InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Bliss of Nights Forgotten ❯ I Can Understand That ( Chapter 3 )

By: EvilNekoEatsYourSoul

Last time: Through the tears she spoke, and again the dreamer could not hear what was being said, but he saw himself shake his head in a negative answer. What she asked, he could not give her. He could feel himself leaving the dream realm as his body began to wake. Then a voice broke the serene quiet of the dream, nervous and hurried a feminine voice beckoned to him. "Remember," it said, "let her go before…" but the message was never finished.

The dreamer sat up from where he had been resting, a warm wind blowing through his silver hair, the dream already half forgotten. Only the memory of a voice, sakura blossoms and soft black hair lingered in his mind. Spring is approaching, he thought, as he stood to stretch his muscles.

Chapter 3: I Can Understand That

Kagome sat in the garden of her beautiful prison; watching as the sun slowly rose in the sky. At least that's what it felt like to her, she was trapped here. Not that Sesshoumaru kept her locked up, but he knew she couldn't leave. She was still too weak to do much physical activity. Also, she was bound to him. Bound by her sense of honor and the promise Inuyasha had made in order to save her life. But that could not be changed. Even though she wished that Inuyasha had never committed her to such a thing, he should have let death taken her. After all, death was a natural thing. Everyone dies eventually. . . some sooner than others. . . She grimaced at the morbid thoughts and again turned to the problem at hand.

She had not been completely surprised at what the youkai had asked of her. In fact the first she would willingly grant; Teach Rin to be a miko, simple enough. The second request though, that would be much more difficult. He wanted his arm back, that task would pose two problems. The first of which being, how she could accomplish such a task? She had stayed up all night thinking on this.

Since the completion of the shikon no tama and her near death experience she had felt weakened, rather than strengthened. Kaede had told her that her powers as a miko would increase once the shards were all reunited. Yet here she was, feeling weaker then she had when the well had first claimed her. The only conclusion she could come to was that her wound along with the energy it had taken to fuse and cleanse the shikon shards had drained so much energy out of her that it was taking longer then usual for her to regain her strength.

Her other fear of regenerating his arm was what he would use it for. He was a more then formidable opponent with just one arm. Who knew what kind of havoc he could wreak with two? If she were to return his arm to him would he live peacefully in his castle using his powers only to protect his lands? Or would he once again go after the Tetsusaiga and try to kill Inuyasha and her friends? There was only one way for her to find out, she had to ask him. But couldn't he easily lie? No, she shook her head. He had his honor and she trusted the fact that he would not stoop to lying. He had always been straightforward with his desires for the sword.

`Once again, I'm being used. That's all I've been; Just the means to an end the entire time… Even with Inuyasha. Perhaps we are friends now, but before. . . Before I was just the reincarnation of his lost love who was useful because I could see the light of shikon shards. Now I've been traded off to his brother, to teach his young charge to be a miko and to give him back the arm Inuyasha took. It's no wonder I'm feeling so depressed and bitter lately. I've finally come to realize the truth of all this, I'm useful and that's all I have to trade on, my usefulness. Otherwise I'd be left to fend for myself and die. Oh! Inuyasha, I wish you had left me to die there! I love you, you're one of my dearest friends, but sometimes you are such a baka!' Tears formed in her eyes and she let them fall unchecked as she walked to the room she had been given. She was so caught up in her thoughts she didn't notice the silver haired demon watching her, a curious glint in his eyes.

~Sesshoumaru (and his little inner demons…haha. Yes, I am a dork)~

How annoying. . .

What?

The way she looks.

Don't tell me you don't find her attractive.

No, it's not that. . . She always looks. . . sad. It's annoying to say the least. That's it.

Oh, defensive aren't we? Well, what reason does she have to be happy?

She's alive isn't she!?! I could have just as easily let her die.

True, but this is probably the first time she's ever been without both family and friends.

Point being? I do not plan to keep her here any longer then necessary.

. . .I cannot believe that I am a part of you.

WHAT WAS THAT?!?!?!

For such a great and noble lord you really are dense.

. . . and just what is that supposed to mean?

Isn't it obvious?

No.

She's lonely.

. . .

You're not the only one who feels lonely sometimes.

I do not feel such a pathetic human emotion.

Not anymore, not since Rin.

. . . I will just order her to act normal, than she will obey and stop irritating me.

. . .You really are an idiot. . .

Well, do you have a better suggestion?

Yes, be nice to her.

I have better things to do then cater to my half-brothers foolish human wench.

Better things. . . such as? . . .Besides, Rin is human. . .

Rin, yes. . . I will let the girl spend time with Rin. Rin always makes me feel. . . comfortable.

Comfortable is not the word. She makes you feel-

It doesn't matter. They are both humans. They can give each other comfort

Finally you're making sense.

~*~

Just as he came to terms with himself, Sesshoumaru saw the center of his thoughts enter the dining hall with a chattering Rin holding onto the sleeves of her robe.

Before he knew it the little girl was attached to his leg, smiling her gap-toothed smile at him.

"Ohayoo Sesshoumaru-sama! Will Sesshoumaru-sama come outside with Rin and Kagome today?"

He made a sideways glance at the now seated miko; who said nothing. She didn't even spare him a glance, just sat there staring at the wall across the room from her seat.

"Hai, Rin" The small child clapped her hands and ran towards where Kagome was seated. The young woman gave him an icy glare that clearly stated his company was not welcomed. His irritation was growing rapidly at her reaction, as she once again took to gazing at the wall.

After the miko had taken a few bites, and Rin had stuffed mass quantities of food into her mouth the child grabbed both the hands of Kagome and Sesshoumaru before leading them out into the garden. They each spared the other a glance, which was quickly averted as strange thoughts about they're awkward situation entered their minds.

~*~

"Sango, get out of the way!" Inuyasha yelled, but the demon exterminator wouldn't move away from the injured Miroku. She stood bravely next to his unconscious form, holding her hiraikotsu out in front of her as a shield. The hanyou rushed forward but was unable to do anything but watch as the large dragon demon slammed into hiraikotsu, splintering it and taking Sango in it's jaws.

"Sango! NO!" and then, time stopped. The scene before him stood still. The wounded houshi lying on the forest floor, the sun high in the sky and the nearly dead Sango in the demon's teeth, it all stopped. All was still, and then the scene faded, turning into a vortex of color. Reds mixing with greens, and blues swimming amongst black and in the center of it all stood a person. A woman, she had long hair the color of onyx and eyes that were a deep blue shade. A sad smile curved her lips and she reached a hand out towards him.

"Inuyasha," Kagome said, that forlorn smile still upon her lips "finally, I've found you. Now listen to me, I don't have much time. . . You're the only person I could think of to contact. . ."

Inuyasha was becoming increasingly more confused. What on earth was she talking about? He was about to say as much but instead he said, "Kagome, I'm coming for you. When you are done helping my brother, I'll be there to help you back home safely…"

"No, Inuyasha listen! Go back to Kaede's village, wait for me there. If all goes as planned then everything will be alright. But you must return to the village as soon as possible!" she stepped towards him, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her head in his chest.

Her actions just now confirmed his suspicions; this was a dream. Kagome would never do that in real life. "It's just a stupid dream. . ." he said. He felt her head jerk away from him, and she looked into his eyes.

"No, Inuyasha. . ." And she was gone.

"Wake up Inuyasha, what's wrong with you? You've slept long past dawn." Miroku was shaking the sleepy eyed hanyou awake.

". . . Nothing. . . just some weird dream."

~*~

Rin had gone to pick flowers, leaving the two adults to sit in an uncomfortable silence as they watched her running around the field. Every few minutes she would run to them and drop flowers into Kagomes lap or hand them shyly to Sesshoumaru. Once she had placed one of the flowers in Sesshoumaru's hair and she giggled when he looked grumpy.

"She really is something special." Kagome said, breaking the silence. Sesshoumaru offered no answer, just gave her one of his side-glances and nodded his head.

"I need to know," she continued, "for what reason do you need your arm? You're still stronger then any demon I've seen here, with the exception of Naraku, and with only one arm." Her voice was calm and reasonable, for a moment leaving out the icy edge.

He felt uncomfortable, though he hid it. He had expected this question, but still found it difficult to tell the truth of it.

"That is true, throughout these lands, and even amongst the lords of the North, South, and East I am both revered and feared for the power I possess, even with only my one arm. But having met someone as evil and powerful as Naraku, I need to know that if something like him should appear again I am able to protect my lands."

"Is that all?" it was almost a whisper. He wouldn't have picked it up if not for his youkai hearing.

"No, there is also her." He just nodded his head in the general direction Rin was in.

Unexpectedly, an image of Shippou emerged in her mind and she could understand that need to protect someone you love. She nodded her head as a tear slid down her cheek. She hadn't realized until now how much she cared for and missed the young kitsune. Thankfully, Sesshoumaru seemed to be ignoring her once again.

"I understand," she said in another whisper, "I know how that feels, and for that reason I will help you."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

author's note: Reviews are always nice… ^_^