InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Melting a heart of ice ❯ Chapter Five: The dream ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter Five: The dream

He was in his castle again. He was walking along the corridor, and he shivered at how dark and cold it was. He saw a door ahead of him, and he tried with all his being to stop, or to turn, anything but walking trough that door, because he already knew what he would see once he entered the room behind it. But it was impossible, it was as if some unseen and invisible power drew him to the room, and he could not stop.

It was as if he was just a spectator, stuck in the head of another person, forced to look but unable to do anything. It was as if he noticed things he never did before.

The servants who hurried past him were no annoying humans without a face, they were real persons, with feelings.

A young boy who looked as if the devil himself walked past him, the smell of fear emanating from him was browbeating. An older woman, bowing with respect, but also in fear.

And all the time, that door kept coming closer and closer.

Two guards were standing before it, one at each side. They wore a uniform with a white dog on it. They too got faces, which were set in something like the `I-am-a-dull-puppet' mode, without any emotion. Despite the fact that they were youkai, they were still unaware of what was waiting behind the door.

And he already knew it, but he still couldn't stop, he had to open that door, he had to… He extended his hand towards the door, and slowly it swung open.

The first thing he noticed was the strong smell of death.

He watched around the room, and a voice clung in his head while he did so. His eyes travelled to the paintings on the wall… "You found your father…" … to the desk standing against it…"He was beheaded, just like my father…" … his eyes went to the source of the smell, and he slowly walked towards the bed. As he looked at the body spread across it, HER voice sounded again… "And there was blood, blood everywhere…"

She had been right.

The body of his father was spread across the bed, lying in a puddle of dark blood. There was blood on the bed, on the walls, on the ground, everywhere…

His father's head was separated from his body, and lay to the side, a horrified but empty expression on it, eyes broken.

He trembled with anger and didn't even notice how the guards rushed past him, gasping and choking at the sight of the corpse.

A growl escaped his throat as he could ask himself only one thing: who did this? He wanted to kill them, to take revenge, so who did this?!

As if to answer, the scene disappeared and everything turned black. Then he heard sobbing, and turning, he saw it was Kagome, lying on the ground, illuminated by moonlight.

And again, he noticed things which he normally didn't see.

As she looked up at him, he saw various emotions in her eyes. Hurt, sorrow, grief but mainly sadness and honesty. Her small form shook from her crying, and he felt pity. She just looked so small, so vulnerable.

He walked towards her and bent down, wiping away her tears. She laid her face in his hand, resting against it and looking him in the eyes. As he drowned himself in her large expressive eyes again, he heard a faint whisper.

"We didn't…"

With a startled gasp, Sesshoumaru sat upright on his bed once he woke up. He glanced at the window to see it was still night and collapsed on his bed again.

That sure was a weird dream…

It had happened before, fifty years ago, when he found his father just like this. But it was still creepy, and so was the dream.

Where he normally would be satisfied when people where afraid of him, now it had felt like something bad. He had felt like some evil person when he saw the servants faces, and who knows, maybe he was. But it left him with the wish to get their trust, to see other faces than fearful ones…

And then Kagome… Somehow, he didn't saw a disgusting elf in her, but a young woman who was crying like mad, and all because of him. Had he really wiped away her tears, and touched her almost gently? It looked real and unreal at the same time.

He thought about how honest she had looked, and he almost believed her. Who wouldn't? She was just so kind, so pure, she even cried over the life of a single bird. How could someone like her get lost in a world like this, in a war-torn country, full of death?

"He was beheaded, just like my father…"

Yes, her father had been killed. He didn't witness it, as Naraku attacked the castle alone, but the bastard had come banging in his room later, throwing up about how he had cut the king's head off. Even though it was an elf, he was still disgusted about the way Naraku talked about it.

He thought about how he threaded Kagome earlier, and he almost regretted it. Kami, he knew the girl for what, half a day and she managed to get his world upside down. He stiffened as he heard the wind blew outside.

Surely she wouldn't be lying out there anymore?

Somehow, the thought of her lying there in the open made him worry, and before he could think twice about it, he stood and walked to the door, opening it. To his relief, the balcony was empty, but he continued to the other door, drawn to it, just like in his dream.

He slipped inside, and walked to the large bed, silently watching the girl that slept in it. Her hair was spread out around her face, and she had a peaceful look on her face.

Still her eyes were a bit red from crying, but he shook his head and stopped his hand that had begun to wander off in order to wipe away any lingering tears. This was crazy, this must be some dream too, or else he was walking around in his sleep.

He looked at her once again, and as quickly as he came, he turned and left.

*

Hours later, Kagome woke with a start. For awhile, she just lay quietly, still half asleep, that is, until she remembered what had happened the previous night.

She shot upright, and angrily glared at the wall, as if the youkai on the other side could see her. Why had he been so cold, and so rude? She had asked him, but he never really answered. At least not why he was so cold…

But she knew why he was so rude now… So he believed they killed his father, huh? But why did he think that? It could have been someone else too, for all they knew. She shuddered as she remembered what she had seen once he touched her.

His face had disappeared, and she immediately knew this was a vision again. She stood in the corner of a room, and watched how Sesshoumaru walked trough the door. She saw how he stiffened, and his cold mask disappeared as horror, disbelief and anger came on his face. She followed his gaze, and her jaw dropped.

On the bed on the other side of the room, lay a man, a youkai presumably, who showed remarkably similarities with Sesshoumaru, from the silver hair to the youkai markings.

But his head was cut off, and there was blood, blood everywhere… The last thing she remembered was how she screamed, and then suddenly she was leaning against Sesshoumaru, and he was shaking her by her shoulders.

He hadn't believed her though when she told him they had nothing to do with the murder.

She stood shakily and dressed herself. She stopped a moment to look at herself in the mirror, and fingered at the Jewel that hung around her neck. "I hate you…" she whispered against it, and then shook her head and walked towards the door.

On her way towards it, she saw her bow and arrows, and she quickly grabbed them. When she was angry, she would simply go outside and practice a bit with them, so that was what she was going to do now.

She walked down the stairs, but as she came in the corridor, she suddenly stopped. She wished she could talk to somebody about yesterday, but to who?

Suddenly, an idea popped up in her head. Kaede! Kaede was an old woman, a human, from around sixty, and Kagome knew her for years already. She was a sort second mother for her, and teached her a lot about healing herbs. She always went to talk to Kaede when her mother was busy, and she trusted the woman completely. Plus, she saw Sesshoumaru yesterday, so she would go and ask the woman what she thought about the taiyoukai.

Instead of turning right, she turned left, and stormed down the halls, to a small door and slipped into the gardens. She didn't have to search long, because Kaede was working in the garden, a view metres away from her.

Kaede waved at her, and she waved back, smiling. They greeted each other and babbled on, until Kaede suddenly stood and gazed at Kagome.

"Now child, I know something is bothering you, so speak up."

Kagome sighed and mulled a while over her words. "You know about Lord Sesshoumaru, don't you?"

"Yes, he is a prisoner."

"Yeah, well you saw him yesterday, he was the guy who was with me. I just wondered… what did you thought off him?"

Kaede cocked her head, and frowned. "He looked pretty cold to me. While we talked, I just ignored him, because he showed no emotion. But he was watching you all the time…"

Kagome blushed. "Really? But the problem is, he looks always so impassive. Well, I only know him since yesterday, but he never showed any emotion except once or twice when he got furious."

"Is it only that what bothers you? I can tell there is something more…"

"Yesterday, he…" Kagome started and then shut her mouth again.

Kaede looked knowingly at her. "I won't tell anyone, I promise."

Kagome smiled at her. "That's nice of you! If Kikyou found out… but where was I? Oh well, yesterday, I couldn't sleep and I went to stand at the balcony, you know I always do that. He was there too, and we got some argument, and then he said we elves killed his father. I told him that wasn't true, and then he grabbed my chin and said I lied, but as he touched me, I got this vision of when he found his father dead. It was… let's say, you can be glad you didn't have to see it. And I told him what I saw, and then he said only he, his brother and some other people knew how his father died, so we had to be involved in it, and he flung me aside, on the floor and left…"

"Sounds like it touched him quit a lot… he probably doesn't want to talk about it."

"But he didn't have to act like a total jerk because of that!" Kagome yelled. "My back still hurts you know."

Kaede sighed. "I guess you want to help him?" Kagome nodded. "Then just tell the truth, and someday he will see you don't lie. But don't press it, or he'll just get angry again. But why should you even bother, he is a prisoner, he will leave soon enough…"

"I don't care. I think there is something why he is so cold…"

"Maybe something from his past… Just follow your instinct child, Kami knows you have a sixth sense for how to cheer people up and help them. I'm sure you'll get to him"

Kagome laughed and hugged the old woman. "Thanks Kaede!" Than she stormed off with her bow and arrows. "And don't forget, not a word to Kikyou or mother!"

She saw Kaede nodding and turned the corner, only to bump right into Sango. "Kagome, I was just searching for you! We want to eat our lunch in the garden, do you want to come?"

Kagome waved at Miroku, who came walking up carrying all sorts of food. "Sure Sango! Don't you think we should help Miroku a bit?"

Sango gritted her teeth. "No, this is his punishment for groping me earlier. Now I heard this wonderful story of some servant, about how you cursed him. Can't you teach me that one? I wished I could have seen it…"

They walked away, happily chatting, followed by a panting Miroku who was almost buried with the food.

*

Miles away, a silver haired boy dressed in red clothes was pacing back and forth, watched by a nervous Jaken.

"Inuyasha-sama, I am sure Sesshoumaru-sama is just fine, he'll just…"

"He'll what?! There is something wrong, I can tell you that. Did nobody see what happened?! Damn it, he can't go missing like that, that's not like him!"

The toad shifted nervously. "There was a soldier who said he was captured by elves, but I already punished him for coming up with such a stupid tale. Imagine that, the great Lord Sesshoumaru captured by that scum! That's simply impossible, isn't it?"

Jaken squealed as Inuyasha grabbed his staff and whacked him over the head with it. "You stupid toad! I don't get it why Sesshoumaru keeps you around! Did it never occur to you that maybe, just maybe that story was true?"

"B-but, it's impossible…"

"I know it is! But where else could he be? That Kikyou bitch has surprised us before, who knows what she did now? You are not going to tell me he is staying over at Naraku's to drink tea with that guy, he can't stand that bastard, just like I do! What are you waiting for, get me that soldier!"

A second later, Jaken was kicked out of the room by an angry Inuyasha who slammed the door shut behind him. The toad huffed, and wondered why the world had gone crazy. Sesshoumaru captured by elves…

Impossible.

*

Kagome leaned back with a sigh, patting her stomach and laughing a bit as Sango whacked Miroku over the head. "Shall I curse him for you Sango?"

The girls both laughed at Miroku's horrified expression. "Ladies, ladies, please, have pity on me," the monk stammered, thinking about the last time he was cursed and couldn't move for hours.

Sango grinned and then looked at Kagome. "And, how is our prisoner?"

Kagome swallowed and put on a fake smile. "He's ok. He is a bit short tempered, but further, he's ok."

Miroku grinned at her. "Tell me, is it wise to put you in the same tower with such a man? I mean, Sango, you saw him; he looked a bit too pretty to me."

Sango raised her brow at him. "I thought you were straight?"

Miroku quickly grasped her hands and smiled brightly. "Of course, I would never leave you, my dear Sango!"

Kagome laughed as Sango blushed a deep red. "You two are really funny, you know! But seriously, Sesshoumaru is as cold as one can be, and his majesty simply loads elves and humans."

"Really? Same counts for him. I can't stand youkai," Sango huffed. "I don't get how you can live up there with that guy so close. I saw him on the battlefield, and he's an excellent fighter, really powerful. He doesn't need his swords to hurt you…"

"Let's just talk about something else, shall we?" Kagome asked quickly, not wanting to think back at last night.

"Ok, ok," Miroku interrupted. "Let me tell you this joke I heard somewhere. Actually, I heard it from that servant girl in the kitchen, lovely girl if you ask me, really pretty, with those blue eyes and…"

"Miroku!!!"

*

Sesshoumaru in the mean time had gotten up too, and after fastening his swords, he had set off to explore the castle a bit. He had only been half way trough it, as he spotted a small door that lead to the gardens.

He opened it, and walked outside, blinking against the sun. He followed the path that lead deeper into the gardens, and he watched amazed at how beautiful it was here. There were a few ponds, and flowers everywhere.

He catched the scent of Sakura blossom and jasmine, and he followed it. It was not until he saw her that he realised he was following her scent, without him noticing.

She was sitting together with another woman and a monk. The other girl wore a kimono, but he recognised her, he had seen her on the battlefield often, and as Kagome called her by her name, he noticed she was that `Sango' girl who Kikyou talked to.

He remained standing to the side and listened to their talking and laughing. He still couldn't get it how easily Kagome acted around other people, especially these two, who where both human and lower servant (or something like that).

He raised his brow as the monk started talking about some girl, then the Sango girl yelled his name, and he chuckled as the girl whacked him over the head. As he heard clear laughter, he turned his head to see it was Kagome. She was laughing her head off, and he was not unaffected by it.

Suddenly, her laughter died away as she brought a hand up to her back and she looked a bit pained. The other two looked worried at her and the Sango girl cried what was wrong with her. He stiffened as he heard her words.

"Nothing, my back just hurts."

The other girl narrowed her eyes. "Does this by any chance have something to do with that prisoner? You said he was short tempered…"

Kagome grinned sheepishly at the others. "No, I… I just tripped and fell backwards, nothing to worry about."

The monk put on a fake smile and got a dreamy expression. "Oh but my Lady, I know the perfect medicine for that, let me help you…"

BAM

The other girl had whacked him over the head again. Annoying habits those humans had. "Dream further you pervert. Are you sure it's nothing Kagome?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Then we are going now. Miroku?!"

"Yes, yes, I'm coming!"

They hurried off, carrying what was left of their lunch and let Kagome alone, who remained sitting on the ground, staring at nothing in particular. Little did she know that a certain taiyoukai was staring at her with a bit of guilt now.

So her back hurt… and not because she tripped, but because he had thrown her at the floor. He didn't know why he felt guilty now, maybe it was because of that weird dream, he didn't know. But the way she was sitting there, it was just like that dream, she was just as vulnerable and somehow, he was drawn to her again.

He walked towards her, and he expected her to be afraid after what happened last night, and she gasped when she saw him, but then she smiled again and he frowned. She still smiled at him? Foolish girl.

"Do you want to sit down?" she patted at the ground, and without thinking, he sat down with grace.

A silence fell as he kept studying her, and she smiled at him again, although it was a bit nervous now. "Why do you always smile, no matter what?"

She frowned at him and then shrugged. "Why not? There's enough sorrow already, I'm just trying to be optimistic."

Silence again. "You are not sentimental."

"Eh…"

"I take my words back. You're not sentimental, it's just your nature." Why was he even saying this? It seemed to please her though.

"Oh well, thanks…," she muttered.

"But you are still naive, stubborn and a tad bit stupid."

Her head shot up and she glared at him. "I am NOT stupid. And you are just as stubborn as I am, and cold, and arrogant and…"

He didn't listen as he met her gaze again, and he was surprised as he saw the fire in her eyes. His old curiosity about this mysterious girl appeared again, and it was as if he was in the dream all over again.

His hand shot out to her. She blinked, but didn't back away when he grasped her chin and looked intently at her.

"Tell me again your people didn't kill my father," he demanded. He needed to see her eyes for real to see if she told the truth, not some stupid dream.

Her lips quivered and her eyes became teary again. "We didn't… we didn't kill your father."

He waited a bit, but there was no sign of a lie to find. She looked all honest, and he sighed. "I believe you." Her eyes widened, but before she could say anything, he continued. "But that doesn't explain how you knew he was beheaded…"

She closed her eyes and she did cry now. "It was a vision. When you touched me, I saw it… it was horrible," she shivered.

"But you don't see anything now? I mean, can't you somehow see who did kill him?"

"No, I have no control over it. It just happens. But I promise, if I see anything, I will tell you."

"Why? You're practically helping an enemy…"

"Because I don't care. I want to help everyone, elf, human, youkai. But will you… will you stop fighting us now you know we have nothing to do with your fathers dead?"

"I said I believe YOU. Who says it wasn't your sister, or your father? Maybe you don't know about it, because they didn't tell you…"

Her eyes narrowed and she grasped his hand that still held her chin. "That's IMPOSSIBLE! They would never do such a thing, never! It's against our laws!"

He snorted. "We'll see... I am not convinced."

Suddenly, her face saddened and her grip on his hand loosened. "Yes, why am I even trying to convince you? It doesn't matter, because you will still come after us. This stupid war will never end!"

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Think you baka! The Shikon no Tama, you're after it, just like everybody else. As long as it exists, there will be war about it!"

Still frowning, he thought about her words. The Shikon no Tama… it was a dangerous object. But he wasn't after it.

She stiffened as his hand left her chin and travelled down, over her throat, her collarbone, until it rested at the place where the Jewel hung on a chain on her neck.

He took it and looked at it a moment, but then released it as it turned a bit black. As soon as it touched Kagome's skin, it immediately turned light again.

"I do not desire the Jewel," he stated at a wide eyed Kagome. "I never did."

"I hate it," she whispered, a tear falling from her eyes. "Because I am the youngest daughter, I have to guard it, but I would rather destroy it. It has cost so much damage… all those fights about it. But why don't you want it? It would give you so much power…"

"I do not need any more power. I am powerful enough. Naraku however…," he looked warily at her. "Naraku will never stop trying to take it. He wants more power, I have no doubt that once he would get it, he would try to take over my lands and the Eastern Lands, and kill all human and elves, or hold them as slaves. I fight against you, but only out of revenge, and of course because I can't stand elves." He ignored the angry look she gave him. "But I don't want him to get the Jewel."

She sighed. "That's at least one point in which we can agree." Suddenly a bit of hatred shone in her eyes, and he frowned at it, it seemed so unnatural for Kagome to hate. "That Naraku killed my father, and I don't really want revenge, well I did once, but now I just want to forget it all and make sure the Jewel is guarded well enough."

"Do that," he said, standing up and intending to walk further. He stopped as he felt how a small hand tugged at his sleeve.

"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome looked at him with a faint smile again. "Shall I show you around the castle?"

He hesitated, but than nodded. As her face lit up, he felt a bit better. But he hoped he would never dream again. That dream last night had been enough to make him act all different, and he found it a bit creepy.

But he shrugged it aside, what did it matter if he would explore the castle on his own or if she would accompany him? As he followed her and absently listened to her talking, and watched her walking, so alive, he realised she was not that bad company after all.

He would just blame it on the dream for now.

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Aitu: Wow, thanks for the compliments! Really, I'm flattered… All I can say is that my grammar is not that brilliant, but I'm always fast with picking up the words. I'm a real language freak; I learn six languages at school: Dutch, German, English, French, Greek and Latin. So yeah, eh… I know, I'm crazy. But anyway, I'm glad you like it!

Qtkitty2000 & Tsukiyo_Kitsune_tears: Thanks for reviewing!