InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Persistence ❯ Chapter 8 ( Chapter 8 )

I fixed the links in the beginning of Chapter 7 so that you can see what I meant with the clothing options. I was feeling particularly silly the night I “dressed” Sesshomaru. Just remove the spaces in the URLs and please add the additional / after the :

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the Inuyasha characters. I humbly praise Rumiko Takahashi.

 

This chapter is not written in conversation form until the end where it's sort of an “other perspective” conversation. It is mostly narrative and some other goofy perspective changing. So it's almost like an episode of LOST where you're not sure WHAT'S going on

 

Chapter 8

 

“He's quite different from what you remember, isn't he,” she said, a slight sadness in her voice. “The Sesshomaru you remember was a cold, distant, uptight demon who thought only of himself. When you left through the well, things changed.”

 

Shiori took a deep, cleansing breath to collect her thoughts and then began to tell the tale of the past.

 

Sango and Miroku were together as were Inuyasha and Kikyo when Kagome left. Kikyo was given life and a flesh body so that she was once again `living'.

 

Inuyasha and Kikyo lived together in Kaede's village. Eight years after Kagome left, Kaede passed away and the responsibilities of village priestess were passed on to Kikyo. They had three children together - two sons and one daughter. They told their children the tales of their adventures and of a woman named Kagome. The couple enjoyed their lives together but, unfortunately, Inuyasha was still half demon and he aged much more slowly than humans. After 40 years of marriage, Kikyo passed away of pneumonia. Inuyasha struggled to move on after her death. He holed up in their hut, not speaking to anyone, and sneaking away at night to visit her resting spot.

 

Sesshomaru initially did not react to Inuyasha's mourning of Kikyo. In fact, he felt annoyed. At least Inuyasha knew that Kikyo had passed away and was not in danger any more. Sesshomaru didn't know if Kagome was safe or even alive. However, he could not admit to anyone that he felt at a loss without her - no one would believe him. At that time he vowed that, when the time came, he would watch over her when she returned to her era.

 

Sesshomaru finally understood Inuyasha's lament when Rin died. Having been with Sesshomaru for so long, Rin was treated like his daughter and he loved her like she was his daughter. He was happy to watch her grow, fall in love, and marry a fine young man named Akiko Matsuda. His gift to the couple was allowing them to reside at his castle. Rin was ecstatic to stay and Akiko was extremely humbled by the demon lord's offer. Sesshomaru's subjects noted his increasing interest in humans but dared not compare him to his father.

 

Rin and Akiko were respected and treated as family, along with the 1 boy and 3 girls that the couple brought into the world. Rin's husband died several years later from the bite of a very poisonous snake and died in his bed after 12 hours of extremely high fever and convulsions. Rin stayed by his side throughout his last hours. Sesshomaru watched Rin's tender care of her husband, aware that the way she cared for him was a close mimic of how Kagome often cared for Inuyasha and her friends when they were injured. Rin was one of his few last reminders of Kagome.

 

Rin died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 88. A small shrine was constructed on the castle grounds and Sesshomaru placed new flowers on it daily. After Rin's death, Sesshomaru approached Inuyasha to make an agreement of losses. Sesshomaru explained that he understood now how Inuyasha suffered when Kikyo died and also how difficult it must have been as a young hanyou after his mother died. Sesshomaru explained to Inuyasha that he was strong by being able to remain living after losing his mother and also the woman that he loved with all of his being. He then asked Inuyasha to come to the castle and rule the western lands with him. Inuyasha accepted Sesshomaru's request and went to live in the eastern wing of the castle.

 

After several, several years, Inuyasha found a new mate who was also a half-demon. She was a beautiful, vivacious and tender woman named Nyuka who did not want to replace Kikyo's memory in his heart. Instead she wanted to build new memories while respecting the old. Inuyasha struggled at first, unsure if finding a new mate would discount all that he and Kikyo had built but Nyuka promised Inuyasha that she respected his and Kikyo's past and relationship. They move to America in the 1810s.

 

 

Sango clung to Miroku, finally able to openly show her love and affection to the monk without worry of the Wind Tunnel taking his life. Shippo stood with them, resolved to grow strong like Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sesshomaru. One would have expected that the couple would have several children but this was not the case. Sango and Miroku had three daughters and two sons. As his daughters grew older, Miroku realized how `lechers' were viewed by women and others and became very protective of his daughters. All of their children were strong, educated, and respected throughout the area of being the descendents of two from the group that killed Naraku.

 

 

Shippo was true to his promise. Over the several decades he grew stronger in his abilities. He joined Sesshomaru several times on his yearly surveying of the western lands. As he grew older and stronger, Shippo took on the responsibility of doing a semi-annual surveying of the western lands, acting as Sesshomaru's noble to solve disputes and issues among his subjects. It was through this that Shippo, once again, met Shiori. Shiori had grown to a beautiful and curious young half-demon, retaining her long, white hair and lavender irises. While traveling through a small village, Shippo saw her tending to a small shrine, planting beautiful flowers around it. Shippo stopped to pay his respects and the pair became reacquainted with one another. Before long Shiori was traveling with Shippo on his rounds and soon after they were mated. Shippo stayed in Sesshomaru's service and Shiori was happy to do so as well.

 

 

Several centuries passed until the time when Kagome would travel through the well the last few times. Sesshomaru, having studied the Higurashi shrine and kept tabs on its occupants, knew about the time the battle would be. Knowing that Inuyasha could also pass through the well, he sent Shiori to check on Kagome. It was unlikely that Inuyasha would remember her scent exactly. He badly wanted to go himself and see her - something he had not been able to do in several centuries - but the risk of being found out outweighed his selfish need. Twice a week, Shiori would quietly sneak over to the house and peer in her window. Sometimes Kagome was there but usually she was not.

 

 

On the day that she returned, Shiori had been at the shrine talking with Kagome's grandpa. She felt the well's surge of magic and, glancing at the well house, saw Kagome step out and heard her lamenting words that it was over. Shiori reported her findings to Sesshomaru later that afternoon at the shop. She watched his face for a reaction and saw none but his hands hesitated over the latest artwork he was working on. Over the next several months, Sesshomaru watched Kagome walk passed his shop while with her friends. He so badly wanted to step outside and wait for her to come by just to see the surprised (and possibly fearful) look on her face. Shiori knew that it wasn't a good idea so she frequently scheduled appointments at that time of day to keep Sesshomaru from sitting in the waiting area, staring out the window. She had grown to realize that Sesshomaru had strong feelings for Kagome but she kept that piece of information to herself.

 

“So watching Inuyasha mourn and having Rin die really affected him, huh?” Kagome asked.

 

“Yes, I guess you could say he softened up over the centuries,” Shiori sighed. “He's not as much of an ass as he used to be.”

 

“Who is not as much of an ass as he used to be?” a deep, satiny voice echoed through the room. Shiori didn't seem stunned by his appearance but Kagome gasped when she looked up and saw Sesshomaru standing in the doorway of the waiting room from the back hall.

 

Shiori yawned, “You, of course.” She glanced at Sesshomaru, stood up, and looked at her watch with feigned shock. “Oh my, look at the time! Shippo's expecting me home. It's our 200 year anniversary,” she said, winking at Kagome. Kagome laughed nervously in response, watching as Shiori gathered her things and headed toward the door.

 

Kagome was struck with nervousness, being left in a room alone with Sesshomaru after him catching Shiori with her last statement. She trained her eyes on the floor, waiting for the proverbial hammer to fall but she was met with the sound of him sitting down in the chair previously occupied by Shiori and a soft snort. Her eyes flicked to him and saw the half-smile he was wearing.

 

“She's right, though,” he said, “I'm not as much of an ass.” Kagome was stunned. This is going to be SO hard to get used to. She laughed nervously.

 

“No, of course not! You are quite… different,” she offered, forcing the cheerfulness into her voice.

 

“Kagome, would you like to see the castle of the Lord of the West?”

 

Kagome gaped at him open mouthed. “You mean it still exists?!” Sesshomaru chuckled softly, stood up, and reached out a hand to her. She hesitated a second and then took it, allowing him to pull her up from her chair. “Well, yes, that would be wonderful!”

 

“Alright. Allow me to close up and I will take you, if that's okay,” he said. She nodded dumbly as he shut off lights and locked doors. Shortly thereafter Kagome was walking out the back door with Sesshomaru. She looked around for a shiny black car because she assumed that he would be driving a fancy car or would even have a chauffer to drive him around. Sesshomaru sensed her hesitation when he approached a small, silver-blue VW Passat. He turned around and looked at her, quirking an eyebrow.

 

“What?”

 

“Oh, it's nothing. I just... I imagined that, being the lord of the western lands and all, you would have a shiny, expensive car or a limo picking you up and driving you everywhere,” she explained, blushing at her admittance.

 

Instead of scolding her like she had anticipated, he laughed. “If you would like a limo, I could arrange it.” She squinted her eyes at him, noting that he was laughing at her and not with her about something. “Kagome, get in the car,” he prompted still laughing. She did as he said, her face still flushed from his teasing.

 

 

88888 Sesshomaru's Perspective 88888

 

Over the next several months, Sesshomaru watched Kagome walk passed his shop while with her friends. He so badly wanted to step outside and wait for her to come by just to see the surprised (and possibly fearful) look on her face. Shiori knew that it wasn't a good idea so she frequently scheduled appointments at that time of day to keep Sesshomaru from sitting in the waiting area, staring out the window like a lovesick lump.

 

It was fortune that one day Kagome's friend wanted a spontaneous tattoo as they were walking by. Shiori was so absorbed in her game of solitaire on the computer that she did not immediately realize who it was. Usually she schedules appointments for the future but, since Kagome was here and Sesshomaru was simply putzing around in the back, it would not hurt for her to schedule a right-now appointment.

 

While Kagome and her friend looked at tattoo art books, Shiori went to the back and found a rigid and alert Sesshomaru standing by the cupboard.

 

“Misaki-san! Get off your lazy butt! You have a customer!”

 

“Why is she here?” he asked in a low voice, his grip firm on the counter ledge. If he had been a cat, his back would have been arched and hair standing on end. Shiori chuckled in her head at the amusing mental image.

 

“Her friend wants a tattoo,” Shiori stated coolly, prepping the table for him. Sesshomaru `Hnn'd' at Shiori and busied himself with sanitizing his equipment from the previous customer. When the friend came back, he could sense Kagome following. Sesshomaru, in a rare instance, panicked and ducked into the cupboard next to him.

“I was under the impression that I was doing only one tattoo,” he said. I need to stall. I don't want her first time seeing me again to be with a friend - I want all of her attention on me. I want a moment shared between just the two of us.

“You are but I wanted my friend with me when I got it,” the girl explained. Not yet, he thought.

“My shop, my rules. Your dirty friend need not be back here,” he said bluntly. That will rile her up for sure. As if on cue, he could sense Kagome's anger flare in the room. He smirked to himself in the cupboard.

“Sorry, Eri, but it is his shop,” she ground out between clenched teeth then stomped back toward the waiting area. Sesshomaru released the breath he didn't realize he was holding. He went about his work professionally, being courteous to the girl and making sure to answer all of her questions and encouraged her to tell her friends about the shop. Sesshomaru handed her a white business card and sent her to the front to talk to Shiori about care and payment.

As he cleaned up his equipment and ink, he heard Shiori talking with the girl, Eri. He counted in his head. 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… and suddenly Kagome was in the back area, looking around.

 

“I thought I asked you to not be back here, girl,” he said flatly. This angered Kagome further and he grinned at her reaction. He could feel her eyes looking him over as he gently and painstakingly slowly put items away. He could barely restrain himself from abruptly turning around to see her face-to-face.

 

“You were referring to tattoos, I suspected. I'm not here for a tattoo,” Kagome said with an irritated tone of voice, “but I am here to ask how you expect people to come here, to your shop, if you treat them like you treated me.” She stared daggers at him. Sesshomaru pulled his head out of the cupboard and straightened out. He stood to his full height with his back to her. If you only knew how I would treat you…

 

“You, girl, were not a customer but a loiterer. You are not paying for any services I offer and therefore had no need to be in my back room,” he said, brushing his hands on the thighs on his jeans. Since when do I get nervous and sweat, he thought. “Besides, you would have been a distraction.” Yes, indeed, she would have been a huge distraction. His eyes would have been glued to her and her friend would have gotten quite the Picasso of a tattoo.

 

He heard her growl and nearly collapsed to his knees. “Of all the - what nerve you have! My friend wanted my support and you refused to allow me to be with her because you're selfish and greedy!” She was becoming more and more angry and he was loving it. He decided to keep playing her though it would end soon. Sesshomaru scoffed. He turned slightly and looked at her through the corner of his eye. Her brows were creased together in a scowl and her fists were planted firmly on her hips.

 

“Still the fiery spirit, are you?” he blandly stated, turning fully to look at her. He savored the way realization washed over her face as she looked him up and down and her brain registered who he was. Though his hair was pulled back under the bandana and braided down his back, the facial markings of his heritage stood out boldly on his smooth, ivory skin. Golden eyes that, in the past, held death and final judgment now seemed calm and mischievous as they twinkled. He saw her gulp. “How... b-but,” she began, the words falling from her mouth.

 

Sesshomaru took a moment to bask with enjoyment at her staring at him, mouth nearly hanging open. He took the chance to allow his eyes to sweep over her, taking in her form. She had not changed much since he last saw her. Still wearing the indecent clothing I see, he thought as he evaluated her school uniform. Perhaps her hair was longer and she had fleshed out a small bit more, but she was still as young, naïve, and utterly beautiful as he remembered. She still seemed to spark with anger and resolve like he remembered.

 

“Sesshomaru,” she breathed. He nearly collapsed at the sound of his name being released from her lips. He had waited centuries to hear her say his name again and it was like the most beautiful, most melodious thing he had ever heard. Her friend interrupted his reverie and Kagome answered her, not taking her eyes off of him.

 

“What is the matter, girl? You were determined to give me a piece of your mind yet now it seems as if you are at a loss for words,” he gloated, sitting down on a rolling stool. He rested his forearms on his thighs as his hands hung limply between his knees. For a wisp of a moment he wished she would run to him and would wrap her arms around him, declaring how happy she was to see him again. Instead she stood there, looking shocked and dumbfounded.

 

“Still rude I see,” Kagome muttered after snapping out of her daze.

 

Their conversation continued onward, Sesshomaru feeling relieved and relaxed as he talked to her. He was surprised by her reaction to him having her watched. She didn't seem incredibly upset about it like he had anticipated. Instead, she almost seemed appreciative of his near protectiveness. Perhaps it won't be as hard as I anticipated to let her know how I feel. Going out on a limb, Sesshomaru asked Kagome to call him and go out for tea some time in the near future. He gave her his black personal contact card and scratched his private cell number on the back for her.

 

Several days passed before his phone rang and her sweet voice rang out when he answered. They agreed on a time and place to meet. Sesshomaru tried to fool himself that he was not nervous but he could not deny the facts. He had to block off his entire morning schedule that day just to prevent himself from doing bad work. Not that he ever could do bad work but his hands were not as steady as usual and the only thing he could concentrate on was seeing her again.

 

When he saw her walk into the tea house, he was glad that he had chosen a table out of the way that wouldn't be seen right away. She was wearing a lovely scarlet dress that covered just as much as her school uniform did, though he was not going to complain. He smiled inwardly at the suspicion that she had spent quite some time fussing over what to wear just to have tea with him. Throughout their meeting, Sesshomaru fought to keep his eyes to her face but slipped once when she crossed her arms. His eyes followed the slight curve of her neck down, past her collar to the deep V in the front of her dress that barely, just barely, showed a hint of cleavage as she crossed her arms. She caught him, though, and quickly uncrossed her arms.

 

He had anticipated her bringing up the past and asking a lot of questions but he had not anticipated the unbelievably strong drive he felt to pull her close to him and bury his face in her neck when she reached over and touched his hand in comfort. He did not want her to think he was crazy, overbearing, or forceful so he (politely as he could) dismissed himself, paid for both of their drinks, and thanked her for a wonderful afternoon. When he arrived at his apartment, he closed the door and leaned back against it, wishing this would all be much easier. He ached physically from the stress of holding back around her. He wasn't sure how much longer he would be able to take it.

 

Early the next morning Sesshomaru was at the Western castle to check on some of the preparations for the Summer Solstice Ball that was scheduled to take place within the next 3 weeks. Every year it seemed to be the same arrangements, the same people, the same decorations, etc. This year though, Shiori found a new planner. Sesshomaru was initially skeptical but, after seeing some of the woman's work, was quite pleased with the decision. The new ideas gave him even more drive to keep close contact with Kagome, hoping to have her attend this year's Solstice Ball. After all, Shippo and Inuyasha would be in attendance and he was sure Kagome would love to see them. He also anticipated asking Kagome if she would allow him to escort her.

 

After signing some documents and checking on menu planning items, Sesshomaru left the castle to go to the shop to fiddle around with some new design ideas. When he arrived, he heard Shiori talking to someone in the waiting area and noted whose scent was permeating the air. He quietly as he could slunk down the short hall toward the waiting area. There he saw Kagome listening while Shiori finished telling her the story of what happened after she left the feudal era. Sesshomaru noted Kagome's change in expression as Shiori recounted Rin's death, he and Inuyasha's mended relationship, Shippo's growth, and how he asked Shiori to watch over her to make sure she made it back to her own era safely. She must have asked Shiori why I'm not how she remembers me. Shiori was a smart woman and knew what Sesshomaru would have wanted Kagome to know about the past. He could tell from Shiori's change in body language that she knew he was there and listening. He didn't expect her to suddenly call him an ass, though.

 

It eventually ended up all for the better now that he was in his car, Kagome sitting next to him in the passenger seat while he drove them to the historic castle of the Lord of the West.

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I don't know HOW I hammered this one out so fast but perhaps it's because I didn't have internet access on one of my days off so I spent a lot of time writing. I've taken into consideration some peoples' ideas from reviews and will be playing around with some of the ones presented (thanks lindajrjt and Dominik Journot).

 

EDIT: Thank you forestsofazarath for pointing out some continuity problems. I've been writing this without a beta so it's always helpful when people point out “grad, hun, this doesn't make sense”. =]