rather engage in, but those would have to wait until after he lifted the curse on his palm.
Sesshoumaru studied the sandals keenly. They couldn't possibly be more comfortable than his custom made boots, but he was not about to ask to compare the shoes. Perhaps when the not so pious monk slept the following night he could examine the sandals more closely. It would do not good to try them himself for they were far too small, as the human was a good half foot shorter than him.
Miroku, as if sensing the trail the demon-lord's thoughts had taken, spoke, “You could look at them later if you are curious.”
“Keh,” Sesshoumaru scoffed softly, but loud enough for Miroku to catch and snicker silently about. The tall, fair-haired man raised his right hand to his left shoulder and grasped it, a similar gesture to crossing one's arms over one's chest. Casually he observed their surrounding environment.
His senses were dulled as a human, but he was still able to appreciate the beauty of the natural world. “My shirt will need to be cleansed,” Sesshoumaru remarked absently as he felt some of the dried blood under his palm. “It will attract unwanted visitors.”
“I'm sure Kagome won't mind cleaning it for you while I fix breakfast.” Miroku offered and was met with silence for the duration of their gathering of food.
In the silence, Sesshoumaru thought about his dream. He was his usual demon self within the dream, that was reassuring. He remembered being in his study at his ancestral home. He was reading over correspondence from a neighboring kingdom.
In his study, the sound of quick, soft footsteps had brought his head up and a genuine smile tugged upon his lips. A young child, a boy of maybe eight human years ran to him and threw his thin arms around Sesshoumaru's waist. He remembered returning the affection with a one-armed hug; the other hand still held his pen.
The fact that in his dream he had two arms was also comforting. However, when he looked closely at the boy, he started to feel the first dregs of consciousness returning. There was something odd about the boy who was obviously his son.
Instead of white hair, the child had a light brown, the same shade as the braid Sesshoumaru had examined upon his own head the night before. The child seemed to have no ounce of youkai in his blood. But there was a fierce magic none-the-less.
Perhaps the part of the dream that had brought him to consciousness was when he noticed the color of the child's eyes. They were not a bright gold as his own demon eyes were, nor were they the light golden brown they had become in his current human state.
The child's eyes were a familiar shade of sapphire blue.
oooooOOOOOoooooOOOOOooooo
Inuyasha hurried as quickly as his two feet could carry him. He didn't explain anything to Kaede but simply took Kirara and ran. Sango and Shippo were still standing with their mouths wide open when he vanished to return back to camp.
Kirara was currently resting upon his shoulder, content for the free ride. Idly, Inuyasha stroked her soft fur, helping to sooth his temper. He needed to be calm by the time he returned. He wouldn't let his stupid half-brother know how much he was envious of him, even when he was at a low point.
A snort eased out of Inuyasha's mouth at that thought. “Even when you are defeated you somehow make it so that you are the victor,” he muttered to himself in regards to his brother.
He could smell them before he could see them. Kagome's fresh, relaxing scent always struck him hard. Some of the tension that had haunted him since the day before began to recede at her comforting scent.
The unease returned when he noticed Sesshoumaru wearing his shirt, slightly damp, and playing some sort of game with Kagome and Miroku. Kagome had tried to teach him to play the same game, but he always told her it was a stupid game and he had better things to do.
Now watching her and Miroku sharing grins while trying not to laugh at an obviously deep in concentration Sesshoumaru he began to reconsider. When Miroku told his half-brother to `Go fish,' and Sesshoumaru angrily threw the cards down Miroku's bemusement left as he seemed to notice Inuyasha.
“Took you long enough,” Miroku commented dryly. Inuyasha stood beside Kagome before offering his hand to help her to her feet. Kagome was obviously surprised at the gesture, causing Inuyasha to grow angry as it was also obvious to Sesshoumaru.
“Damn it woman, take my hand.” Inuyasha spoke, ruining whatever gallantry his action might have invoked.
“No thanks, I'm fine sitting here.” Kagome replied, miffed at his cursing at her. There was some satisfaction in noticing that Sesshoumaru was no longer sore about losing at the children's card game she and Miroku had managed to get him to agree to play. Instead of showing the brief amount of emotions she and Miroku had witnessed, he was once again silent and aloof.
“Well you need to get up. We're leaving,” Inuyasha informed her, ignoring Miroku's sarcastic remark and Sesshoumaru's bored expression. “I left Sango and Shippo without explaining,” he elaborated, knowing that Kagome's loyalty to her friends outweighed all else.
“Oh,” Kagome relented as she took the offered hand to stand.
“So,” Miroku started, gaining everyone's attention. “I take it we're to return to the village now.”
Sesshoumaru cleared his throat. “Actually, I have duties as Lord of the Western Lands. I must make correspondence with my advisors so that they will be aware of my absence.”
“Well write them a letter,” Inuyasha answered absently as he began to throw things into Kagome's bag, restless to continue.
“I will write a letter, however, I must have it delivered by a reliable source.” Sesshoumaru explained.
Miroku began to open his mouth to speak, but Inuyasha beat him to the punch. “Sounds like you're problem, not mine.”
“Actually, it is more your problem than you might think. You are the only one who shall deliver this note.” Sesshoumaru explained. He had already written what he needed to say before he agreed to the ridiculous card game with the humans. He had utilized an odd sort of parchment that was at the priestess' disposal.
Inuyasha began to laugh uproariously. “You're joking, right?” He asked as he wiped the back of his hand across his eye, a tear leaked out from laughing so hard. He quickly sobered at the look on Sesshoumaru's face. “No way.”
“You are my father's son; no harm will come to you in the Western Lands, unless it is to come from this Sesshoumaru. Everyone is aware of this. You will be safe enough; I shall give you my seal to prove you come with my protection.”
“Keh, some protection,” Inuyasha muttered as he crossed his arms over his chest. “And I suppose you'll just travel back to the village with Kagome and Miroku without me.”
Before a fight could break out between the brothers Miroku intervened. “It's not a bad idea, in fact it makes a great deal of sense Inuyasha. Your brother…”
“Half-brother,” two voiced interrupted.
“Your brother,” Miroku repeated, “has a great deal of responsibility and now it falls upon you to do this.”
“But it will take me at least three days to get back from his castle back to the village,” Inuyasha argued.
“You better hurry then,” Kagome added quietly as she sat back down. Miroku offered an unmovable stare. Sesshoumaru merely observed, feeling smug that the wise human was on his side. He could really like the man, though he was perverted and wore sandals. Perhaps after the defeat of Naraku when the curse of the wind was no longer upon his palm he could serve as an advisor to his court.
“Fine, just…” Inuyasha fumbled at a loss for words as he felt overwhelmed with anxiety and worry, “be careful,” he finished. He looked at Kagome, and met her eyes. He knew she wouldn't rise to stand beside him at the moment, so he kneeled to sit in front of her. Inuyasha took both of her shoulders in his hands and brushed a quick kiss to her forehead. “Be careful,” he told her firmly, gazing into her stunned eyes.
He took the letter that Sesshoumaru held out for him, along with the royal seal. Inuyasha took off towards the West, feeling tense and anxious. The sooner things returned to normal, the better things would be.
oooooOOOOOoooooOOOOOooooo
Kouga skidded to an abrupt halt as a foul scent assaulted his nose. It was certainly the scent of one of Naraku's attachments; however a second much fainter scent clung to the area around the attachment that caught his attention.
Ginta and Hakkaku were still miles behind, so Kouga did not worry about them making noise as he crept closer to investigate. Silent as a ghost, Kouga moved near the attachment. Disgust was the first feeling that came to mind.
It was badly injured, and yet it contained trapped within it the essence that could only be described as Sesshoumaru. Another scent caught his attention. Kagura, the wind witch, was standing before the battered insect-like youkai.
Kouga was never one to rush into a battle, unless it was to gain Kagome's favor. He scrutinized the scene before him carefully. There were not many jewel shards left and most were in the possession of Naraku, though his precious Kagome did have many herself. And of course, he himself possessed two.
But, if dog-turd's brother was out of commission then there would be major trouble. Kouga was no fool and was very much aware that the only way they would be able to defeat Naraku and his attachments would be through an alliance like never before had existed.
It would take the strength of Kagome and her companions, including dog-turd, Kouga, and the Lord of the Western Lands to destroy the power-bent hanyou.
A change of the winds caused him to move further away from his spot watching the scene before him. He didn't need to have his scent carried towards Kagura. That red eyed demon would die by his hands to avenge his tribal brothers. However, he needed to wait for the opportune moment.
He caught enough of the conversation before Kagura took off with the insect-like demon upon a large feather to know he needed to track down Kagome and her companions. The insect couldn't have possibly killed Sesshoumaru, because Kouga could tell that the essence trapped within didn't match that of Sesshoumaru completely. It was incomplete.
Surely, he was injured somewhere.
If anyone had a knack for healing the injured it would be Kouga's woman.
With that thought in mind, Kouga took off like a Tasmanian devil in the direction he last saw Kagome and her companions.