InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Secrets of the Shinju (Part IV): Power of the Purified Shinju ❯ Tainted ( Chapter 14 )

Chapter Fourteen

Tainted

Not long after the returned to the castle the others arrived. Sesshoumaru watched as Miroku and Sango both embraced Kagome again and showered her in kind words. The three continued their conversation while Sesshoumaru's eyes moved to his brother and never left. Again, InuYasha had a disgusted look on his face as he picked up the scent of Naraku.

Finally, the demon exterminator and the monk left the room and the young boy, Kohaku, approached Kagome. Sesshoumaru could see an unspoken bond between them, a direct result of the time they had been together with Naraku. She embraced the boy and she spoke softly to him. She finally told him that he should go play with Rin and Shippou.

It was then that she turned to InuYasha. Sesshoumaru could feel the pain in her as she approached him. Without thought Sesshoumaru moved near Kagome, letting his brother know that he had better choose his words wisely when he spoke to her.

"I'm glad you're safe, Kagome." InuYasha stated in a distant voice. He couldn't get the rancid smell of Naraku to leave him alone. It disgusted him to know that he had taken Kagome as his mate. He chastised himself for his thoughts for he knew that Kagome would never have agreed to it and must have suffered greatly. However, he found himself very uncomfortable near her. He avoided her eyes that he knew were pleading with him. Finally, he told her that he had to speak with Miroku and left the room.

Kagome suddenly felt dirty. She knew InuYasha could smell Naraku and that he thought she was tainted now. She brought her hands to her face and began sobbing. She turned when she felt a hand touch her shoulder. She was surprised to see Sesshoumaru standing there. He had been so quiet; she had forgotten that he was still in the room.

"Pay no heed to my half-brother, he will stop his deplorable behavior soon enough." She caught that this was not merely a statement but a threat towards InuYasha. She looked up at the demon lord not knowing what to say. She simply nodded and turned towards the door. The hand on her shoulder tighten; she turned back to him and he looked as though he wanted to say something to her.

"Come with me." She contemplated him for a moment and then let him lead her out of the room. She followed him outside and watched him as he sniffed the air slightly and turned his head, obviously listening for any nearby demons.

"I can smell blood everywhere." He said in a disgusted voice. "Though it would seem that even now; most demons are aware of my power and are not attempting to get near my castle." He began to walk into the gardens at the rear of his castle and she followed behind him slightly.

Kagome gazed around at the beautiful flowers and plants that were blooming. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue with just hints of soft clouds scattered lazily throughout it. Under most circumstances this would have been a glorious day. However, the idea that out of the confines of Sesshoumaru's castle there was devastation raking the lands put a slight damper on the mood.

Sesshoumaru finally stopped near a small stream. The sound of the slow running water calmed Kagome's mind. She took in the beautiful sights and scents that were surrounding her and then looked at Sesshoumaru. He had been standing a few feet away watching her reactions to the beautiful surroundings. She felt herself blush when she realized he had been gazing at her so intently.

"I had hoped to speak with you before we returned to the castle." He began, not knowing how to approach the delicate subject of which he wanted to speak. She looked up at him slightly confused and then took another look at the scenery around them.

"InuYasha's behavior today was unacceptable. Do not allow it to upset you. Perhaps I should have prepared him. I apparently underestimated his naïveté." Kagome glanced at Sesshoumaru quickly and then turned away when she felt tears stinging her eyes. Again she felt his hand on her shoulder.

"Would you like to speak about what has happened?" His soft voice was comforting to her but she didn't want to tell him about what Naraku had done to her, though she knew he could smell it all over her. Her tears broke free again and she began to shiver. She felt Sesshoumaru's arms circle around her body, holding her gently. He then turned her to face him and she clung to him while she cried.

"Why did you want his life spared?" He asked after several moments. Her crying had stopped but he was still holding her closely. Kagome took a deep breath and told him about Onigumo's life with his family. She then told him how Hitomi had used Onigumo and taken his memories so that she could manipulate him.

"When Naraku woke with the memories he was different. Even his aura had changed. He was devastated…I couldn't hate him, though I knew I should."

Sesshoumaru took in her words and again found himself overwhelmed by her kind and gentle nature. "If there is anything that you need, I will be here." He said softly before he led her back to the castle.

Hours later Sesshoumaru came upon Kagome in a small sitting room. She was curled up in the corner, nestled into the throw pillows that were lying there. She was sound asleep breathing softly. He entered the room and quietly closed the door, then moved towards her.

He could again detect her own scent and could barely smell Naraku. He grew curious and knelt down towards her inhaling again. Her scent was a natural one, though it often times lingered with a sweet musk that he had learned came from a bottle that she carried with her. He could also smell tears and knew that she had cried herself to sleep. He suddenly had the urge to touch her. He reached down and stroked her hair softly then lightly ran his clawed finger over her cheek. Sesshoumaru quietly stood and retreated not wanting to frighten her out of sleep.

That evening, the humans sat down for dinner. InuYasha did not join them, which made Kagome feel even worse. Sesshoumaru also did not join them; though they had not expected him to.

Shortly afterwards they all gathered, with the exception of InuYasha; and spoke of the problem before them. The only plan they could come up with was hunting Hitomi down and taking the shinju back from her. While the group spoke Kagome remained quiet. After much discussion she finally addressed them.

"I will be going to Hitomi tonight while I sleep." The room went silent as they all stared at her. Sesshoumaru did not like the words she had just spoken but also realized that Kagome was probably their best chance to stop the demoness. The monk and demon exterminator feverishly tried to talk her out of it.

"There is no way she will let us get to her physically. Now that I no longer have Naraku's mark, my powers will be strong enough." Kagome's eyes dropped to her lap and she spoke the next words quietly. "There is a good chance that I won't be able to wake up. Hitomi is now more powerful and if she again attempts to take my powers or bind me to her…" There was a dead silence and Kagome continued.

"I believe that I can stop her. For some reason she fears my powers and the shinju itself calls to me." Kagome took on a look that let the others know she had no intentions of being talked out of it.

Sesshoumaru stood near the door watching the priestess as she spoke. He held a great respect for her and the infinite amount of courage she had.

He then focused again on her scent. He could no longer smell Naraku on her. This fact was beginning to unnerve him. He slowly walked further into the room and studied the air around him. Still not picking up the scent he began to focus around her. He noted that her spiritual powers had been working and were probably responsible for removing the half-breeds scent.

He pondered the reasoning for this and came to the conclusion that she desired to be rid of Naraku and all of the memories that went along with him. He had effectively tuned out the conversation between the humans and focused intensely on the priestess.

As though Kagome could sense his thoughts she looked up at Sesshoumaru meeting his eyes briefly. While she looked at him, Sesshoumaru became overwhelmed with her intense emotions. He felt the guilt and shame that she had been feeling, mostly due to InuYasha's behavior. He felt her pain and humiliation but found him self most surprised by the emotions that she felt towards him. Kagome quickly broke eye contact with him and stood. He watched as she excused herself and left the room.

Knowing that soon she intended to go into her dream world with Hitomi, he followed her. The whole time focused on the fleeting second when he had nearly heard her voice begging him to help her forget.