InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Revelation, Realization & Redemption ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters they are the property of Rumiko Takahashi. This story was written for the purposes of entertainment and I by no means will profit from the story other than the satisfaction of exercising my imaginative and writing abilities.

Chapter 3: A New Ally

Upon returning home Sesshomaru retired to his chamber knowing that sleep would elude him this night. There was still much that weighed heavily upon his mind, and questions had begun to form that he could not begin to possibly answer. All he could do at the moment was to wait for the coming dawn, but with the light he would have to act. The taiyoukai looked out to the horizon, amber eyes still did not see the majestic beauty that lay before him, his mind more deeply troubled.

The first step before him was a daunting one, earning the trust of the young miko was not going to be easy to accomplish. This would require making the young woman see past all that previously occurred between them, the attempts on her life. This would be difficult for a demon to understand, and he was about to ask a mere human to see what many demons could not.

Sesshomaru swore under his breath. Time, history, even his own feelings were working against him. A clawed hand grasped the edge of the window in frustration as he bowed his head. None of the obstacles mattered they would have to be overcome, somehow. His duty to those that lived in his lands would have to come first. Sesshomaru could almost hear his father's voice.

"Set aside your emotions do not be selfish. Your life, your passions all come second to what must be done. Sometimes the only way we must accomplish what must be done is not so appetizing, but we do not have the luxury of choice."

Those were the words that had kept him on this path, the words that had given him strength and conviction all these years after his father's death, but they offered him little in the way of peace. Too much else was associated with those words and if he allowed himself to dwell upon the circumstances and why they were spoken he would loose himself in emotions better left closeted away in the long locked chambers of his demon heart.

A slow line of silver began to edge the horizon and the soft pastel colors began to swirl their way upwards heralding the coming of the dawn. Sesshomaru turned from the window, thankful the dawn had interrupted the dangerous line his thoughts had taken. Now was the time for him to act. Purposefully he strode from his room to collect his traveling companions; the small human girl could prove useful this day.

The early morning sounds brought Kagome back from the realm in which she had been blissfully sleeping. As her mind shook off the effects of sleep and her sense of consciousness once more restored was when she began to feel it; an unfamiliar energy surrounded them. Slowly she shifted into a sitting position as she let the feeling wash over her engulfing her in a feeling of security. Kagome could sense that the energy surrounded the area where they all slept, similar to the barrier that Kikyo had erected when she had tried to take Inuyasha to hell with her. Kagome was not sure why, but for some inexplicable reason she was certain that this was much stronger than anything that Kikyo was capable of conjuring.

Slowly thoughts and questions began to multiply in her mind. Who would do such a thing? Why? Was it a trap? The last question she quickly dismissed, there was nothing in the energy that felt like a trap, or a spell meant to harm them. Her gaze darted to her still sleeping companions she could hear their deep breathing, no, it was like nothing they had come into contact with, but it was no trap. Nothing about the energy seemed harmful, in fact if she had to venture a guess, whoever it was may have been trying to protect them. That led her back to her first two questions.

Even with her questions, Kagome found she could not help but be grateful to whomever, or had created the barrier around them. The rest it had afforded her had done her good, as she knew it would do the others good. A snore from above her head caught her attention. A smile graced her lips as she watched the hanyou in the tree sleep. Somehow they sensed it too, as she had never seen any of them seem so relaxed while they slept, and she had never heard Inuyasha snore. Yes, they all of them had a restful night for once. Kami knew it was much needed. Living on the edge, always anticipating an attack didn't lend to rest and relaxation.

Not knowing when the next time they would be afforded such a treat, Kagome decided against waking them. Carefully she slipped out of her sleeping bag, careful not to rouse the small kitsune that was still snuggled in its folds. Gingerly she stood up, walking as softly as she could to her pack, to retrieve some supplies for breakfast. The zipper sounded loud and harsh to her ears as she carefully tugged it down the side, scrunching her eyes up as if that gesture would prevent the sound from coming. She shot a glance over her shoulder at the group, no one stirred. A quick glance into the tree top confirmed that Inuyasha still was asleep. Another snore from the hanyou confirmed that she had not triggered his overly sensitive hearing. She let out a sigh and pulled what she needed from the pack.

The ashen remains of last night's fire lay before her, not even a small portion of a branch left to burn, it all had burnt out sometime in the night, another sign of how deeply they had all slept. Kagome set down her load, and turned to ferret out some small twigs and branches to start a small fire to heat the water for their ramen. Feeling no qualms about wandering close to camp, yet out of hearing range Kagome walked away from the group on her quest.

Kagome had just walked past a fallen log when she noticed the small human girl standing in the forest. Midnight eyes widened in surprise as the young girl rushed forward in happy greeting, giggling a little as she did so, causing Kagome to throw a glance over her shoulder at the group resting behind her. Not a single one had stirred. Once more her attention focused on the little girl she had returned just yesterday to Sesshomaru.

Kagome froze as she looked at the girl knowing that Sesshomaru was likely to be nearby. The air to her right moved and in her peripheral vision Kagome saw the tell tale flutter of white fabric… Sesshomaru was here.

Her mind was a whirlwind of confused thoughts, the barrier was still in place, she could feel its energy around her. Yet he was still there as was the girl and another quick look to the right confirmed that the small horrid imp that typically traveled with him was there as well. Either the barrier around them was a figment of her imagination or Sesshomaru was responsible for it being there. Yet the barrier was there but history was against Sesshomaru helping them for any reason.

Kagome stood up, confusion and indecision playing across her face, as she struggled to acknowledge the conclusion she had already drawn. It didn't make sense, but all the same that could be the only reason that the three of them were here. Once more she found that she was not afraid of the demon lord before her, and again she was caught off guard by this realization.

Kagome bowed her head and forced the word "Arrigato" from her lips. She raised her head and met his amber gaze that once more seemed to be sizing her up, assessing her. When he didn't acknowledge her thanks and continued to stare at her, Kagome felt suddenly unsure of her instincts and decided to find out if it really was him. "The energy, the barrier… it was you who protected us last night. Wasn't it?"

"Hai, miko… it was I that placed the barrier around you and your group last night. I came upon you as you slept and was surprised to find that you had no protection." Sesshomaru stated; his voice both commanding and emotionless as he spoke. The taiyoukai did not deign to acknowledge her thanks, as it was unnecessarily given. The barrier was not an act of kindness or gratitude, but rather his duty to ensure her safety nothing more and nothing less.

Sesshomaru's keen eyes did not miss the slight blush that tinged her cheeks, nor did his ears miss the intake of breath when he had said the words miko. Just as she had done the previous day, the human woman once more denied the title he addressed her with.

"Lord Sesshomaru I'm sorry, but like I said yesterday I `m not a Miko, I don't have powers like Miroku or Kaede." Kagome managed to get the words out past her thoughts that were still spinning wildly about inside her head. Why would he still address her as such? She really didn't have any true powers, not like the ones she'd seen Kikyo use. Sensing jewel shards and purifying them were not exactly powers that would draw Sesshomaru's notice. Last she knew he didn't really care about the jewel or Naraku, the only thing he had ever been after was the Tetsusaiga.

"No, I am not mistaken, it is you who are mistaken," Sesshomaru's voice cut through her thoughts, commanding her full attention. "Despite what you say, you are not merely a reincarnation of my brother's dead lover."

Always observant his demon eyes did not miss Kagome's flinch at the words `my brother's dead lover'. However he continued speaking his voice betraying none of his aroused curiosity and confusion at her reaction.

"You are a powerful miko in your own right. Within you dwells another soul. The soul of an ancient powerful miko, whose powers I have always thought to be long gone from this world, sealed away forever. And though everything I know tells me that it shouldn't be so; that it's not possible … just as surely as my eyes can see you standing before me I can feel that power emanating from within you just as I felt it from her all those years ago. The powers that lay dormant within you are formidable, no human I have ever encountered before had this much power lying dormant within them. No, you are the one who is mistaken."

Sesshomaru watched the interplay of emotions on the miko's face. The human before him was torn but she remained silent and did not voice the disbelief that she wore so openly on her face. Thankfully Jaken was silent as well; he had caught one small favor that the imp was apparently as awestruck and clueless to the girl's potential as well. Then again there were few demons who would feel the powers that slept within her, and fewer yet who knew what they really were.

"You do not readily accept what I have said. This I can understand, but know that I speak the truth. An evil plagues the land once more and I have come to give you my services as a teacher. You will need to be able to use your powers if we are to prevent the destruction that is to come if Naraku is allowed to succeed."

If Kagome was expecting Sesshomaru to say anything else about her powers she was not prepared for that. Something inside of her rebelled at the thought of him teaching her. Suddenly it occurred to her that this had to be a trap, a trick to get close to get Inuyasha's sword. Kagome felt like smacking herself in the head at that moment, of course that's what it was. How could it be anything else?

Despite that rational train of thought a small part of her persisted in believing that he spoke the truth. After all he could have taken the sword last night while they were all sleeping. If all he was after was the sword, then why the barrier? Why all this useless talk of miko powers inside of her? He had never shown an interest in her before. And why was he the only one to notice? Surely if she had as much power as he claimed Naraku would have noticed.

Kagome forced herself to speak, asking herself these questions wouldn't accomplish anything. The only way to get to the bottom of this was to confront him. Midnight eyes flashed in suspicion as they locked onto his amber ones as Kagome gave voice to some of her thoughts.

"No one else has noticed that I have these powers that you seem to all of a sudden seem to think I have. Miroku and Kaede are trained in the spiritual arts and they haven't noticed anything. How come you're the only one?"

Sesshomaru noticed the suspicion in her eyes, the distrust and trepidation within her voice. This reaction had been anticipated, and he had come prepared, but before he could speak Jaken's familiar voice filled his ears.

"Foolish human" Jaken snorted in disdain, "This is Lord Sesshomaru he is a taiyoukai, he senses and knows all. You dare question what he says, you must truly be unworthy of the powers that Lord Sesshomaru has…"

"Enough Jaken," Sesshomaru interjected impatiently. He couldn't risk alienating the miko. Too much depended on her cooperation. This was not something he could accomplish by force, even if she was human. A heartbeat later Sesshomaru spoke addressing her. His tones still emotionless, authoritative, yet Kagome could sense an underlying patient urgency in them. "Kagome, it is the rare human that can sense miko powers. Most demons can sense them enough to know that they need fear them. Even though they don't know what extent a miko's powers truly are, these demons will not hesitate to come after you to destroy you. I am certain that some of the demons that were drawn to your group were drawn by your energy alone. They sought to destroy it before it could get stronger."

Kagome listened to his words and a memory of a battle long ago came to mind, a wave of energy sent hurtling towards her, only Inuyasha's speed had saved her. He had tried to kill her before, and he just said demons sought to destroy her, and no matter what the being before her looked like he was a demon. Suddenly Sesshomaru seemed to close for comfort and Kagome took a step back, as fear began to rise within her. She had been stupid to sit and listen to this nonsense. But fear did not completely silence the doubts she had that Sesshomaru wanted her dead. That last thought gave her the courage to stop her backward retreat and pose another question to him. "If demons are trained to try and destroy miko powers why are you offering to help me?"

Sesshomaru saw the girl take a step back, and he sensed her fear, and silently he cursed himself, his father and everything that had led him to the point he was now. And once more Jaken's voice filled his ears.

"Ungrateful human, you truly are a stupid child who does not know her place, how dare you speak to my Lord in such a manner."

"Be Silent Jaken," Sesshomaru growled. The taiyoukai was tempted to silence the imp permanently lest he keep interfering. The imp's unswerving loyalty to him had no equal, but at this moment, he did not need the imp to defend him against the misplaced, though not unexpected, impertinence of this human. Sesshomaru inwardly sighed as he watched a petulant expression cross over the imp's face. Amber eyes met yellow ones, silently ordering the imp to remain silent.

Satisfied that the imp would no longer interject himself into their conversation he turned his attention back to the human woman. "Kagome, I have no interest in killing you. My only interest is in helping you wield the powers that lay dormant within you. I have yet to meet a miko whose powers would cause me to take her life. I have yet to meet a miko with that kind of power."

"You tried to kill me before." Kagome said not really knowing what else to say, as all of this still seemed unreal. Never in her wildest dreams would she have thought Sesshomaru would actually be offering to help her use her miko powers. Yet that little voice in her said it was true, it begged her to believe to drop the questions and accept what he was saying, but she couldn't. Memories of past events kept returning, offering her histories against this instinct. For the first time she questioned that instinct that had yet to steer her wrong.

Kagome wanted to scream in frustration. It was time to wake the others. She couldn't face him on his own, but then he spoke again and she heard the urgency in his voice and the truth.

"If I wanted to kill you, you would already be dead. I don't…"

"Get away from her you bastard!" Inuyasha yelled as he moved with lightning speed to stand between the two. Amber eyes glittered dangerously as they stared at the taiyoukai before him. Tetsusiaga was drawn, it power hung in the air waiting to be unleashed at its intended target. Sesshomaru would not walk away from this fight, not this time.