InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Remnants of the Spider ❯ Reunited ( Chapter 32 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Remnants of the Spider
Reunited __________________________________________________________________ ______
Large chestnut eyes stared, completely fixed on the deceptively innocent offering. Her brows drawn together in thought, Kagome considered the weight of what was being asked of her. There would be extensive traveling, and Kami only knows what could, and probably would go wrong between now and the completion of the journey. And what about her village, who would watch over it while she was gone? On the other hand, what if she didn’t help? Whatever was going on probably was directly connected to her! It seemed entirely likely that someone was after her, and intended to use this dragon to exact revenge. Could she really ignore something like that? Innocent people stood to loose there lives in the crossfire.
Her frown deepened, and the miko continued to stare, almost transfixed, on the clawed hand and the scrolls held so benignly within.
Inside the small hut time seemed to grind to a halt. It was so quiet; the muted sound of calling birds doing nothing to break the almost unnatural stillness. Even the light breeze that flowed through an adjacent window to stir the miko’s hair and clothing went completely unnoticed as both demons stared at her in silence, waiting for her decision.
It was impossible to know how many moments had passed before the miko’s lips finally parted. “I don’t…” she began haltingly, uncertainly, “I don’t know if I can…”
Daisuke raised a clawed hand to cut her off. “Forgive me Kagome-sama.” he said sincerely. “I do not wish to pressure you, but again this matter is of immense importance and very possibly great peril as well. There are very few mikos who possess the power to see the keys and hopefully prevent disaster before it can occur. But, I also understand that you have your own obligations. If it is convenient for you, I will simply leave the maps in your care for now. I will leave you to think things over and will return around this time tomorrow. Hopefully, you will have decided by then.”
The miko was silent.
There was something about this whole situation that did not seem quite right to Kagome. ‘Find the keys, take them to the temple, and destroy them.’ she mentally went over a simplified summary of the mission. It sounded just a little too easy, a little too straight forward, and Kagome knew from experience that things were rarely as simple as that. Something at the very back of her mind was silently screaming that imminent danger loomed ahead, though she could not tell if it would come from accepting the mission or declining it.
The miko remained hesitant, Daisuke could see in her eyes. It was as if she truly wanted to help, but there was something holding her back, a previous obligation perhaps.
Finally, very slowly, a small feminine hand lifted from the young woman’s lap. Delicate fingers began to uncurl from what had previously been a tightly clenched fist. Her movements were hesitant, unsure, but remained fairly smooth.
As if moving through deep water, the miko’s hand reached across the space between them. The fox youkai could see something in her eyes, which oddly enough, looked like a combination of uncertainty, and determination. He watched with interest as her fingers tentatively stretched out, just barely touching the slightly worn paper. Soon, her hand wrapped around the parchment securely. She held it up and looked at it as if it was completely alien to her, as if both her demise and her salvation were layered between the thin pages of rice paper. After the space of several heartbeats, she ended her inspection and slowly drew the parchment to her chest. Her eyes were glassy, unfocussed, and she appeared to be looking at something only she could see. The wind ruffled her hair again, but she paid it no mind, clearly still lost in thoughts.
Then, she blinked, gave herself a little shake, and time began again.
“I’ll think about it.” she said at last.
“I cannot thank you enough for your consideration.” the fox said softly as he slowly unfolded his legs. In another moment he had risen to his feet, Kagome gradually doing the same.
She looked at him as if concerned. “I can’t make you any promises.” she said carefully.
The fox looked down at her, though his height was not much more than her own. She could see understanding in his eyes as he gave a small nod.
“I understand that you were aided by several comrades when you defeated the hanyou Naraku?” he asked after a moment.
Kagome simply nodded in response. “I imagine that you trust them, and as you seem to be a good judge of character, I will extend my trust as well. Please take this time to speak with your friends regarding this matter.” his voice lowered, and a kindly smile found his lips. “I know that you will do what is best, and while I would be eternally grateful for your assistance, I will not fault you if you refuse.”
Giving her no chance to respond, the old fox bowed graciously, first to her, then to Sesshoumaru.
“Lord of the West,” he addressed his voice strong and sure, “It was an honor to share your company.” he said with another quick bow. As expected, the inu lord did not respond, and with that, Daisuke turned and exited the hut.
Kagome watched him leave, and continued to stare at the door for some time after his departure.
“What will you do?”
The deep voice from behind her caused Kagome to start. She quickly turned around to face the one who spoke. Golden eyes stared down on her, and she could see genuine curiosity, and something she could not identify shining in the entrancing depths.
“I think…” she began slowly, “I think, I’ll follow his advice. I’ll talk it over with Inuyasha and the others. If nothing else, I think they should know what’s going on.”
“Hn.” The demon breathed neither in agreement nor disagreement.
They each retreated to their own thoughts for several moments before Sesshoumaru spoke again.
“You wanted to speak with me.”
Kagome looked confused. “What?”
“Before the arrival of the kitsune…”
“Oh,” she said quietly, and the inu lord noticed how her already pale face lost another shade of color.
“I don’t… I don’t think now is a good time to talk about that.” she said, her eyes straying from his face.
“Why?” The demon wanted to know, a thread of impatience weaving into his tone.
For a long time Kagome did not answer. Instead, her eyes shifted to Rin, and she quietly worried her lower lip between her teeth.
The demon lord felt his patience begin to wane, and was just about to share this information with the miko when the straw door was pushed aside and a young kitsune bustled in to the room.

“Rin, Kagome!” Shippou beamed his exuberant voice at odds with the tension in the room. “Great news!!” he continued obliviously. He swiveled around and pushed out his backside, in what normally would have been considered a lewd and possibly insulting gesture. Kagome looked on in mild embarrassment and curiosity, until her eyes widened at what he apparently wanted her to see. There, next to his tail, was another small tuft of fluffy beige hair.
“Do you see it??!!” he asked, excited impatience causing him to shake a little.
“Yeah, but what…?

“It’s my second tail!!!” he all but exploded, leaping and turning to face her.
Kagome forced a smile. She was truly regretful that she could not be more excited for him at the moment, but the young miko had more than a lot on her mind.
“That’s great Shippou!” she returned with as much enthusiasm as she could muster.
The young fox was not convinced and for the first time since he’d arrived, he noticed the uneasy atmosphere in the room. He looked between the miko and daiyoukai, his brows drawing together in concern.
“What’s wrong?” he asked cautiously.
At the far end of the room, Rin began to stir. __________________________________________________________________ ______
Golden eyes stared ahead blankly, the forms of a young kitsune and human female hardly blurs to him as the demon lord stared in their general direction. Listening with half an ear, Sesshoumaru could detect the voices of Rin and Shippou. The youngsters were several yards away. Side by side, they sat together, their bare feet quietly splashing in a cool stream. They were quietly speculating the possibilities of what Daisuke had said.
A small glade near the outskirts of the village was a favorite playing ground for Rin and the kit. Having nothing of particular importance to do for now, Sesshoumaru had joined them there. Beneath a sizable oak tree at the edge of the clearing, the daiyoukai had seated himself in the cool grass. Ah-Un had accompanied them as well. The large dragon rested, leisurely, but alert at the demon lord’s side.
Kagome’s scent still clung heavily to the dark hairs of the dragon’s mane.
Seeking a distraction Sesshoumaru looked up, noting the position of the sun. Noon was fast approaching, and to add to his growing list of maladies, Sesshoumaru realized that his pathetic hanyou sibling would be arriving at any moment. He resisted the urge to scowl in distaste.
It was in the whelp’s best interest not to agitate him today, as the inu lord was not in the mood for his sibling’s usual disrespectful attitude.
Thinking very carefully, he realized that at least one of the sources of his current displeasure was the fact that that demon, ‘Daisuke’ his memory supplied, had come to Kagome asking for aid on what would probably turn out to be a dangerous mission. He had detected no malice from the fox, but it seemed at the least a very taxing thing to request from a human female. He realized that Kagome was a miko, and that she possessed immense spiritual power, but even she would have physical limitations common to that of any mortal.
Another thing that bothered him was the FACT that it bothered him. Was it not her own business what endeavors she did or did not decide to undertake? That should be the case, he realized logically, but mortal danger seemed to follow her like a shadow, never really catching up, yet never trailing far behind. It seemed entirely likely that she would be harmed or worse if she decided to embark on such a quest. Though he still was not entirely comfortable with the notion, he had come to terms with the fact that he preferred her to remain alive and safe. If Naraku had truly left a demon behind to avenge his death however, it seemed that danger would visit her whether she accepted the mission or not. One scenario was just as bad as the other, so really it was probably better to make the first move and attempt to keep the danger to a minimum.
A voice at the back of his mind whispered, rather insistently, that whatever the miko decided, there was only one way to ensure her safety. Tsunjin was a reliable sentry, but the danger to her life seemed more real now. He could not escape the faint discomfort he was beginning to feel at the idea of entrusting her safety to another male.
The whole matter was disturbing on many levels, but there seemed to be nothing for it.
Abrupt movement caught his attention, and moving nothing but his eyes, Sesshoumaru looked straight ahead.
Rin was now standing on the bank of the relatively narrow, but swiftly flowing stream. She was speaking to the kitsune and pointing out a peach tree on the other side. Before the kit could stand, she hopped to a small protruding rock a couple of feet from the shore. Sesshoumaru watched with interest as she managed to steady herself. She soon began to look for another rock large enough to support her, clearly intent on getting to the other side.
Spotting another large, reasonably flat stone, the girl bent at the knees, and pushed herself from her previous perch. Unfortunately, she had misjudged the distance, and with a small shriek, began to plummet to the cool water below. Sesshoumaru felt his muscles tense in preparation for movement he would not need to make. Before he could get his feet beneath him, the young kitsune sprang into action. Not even the hem of Rin’s kimono touched the water’s surface before the boy had her securely in his arms.
In a single leap, Shippou had crossed the stream, collecting Rin along the way. Smiling with relief, he looked down on her. Her eye were shut tightly, and her teeth clenched in anticipation for the chilled water she thought would envelope her. When she felt the light impact of the Shippou’s landing, Rin opened her eyes to see him staring down at her.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he kneeled to allow her feet to reach the ground.
The girl’s cheeks flooded with color as the kitsune helped to steady her. “Yes,” she answered a bit breathlessly. She smiled and shyly took a step back. “Thank you for catching me.” she said as she fought the urge to wring her hand.
A light blush found his cheeks as well, and the kit looked away and began rubbing the back of his neck. “It was nothing,” he said through a toothy grin. “That’s what friends are for.” He felt his face heat further.
Not wanting her to see him blush, the kit looked everywhere but at Rin. Quite by accident, his emerald eyes landed on the silver-haired inu lord seated casually beneath a tree on the other side of the stream. He had almost forgotten Sesshoumaru was there. Suddenly his gleeful mood was shattered, the site of those narrow golden eyes fixed squarely on him causing the butterflies in his stomach to be replaced by moths. No, not moths, he decided as the mutual staring continued, bees!! Bees with big, big stingers!!
To his surprise however, the inu lord did not appear to be angry at all, and Shippou’s anxiety slowly began to dissipate. He had expected Sesshoumaru to be displeased with him for doing something so bold, but scowl he had expected was entirely absent. In fact, if he was not mistaken, he could almost swear that Sesshoumaru had nodded in approval. He was just about to consider the validity of his assessment when…
“Race ya!!”
Rin’s buoyant challenge drew his attention, and he instantly turned to look at her. There was a huge smile on her face, and she swiftly pivoted on her heels and began to run to the peach tree.
“Hey that’s cheating!” he protested playfully.
Forgetting his previous train of thought, the kit was completely oblivious to the watchful eyes that continued to observe as he turned and followed the trail of laugher Rin had left in her wake.
The interaction between the kit and his ward was a strange and interesting thing to watch. It was rare to see humans and youkai interact the way they did; but as he thought about it, it should not have been surprising in the least. From what he knew, the kit had been orphaned when he was quite young. How he came to travel the priestess and her comrades was a mystery to him, but on more a few occasions he had seen the boy clinging to Kagome as if she were his mother. Apparently they were still close, but he seemed to have outgrown that particular habit. What was also obvious was that the miko had cared for him in his youth, so it was little wonder why the kitsune would take kindly to humans. It was the same thing with Rin. Aside from Kagome, the girl seemed to trust youkai more than humans. He supposed he could not blame her. In her village she had seen her family murdered by bandits, and was herself abused by the villagers who claimed to have taken her in. In him she found protection and security. He had never doted on the girl, but aside from a few close calls with Naraku, he did manage to keep her safe.
Now it seemed that this young kitsune wished to protect her as well.
‘They will likely begin courting soon.’ the demon realized distantly. The thought sent a strange sensation through him, one that was neither pleasant nor unpleasant. It was difficult to describe, and impossible to identify.
Sesshoumaru continued to watch them for some time. He breathed in the relatively fresh scent of the forest and allowed the peaceful sounds around him to calm his restless mind. Slowly closing his eyes, he focused on the lulling sound of running water as the exuberant chitter-chatter of blossoming young love faded beneath his drifting thoughts.
‘That’s what friends are for!’ the kit’s unbidden words suddenly echoed through his mind.
His eyes opened lazily.
‘Friends…’ Sesshoumaru mentally repeated the word. It immediately brought back to mind the only person with whom he found himself entangled in the strange connection called friendship.
Kagome was avoiding him today.
The miko had used the distraction provided by the kitsune to her advantage this morning. Scampering away from him, she requested that the boy travel to the nearby villages to summon her friends. Once he had gone to do her bidding, she began to bustle around her little hut, tidying up, and preparing breakfast. Then, neglecting to feed herself, she hastily excused herself saying she had “miko stuff” to do and that she would return soon.
She had mentioned a need to speak with him, yet she refused to do so. Clearly there was something troubling her, something which was completely unrelated to this quest she had been asked to undertake. It took no mental leap to realize that this something had to do with him.
It had taken a wealth of personal restraint on his part to allow her to leave. She was keeping something from him, and he did not like it. The desire to force it from her lips, even now tingled beneath his skin causing his muscles to twitch with restrained movement. He, Sesshoumaru, was unaccustomed to being denied, and had she been anyone else, he was certain that she would not have left him with unanswered questions. He would never have allowed it.
When she fled the little hut, he had almost, almost gone after her. He had resisted the impulse, opting to instead clench his teeth and force his feet to remain planted. It was rather strange finding himself torn between the natural impulse to force her cooperation, and the odd unwillingness to upset her. She had enough to deal with as it was and forcing her into a conversation she was not ready to have would be counterproductive. It could possibly even damage their friendship. It was a very fragile thing after all; a thin, intangible chord which connected them in the most unusual way. He could sense strength in it, but he also realized that it could be rescinded with a single thoughtless action, or even a few angry words.
Her sudden reticence was a concern as well. Her behavior toward him seemed to suggest that the connection between them had become particularly fragile, or perhaps she had already retracted her portion of their friendship and was reluctant to inform him. He frowned slightly at the thought. Could she really do that? Would she?
Again and again he found himself questioning why he had allowed himself to befriend the miko. ‘Actually,’ he amended mentally; ‘it was she who initiated this wretched friendship.’ Still, he had allowed it, and eventually even reciprocated. What had he been thinking? There were far worse individuals with whom to engage such a bond, but the bond itself was so terribly unfamiliar, and exasperatingly vexing to him.
Perhaps he was doing it wrong?
He had never cultivated this kind of relationship before, so there was really no way to tell. There was no experience in his life that he could even compare it to, and this recent shift in the miko’s behavior was markedly more disconcerting than he thought it should be. If he were honest, it teetered very precariously toward the untried state of alarming. Was this normal behavior? Had he done something to invoke it? He was no longer certain where he stood with her, a fact which was more disturbing than he cared to admit.
The simple solution was to simply sever the bond himself, then he would not have to concern himself with the miko‘s behavior. He had considered it many times, but now it hardly seemed like a valid option. If he was doing something wrong, a notion which was disturbing in and of itself, he would simply have to uncover and correct his folly. This experience was entirely new for him, but he would not be accused of inadequacy!
‘When something is difficult, you do not walk away from it, you use it as an opportunity to build your own strength.’
That is what his father had always told him, and while the statement was initially used in reference to a physical challenge, he did not see why it wouldn’t apply to this friendship as well.
The miko needed time, Sesshoumaru finally decided. It was useless to speculate what caused the change in her behavior toward him, but recent events would have to be considered and dealt with before his answers could be obtained.
The demon lord felt his eyes narrow in determination. He would give her the space she needed for now, but he would not allow her to avoid the issue for long. __________________________________________________________________ ______
It was early afternoon when an odd combination of individuals, human, youkai, and one hanyou found themselves gathered together in a small hut. Greetings and the light conversations of friends reunited had already been exchanged, and now they all were waiting in silence to discover why they had been summoned.
Standing near the room’s entrance, Sesshoumaru observed the proceedings. He had been rather surprised when Inuyasha had arrived a short time ago, his miko held securely on his back. Their eyes had met and he had expected the whelp to make a rude remark or attempt to start a fight. Instead he had merely scowled before turning his attention to Kagome to question her as to why she had called on them. The miko refrained from answering, telling him that she wished to wait until everyone was there.
I was not long after that, that the huntress, fire-cat and monk had arrived. The humans had offered a respectful greeting which he had returned with an acknowledging nod. Now, they were all waiting with varying degrees of patience for Kagome to tell them why they were here. The last time she had gathered them together like this, bad tidings had been on the horizon. Unfortunately this time would not be different.
“What’s this all about Kagome?” Inuyasha asked, his patience finally coming to its end.
All eyes landed on the miko, the rest of the room‘s occupants apparently wanting to know the same.
Sitting in the semi-circle of her friends, Kagome looked down at the scrolls which were clutched loosely in her right hand. Her lips twisted wryly.
“Umm…” she began slowly. “There might be a problem…” __________________________________________________________________ ______