InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Botanist and the Beast ❯ Chapter 7: Beauty and Beast: Instigation ( Chapter 7 )

Disclaimer: I don't own, Sesshou, Rin and all other inu char's Takahashi Rumiko does. The characters from Alice in Wonderland belong to Lewis Carroll. The Story Beauty and the Beast was written by Marie Le Prince de Beaumont in 1765 I don't think they had copyrights back then so the disclaimor is moot. The song “Beauty and the Beast” belong completely to the Disney Corp and is used without permission. I barely own that beat to hell Dodge and they all seem lest interested in owning it than I do.

 

The Botanist and the Beast

Chapter 7: Beauty and Beast: Instigation

Dear Alice,

Jam will only help you out of a jam if you aren't already trapped in a jam jar. In that case you will only drown in the jam. Try some nice marmalade.

-The March Hare

 

 

As was my custom I did not change into the new kimono until the following night after I had practiced my katas, bathed and washed my outfit from that day. I could not help but feel a little giddy as I done the expensive garb and in all fairness I have to admit that for a creepy, stoic; self-centered ass, Sesshomaru had good taste. The kimono not only fit me beautifully but the high quality and solid workmanship hinted that it would be a very durable garment.

 

“Donella-sama! You're gorgeous!” Rin exclaimed as I reentered the clearing and hung my threadbare laundry near the fire to dry. I was self-conscious of the way such an expensive outfit must look on me and running river water does not make a good mirror.

 

I felt a blush creep into my cheeks at Rin's obvious delight and even Jaken nodded approvingly before saying, “That color suites you very well, Donella-san. Sesshomaru-sama has excellent taste…” When it comes to flattering his lord, even when his lord isn't around, Jaken is a fifth degree brown-nosing black belt and I had become quite accustomed to ignoring his incessant obsequiousness and he was on a role about the kimono. I just nodded a few times to make him feel listened too and then placed myself next to Rin.

 

Letting the girl snuggle close I said, “I've got a very special story for you tonight Rin, it's one of my all time favorites.” She grinned up at me and I returned her smile as I began my tale:

 

“There once was a rich merchant and his three beautiful daughters. I will not bother to name the first two, because they play such a small part in this story that their names don't matter, but the youngest was called Beauty.

 

“Many men courted the daughters. Even though the eldest two were haughty and cruel to their suitors, they were offered for often because of their father's wealth and their own superficial charms. They denied all offers, however, thinking themselves to good for such men and were hoping for proposals from titled lords. Beauty was also proposed to often, but she was gentle in her rebukes saying she was yet too young and wished to remain by her beloved father's side for a while longer.

 

“The eldest sisters spent their time at parties and balls while Beauty learned her father's business and joyfully spent her time studying books about the world around her. All was carefree and joyous for the family. Misfortune; however, was soon to end their lighthearted lives in the form of a sunken fleet of ships and the utter ruin of their father's fortune.

 

“The family was forced to sell everything they owned and buy a small cottage in the countryside. The gentlemen callers, party invitations and frivolous things the two eldest had occupied themselves with were gone with their fortune and no one would acknowledge them now that they had only their looks and spiteful demeanors to recommend them. There were still offers for Beauty's hand, however, since she was not only beautiful but sweet, smart and kind. Yet the girl would not be parted from her father and followed her family valiantly into their country exile.” I recounted my tale of how Beauty's father became lost in the woods, his encounter with the beast, and Beauty's selfless exchange of her life for his. As I came to the part where Beauty arrives at the castle and her first encounter with the beast I was surprised to see Sesshomaru leave his lone position at the edge of the camp to join us by the fire. I cocked an eyebrow at him as he sat crossed legged in front of me and he returned my gaze with a hard stare that made me uneasy.

 

“Is there something the matter, Sesshomaru-sama?” My question startled Rin and Jaken from their dozing postures to look at their master.

 

“No, continue your tale, girl.” His icy command ruffled me, but I let it slide as I went on.

 

“Beauty found that the immense castle held everything she could hope for, a music room, a conservatory and to her greatest joy: a vast library containing more books than she could possibly read in two lifetimes. Her elation was tempered, however, by her sorrow over the loss of her father and she even missed her cruel sisters.

 

“As her melancholy overcame her and she fell to the floor sobbing, a deep, gravely voice spoke from the shadow of the door, `Do not weep fair Beauty for you are now the mistress of this castle and everything here you behold is yours.'”

 

“The girl looked up at these words, but she could not see the speaker, and remembering her father's tale of a ferocious and evil monster she steeled her heart and said boldly, `Please sir, if you are to address me I would see your face.' There was a long pause before the Beast hesitantly entered the room fully and she beheld his terrible visage. She did not cry out, but she could not keep a look of horror from her face at the terrible fanged creature before her. He was made even more gruesome by the mockery of human attire that draped his deformed body. As if he could somehow pass as a gentleman of the court with his massive claws, hairy body and fanged, boar-like countenance.

 

“ `I am horrible to behold. Am I not a true monster?' His words were mocking, but Beauty heard the mortification in his voice and her kind nature responded, `Among mankind, there are many that deserve that label more than you do, and I would rather be here with you, just as you are, than with those monsters that wear human faces to hide treacherous, twisted and evil souls. Your form, though not pleasing to the eye, is at least an honest one.'” As I continued my tale, I was fascinated and a bit embarrassed at the yokai's wrapped attention.

 

Though he sat perfectly still and his face remained blank the whole time, his absorbed interest gave me the impression of an eager child hanging on every word. When Beauty broke her promise to return to the Beast in a week's time and the flower on the mantle began to quietly die I could have sworn I saw the twitch of a frown almost crease his forehead. When she returned to find the Beasts prone and wasting body I was certain I saw a flutter of angry fire in his cool eyes. Yet I did not imagine the full blown look of aversion on his face or the dissatisfied grunt that escaped Sesshomaru's throat at Beauty's declaration of love, Beast's transformation into a lord and everyone living happily ever after.

 

I finally tore my eyes from him as I finished my tale. Glancing around I noticed Rin, Jaken and Ah-Un were fast asleep and even the firelight had died to a quiet glow. Ignoring the frowning Daiyoukai I gently extracted myself from the sleeping child and made my way to the fire.

 

“I find your tale unreasonable.” I sighed, I expected as much. Maybe I should tell him he's becoming predictable. The memory of him slapping me across the field like a gnat floated into my mind. On second thought, maybe a little tact… “Of course you do, it's a child tale, and they aren't supposed to be reasonable; they're supposed to be about love and hope and whatnot.” I said keeping my voice low in hopes my companions would not wake. I added some wood to the fire and blew on the coals to bring it back to life.

 

“Beauty did not abide by her word, the Beast should have killed her for her faithlessness.” I heaved a long-suffering sigh. And how do I explain this so that I get some sleep tonight and not insult stupor-man? Must think like a self-involved, arrogant yokai…

 

I pondered that point of view for a moment before replying, “If he had killed her he would not have been released from the curse by her declarations of love. Also, since the magnitude of the spell isn't explained by the story, it's possible that killing her after becoming human might have caused him to revert to the monster form. So even if you don't believe that they were truly in love and she deserves forgiveness, she at least cannot be killed, and marriage is a sound way to make sure she remained unharmed and he continues in his desired state.” I smiled brightly at him as I finished my explanation, proud that I had puzzled the ending out so cynically.

 

“That is a reasonable explanation, but you do not believe it.” I pivoted in my crouched position by the fire to glare at him.

 

“What, pray tell, do you know about my beliefs?” His impassive face revealed nothing as I waited for his answer, but he rose without comment and moved to the edge of the clearing. I shrugged; content with his silence and happy the interrogation had ended quickly. He raised his head skyward and I could not help comparing his posture with that of a dog scenting the air and an unexplainable anxiety seized me.

 

“What is it?” I asked quietly resisting the urge to glance around nervously as I forced myself instead to apprehensively watch him. He continued ignoring me as he said.

 

“Jaken wake up.” There was an urgent command in his voice and the silly toad woke to it grumpily.

 

“What is it Sesshomaru-sama?” He asked cantankerously rubbing his eyes, irritation written in his body and voice.

 

“Take Rin and the others into the woods,” He gestured dramatically behind himself as he stared intently forward into the darkness.

 

“But my lord you can't be serious..” By now Rin had woken up and began to gather the blankets together as Jaken began to whine, but Sesshomaru interrupted him with an imperious command that even I didn't ignore.

 

“Now!” I snatched my backpack from Rin as we moved in the indicated direction and brusquely slipped my arms into the straps. Sesshomaru's odd behavior worried me, but his sense of urgency couldn't be denied. Something's out there, ran through my mind in a panicked whisper as images of the giant beast that accompanied Byakuya flashed in my brain. Thoughts of Byakuya ousted the vague idea of a threat for more even terrifying possibilities, what if he's here? What if he brought reinforcements? Sesshomaru has fought him before, but Byakuya is still alive. What if Rin gets hurt? We need to find a place to hide. The practical mode of action was reassuring as we hurried into the unknown darkness and I tried to remember what I had seen earlier that evening as we looked for our campsite. Jaken muttered cross reassurances about Sesshomaru's safety to the visibly shaking Rin and my heart went out to the anxious girl.

 

“Rin the best way we can help Sesshomaru right now is to find us a safe place to hide so he has less to worry about and distract him from fighting whatever is out there. Do you remember those really big rocks we were climbing on earlier?” I tried to make my voice as calm as possible as I referenced a tight circle of giant stones we had played in earlier that evening.

 

“The one we pretended were dragon caves? Yes Donella-sama those would be a perfect place to hide!” her cleverness made me smile into the darkness despite the fear.

 

“That's right, Jaken, do you think you would be able to defend those rocks with your staff? They are about ten minutes east of here.” The kappa let out a derisive snort.

 

“Heh, Quite easily, my lady, it is a very good idea.” His tone held some admiration in it as we changed our direction and I felt even more reassured by his approval. The glowing moment of pride didn't last long, however, as a crashing roar ahead stopped us. A giant, furry worm materialized before us through the trees. A very bad feeling developed in my stomach.

 

Without thinking I lifted Rin from her feet, pushing Jaken to the ground and I rolled behind a tree clutching the child to my chest as a dart of flame ripped through the air we had recently occupied. I heard Jaken yell as he countered the worm's surprise attack with a blast of flame from his staff, but it did not seem to damage the creature at all. Ah-Uh let loose with an electric blast from both mouths and the creature backed up, but was still not visibly injured. I looked down at the tremulous child in my arms “Rin stay here.” I didn't wait for her to object as I ran to Ah-Un's side and pulled my sword free from his pack as the dragon let loose another attack in conjunction with Jaken. Yet even their combined force had no affect the creature.

 

The worm charged forward again and aimed a blast of fire at Jaken, I smelled burning flesh and when the blaze died down the Kappa was physically holding the monster off with his staff and he was loosing the confrontation quickly. I charged forward with my battered sword and was surprised to feel it bite deeply into the fiend's hide as the monster swung back to face me with a bellow of rage and pain. I grabbed Jaken and pulled him behind another covering tree. “Jaken, you aren't doing any good here. Take Ah-Un and Rin to the rocks, I'll hold him off and try to buy you a little time.”

 

“You are a ningen you'll be slaughtered by that beast, my lord will not forgive me for abandoning you.” The grim line of his face made me even more determined, and inpatient. I'm not going to live through this but damn it you have to.

 

“If I die here, you, Ah-Un and Rin have a chance to survive. If you and Ah-Un die here we are all toast. Two can ride Ah-Un easily, Sesshomaru already considers me expendable and he's right. So get your little green ass moving and get Rin out of here!” He didn't have a chance to argue as a blast of flame from the worm incinerated our tree and sent us fleeing, but I was reassured to see him dart towards Rin's hiding place as I charged the monster again.

 

The creature was enormous and close up it's venomous, glowing eyes and rows of razor-sharp teeth were incredibly intimidating. Ok, so it had demonic strength, heals quickly, and spits fire. I have a battered, over-sharpened sword, little physical ability and walking casualties somewhere behind me, this should be a cinch. “Hey! Slimy over here!” I yelled as I swing at his midsection again and was rewarded with a splattered mess of blood all over my new kimono. He countered by rolling his body forward trying to crush me, and I dodged, but not far enough as my foot was caught beneath him.

 

I heard Ah-Un cry from above me and looked up to see the dragon hovering over the fight. I drove my sword deep into the flesh over my foot and was granted my freedom as the monster slithered back with another roar of pain. “Get out of here now Jaken!” I yelled with all my power as I stumbled out of the way of another blast of fire from the beast. The monster was in earnest now and I did not have time to see if the toad had headed my order. I spent the next few moments of my life dodging and hiding from my enemy as I looked for an opening to attack.

 

I was bleeding from a burn in my right leg and a million small cuts and scrapes all over my body. I was moving from fatigued, to exhausted blackout quickly when sheer dumb luck saved me. The worm had my body in a death grip in the center of the burned out clearing our battle had created and I was futilely stabbing at its body with my sword when Byakuya flew into the clearing with Sesshomaru in hot pursuit.

 

The worm let out an earsplitting bellow and the new intruders, and lunged its head forward to snap at Sesshomaru. The action finally brought the underside of its head within reach. With every once of my remaining strength and adrenaline I jammed my sword upwards into the soft flesh of it's jaw and buried the weapon to the hilt. The dieing convulsions of the worm caused it's muscles to contracted around me and I screamed from the bone crushing agony before it fell limply into death and my battered body fell out of it's loosened grip onto the ground beside it. The sounds of battle raged around me, I heard Sesshomaru yell something and Byakuya responded, but my befuddled mind could not translate the clamor through the fog that had claimed it. With great effort I found my feet and managed to inspect the scene before me.

 

Sesshomaru was in bad shape. A gaping wound was evident in his chest, his customarily impeccable kimono was almost as singed and blood soaked as my own. His breathing was labored and he was leaning heavily on his sword for support. Byakuya was in only slightly better shape. He bore bleeding claw wounds all over his body, his raven hair was lank with drying blood and his beautiful kimono was seared and torn into rags, but his tone was still arrogant and mocking as he addressed Sesshomaru.

 

“Our little game is at an end, Sesshomaru. Naraku-sama sent a gift for you, incase you were unforthcoming with the information he wants. Now you die!” with those words he threw a ball of dirt towards Sesshomaru. Bands of blue glowing light flew from the mass and rapped Sesshomaru who screamed out in agony as he fought vainly against the bonds. Laughing Byakuya manufactured his flying paper crane and with one last gloating look flew away to the east.

 

I did not spare the retreating yokai a backward glance as I rushed towards Sesshomaru. His eyes were open and staring sightlessly into space as he struggled and writhed in pain against the ever-tightening electric trap. I gingerly put my hand out and toughed one of the glowing ropes. It was cool to the touch but didn't hurt me. Some instinct told me that it was made to hold a yokai, and specifically Sesshomaru. Going with the intuition, for lack of any other option, I threw myself bodily against the bonds and they parted around me. The force of my actions shoved Sesshomaru completely clear of the snare, and I landed heavily on top of his limp body as the glowing bonds reformed themselves into one enormous ball of energy and hurtled towards us. “Oh Shit!” I cried and shut my eyes against our end.

 

I expected a loud noise, or at the least agonizing pain, but at the instant of impact the world change around me. All I could hear was the labored breathing of my companion and myself. I felt light, as if I was floating and a tremendous sense of peace over came me. I hesitantly opened my eyes to find that we were encased in light and bellow us the countryside flew by at an alarming rate. Within seconds we were deposited by our glowing transport in concealed thicket. Lacking much energy I rolled away from the unconscious yokai and soon slipped into oblivion myself.

 

Sesshomaru was still asleep when I woke sometime later and examined our refuge. The early dawn light revealed fragrant Autumn-Olive shrubs, Japanese Barberry and Kalkora trees. To my trained eye that meant one startling fact, That damned glowing ball of light sent us to the completely opposite coast! My anger at our predicament fueled me with enough energy to heave myself to my feet and toddle off to search for some food, water and a private bush to relieve my bladder.

 

During my walk I assessed the damage to my person. The left side of my face felt swollen, I was covered in bruises, the burn in my leg was developing into the largest, ugliest blistered mass I have ever seen, I also had a zillion tiny cuts, at least one cracked rib and I was covered in dry smelly blood and goop. I have never needed a bath more in my entire life! I thought as I pulled mushrooms.

 

When I returned the sun was beginning to warm the air and the slumbering Daiyoukai had not awaken, but had shifted himself into the growing shade of a nearby tree revealing the green straps of my backpack beneath him. “Wow, we are luckier than I thought.” I remarked to his unconscious form as I set the berries and fungi I had found on a nearby rock and seized the exposed bands. At first I tried to be gentle, but the burn in my leg was agony and my patience nonexistent. The unresponsive yokai did not seem to be aware of my frantic tugging and so I threw my weight into the exercise and was rewarded when the whole mess came free and I fell onto my butt with the prize in my lap. “Damn, for a lanky freak you sure are heavy!” I grumbled as I began rummaging into the bag.

 

“What do you think you are doing disturbing me in such a manner?” The icy voice was weak and strained, but it reflected his usual calm and startled me as I looked up to see that he had not moved, but his eyes were open and he appeared to be lucid.

 

“Well good morning to you too, Sunshine, I trust your nap was restful?” He didn't respond so I proffered a threadbare kimono in my right hand and my worn shorts in the other. “I think I'm going to cut this into bandages, Then I think I'm going to bathe and finally I think I'm going to dress my wounds and change into these shorts and a tank top so I can clean this rancid kimono I'm wearing. After that I will have to give the situation more thought, but the day is still young.” He remained quiet so I continued to rummage in the pack until I found my small medicine bag, a pocketknife and the aforementioned tank top.

 

Gathering my prizes to me gingerly I stood and considered my surroundings, a vague wet earth smell had been wafting to my nose and I turned in a slow circle sniffing softly. Damned dog, he knows where the water's coming from, his sense of smell is a million times better than mine, but will he even give me a hint? Hell no. Ignoring the inscrutable look from the unhelpful yokai I started off in the direction that smelled stronger to my weak human nose and was delighted to find a small brook within a few minutes walk of our retreat.

 

My new kimono came clean faster than I had expected and neither the worm yokai's blood nor my own seemed to have left the fabric any worse for the wear. Even the burn and cut marks seemed to be smaller than my wounds. It's gonna mend easily and look as good as new. He may be a self-absorbed dick, but he knows how to pick some damned durable fabric.

 

Bathed, bandaged and dressed I decided to catch some fish before returning to the cantankerous canine but I had little luck. I'm gonna have to praise Rin more the next time we eat fish, this is tough! I altered my strategy and moved some rocks into the water, creating a fish trap and made plans to check on it before dinner.

 

It was approaching late afternoon when I finally returned to the makeshift camp to find the injured yokai leaning against a Kalkora tree with his eyes closed. Though is breathing was even his twitching nose belying his ruse. “You don't have to pretend to be asleep just to avoid talking to me, I'll have no problem ignoring you either way.” I murmured quietly as I sat my supplies down, hung my dripping kimono up, and began digging a shallow hole to build a fire in. He remained silent and so I proved my boast as I pretended he wasn't there and went about my business of setting up camp.

 

After the pit was dug I placed a large stone in the center for my one small pan to rest on and left him to gather firewood and scout for useful edibles and herbs. I returned triumphant with two wild yams, a handful edible shelf fungi and my pan full of berries. One great thing about being lost in summer, you won't starve to death. I happily laid my horde near the fire pit and without a glance in Sesshomaru's direction left the camp again to check for fish. Luck was on my side and I returned with two small gutted and cleaned fish to accompany my mushrooms and herbs into the frying pan and I was humming happily to myself.

 

“What is that tune?” His voice had regained its usual strength and chilly aloofness and the impertinent question actually soothed me. His obviously weak state had alarmed me more than I would have admitted, signs of normalcy were comforting. I thought about what I had been humming and chuckled at myself before replying.

 

“It's called `Beauty and the Beast' it's from a Disney movie based on the story I told last night.” I hope he doesn't ask about Disney that would take some explaining. Wow his hair is a mess. God had it only been last night? An involuntary shudder ran through my body as I temporarily relived the terrifying events of the night before and my knees suddenly became weak. How am I still alive? Sitting down quickly I wrapped my arms around my legs and hid my head from view as I struggled to regain control of the emotional upheaval inside of me. Don't cry in front of him. Don't cry in front of him. Don't cry in front of him, you're a big girl you can handle this. Don't you dare cry in front of him. The mantra repeated through my head for several minutes and eventually alleviated the impending outburst.

 

Taking a deep breath I lifted my head and assessed my next move as I scanned the campsite for things to do that would distract me, but my diversion came from an unexpected source, “Is it just a tune, or does it posses words?”

 

My brain slowly registered the question and I realized he was referring to the song I'd been humming. “It has lyrics.” I replied finally glanced in his direction as he gave me a thoughtful, “hmm,” In response.

 

In the strong afternoon light he looked even worse than he did that morning; blood-soaked and torn his usually impeccable facade was in shambles and his glorious glossy main of hair was matted and brown with blood. Even his boa looks dingy. I thought as I considered the garment, the fur had become a sickly yellow.

 

Overall his bedraggled appearance incited conflicting emotions in me. The pathetic image made me want to give him a bath and brush his hair, but the irony of it all made me want to laugh at him. I settled for a bemused shake of my head as I said, “Wow, you look like hell.”

 

He snorted derisively, “Your own stupid actions have lead to a distinct decline in your appearance as well. What did you hope to gain by attacking that mushi?”

 

I was too worn for tact or diplomatic speech, “My stupid actions are really none of your damned business, and I hoped to gain time for the others to find a more defensible position. I didn't actually expect to kill it, or live.” I yelled at him as I balled my hands into useless fists.

 

“It is not like Jaken to flee when I have given him a direct order.”

 

“No that was me, I convinced him that if I died they would be ok, but if he died we would all soon follow.”

 

“You do not seem to value your life much, ningen. It is amazing that you still live, seeing as you spend much of your time finding absurd way to die.”

 

I suppose that between bandits and yokai, the last six months of my life have seemed a bit suicidal. I laughed, “Well my life hasn't really been worth much lately, there doesn't seem to be much reason not to shuffle off this mortal coil.” I smiled ruefully, “Though I'm not really all that eager to see this roller coaster ride end anytime soon, it's gotten pretty interesting since I met Rin and the rest of you.” I lapsed into a thoughtful silence as I considered my last year and a half, I'm actually happier here, being chased by bandits and monsters that I was back home counting plants and arguing research.

 

I sighed and my unnaturally loquacious companion asked, “What are the words to that song?”

 

I numbly blinked at him a few times in amazement, “Do you work on being this incredibly random or is it an Inu-yokai thing?” well better now than never, he can't really kill me in his condition, though I may regret my cheekiness anon.

 

“A woman who continuously mentions my parentage in the middle of a tirade on my lack of concern for her well being does not have the right to disparage my randomness, and a ningen has no right to comment on my behavior at all.” His prissy tone made me laugh again and I moved to prepare my dinner feeling more like myself than I had since I woke up.

 

“Touche, but then again, you keep talking to me so my comments are not entirely un-educed. Frankly if you aren't yapping it's very easy for me to ignore you.”

 

“Watch yourself, ningen.” His voice was a warning growl and I gave him a cool, scrutinizing look that bespoke his bug like status in my world.

 

“We've been over this, you aren't going to kill me and right now you're far to weak to go slapping me about, so why don't you get over yourself, I certainly have.” It must have been his weekend condition, blood loss making him kiddy or some such, because he smiled. Though it too was as dangerous cold as an iceberg, the smirk made his face even more handsome than before.

 

“You should learn to watch your tongue around your betters, girl, I will not be in this state for long.” He warned with an evil glint to his eyes. I returned it with a sheepish grin.

 

“My Gran always said my wagging tongue would get me into trouble, `Donella' she'd say, `Is minic a gheibhean beal oscailt diog dunta'. I suppose she had to be right sometime.” I chuckled humorlessly as I gathered lichen from the trees to use as fire starter, “But I am glad to here that you will recover quickly, I feel rather exposed here and we are a long way from where Rin, Ah-Un and Jaken are. I just hope that they will be safe until we can reach them.” I couldn't keep the worry from my voice, but I tried to distract myself from it as I took my flint and steel from the pack and employed then in starting a fire.

 

“One minute you are speaking coherently and then foreign gibberish is falling from your mouth. Speak comprehensibly or don't speak at all.”

 

“You mean `is minic a gheibhean beal oscailt diog dunta', doesn't translate like my English does? It's good to know that whatever spell I'm under only works for one of the languages I know, or maybe not. Lei capisce?” the frown that creased his brow answered my question. “Ok so no Gaelic and no Italian. Is minic a gheibhean beal oscailt diog dunta means `An open mouth often catches a closed fist' in my Gran's native language and Lei capisce is Italian for `Do you understand'.” My clarification did not seem to impress him much and I shrugged before adding a few twigs to the growing spark of my flame while I blew on the increasing conflagration.

 

The silence continued as I prepared my meal, consumed it, went to the stream, washed my things and returned. As the sun began to set I collected more branches from the forest floor around our camp and resigned myself to an evening of peace as I pulled my journal from my pack and began to write. He chose that moment to speak.

 

“Byakuya no doubt believes he has killed me, and therefore the others are safe from him. When I am fully recovered it will take only three days to return to them.” I set my journal aside and looked up at him. Is he trying to reassure me?

 

“It may only take you three days, but I move a great deal slower than you do and we are a very long way from them. If you wish to leave me behind to reach them sooner, however, I won't object. God knows they need you more than I do.” He eyed me coolly from across the fire.

 

“My mode of transportation is quite capable of accommodating myself and a creature of your diminutive size, should I chose.” I responded with a thoughtful, “hmm,” before taking my journal back up. I managed three sentences before he spoke again and I frowned as I refocused my attention onto him.

 

“What are the words to that song?” I let a frustrated sigh escape my lips, this again?

 

“Why are you so hung up on that?” I asked crossly.

 

“I'm bored and your voice is not unpleasant.” I made a disgusted sound.

 

“As amazingly delightful as your flattery is, I'm not in the mood for singing.” I replied acerbically.

 

“A tale then.” He persisted, what an aristocratic ass.

 

“There is absolutely no reason I can possible think of for me to be your one woman cabaret. I'm not here to entertain you, take a nap if you're bored.” My cross tone didn't phase him.

 

“You sing those songs and tell your tales to Rin every day for hours on end. It is obviously no hardship for you to perform this one task, and I am in need of a distraction.”

 

“Yes, but the difference here is I like Rin, and she's not here.” I returned to my journal furiously ignoring him, but he was relentless.

 

“If you wish to see her again you will sing.” I threw my journal and pencil to the ground as I jumped to my feet angrily.

 

“You're interpersonal communications skill suck buddy, threats get you left alone.” And with that I stomped into the dark forest. As I walked I listed descriptive adjectives that fit the subject of my rage, Pompous, pretentious, arrogant, snide, egotistical, supercilious, conceited, loathsome, abhorrent…The list continued for several minutes and my anger began to cool. The forest was pitch black and though the night was quite muggy I felt a chill run through me as I realized how exposed I was. Weaponless, alone in unknown woods in the middle of the night; recent history and LA street-sense tells me this is no good. With growing trepidation in my stomach I turned back to the campsite, my anger gone.

 

The walk took longer than I remembered and by the time I approached the glow that depicted the campfire I had been gone over two hours. My feelings of consternation only increased as I approached the camp and I heard an unfamiliar voice, and the even lower murmur of Sesshomaru's bored responses.

 

“It is my duty to vanquish you, yokai, tell me where you have hidden the woman and I will make it swift.”

 

“I may appear weak to you, ningen, but I have ample strength to kill you.” Sesshomaru responded. The scene revealed to me through the trees was of a very young monk brandishing a staff at Sesshomaru with one hand while shaking my now dry kimono at him with the other. The wounded yokai had raised his arm and his hand began to emanate an evil green light. Woman? This kid's gonna get himself killed for some stupid chivalrous impulse, and I'm gonna end up cleaning blood out of my kimono, again. Ignoring the pulling scabs on my wounds and the protesting muscles I drew myself up to my full height. Standing tall and straight, I stepped into the light.

 

“Monk, if your blood befouls my clothes I swear before you die I will rub salt into whatever wounds my companion inflicts upon you. If you flee now you may yet keep your life and be spared both our reprisals.” I kept my voice calm as I came to a stop between the monk and Sesshomaru's threatening appendage. The monk scrutinized me closely and I ignored the contemptuous snort from behind me.

 

The monk's eyes widened as he looked at me. “Lady you are obviously a Miko of great power yet this yokai has clearly ensnared you in some spell. I beg you fight his control enough to move so that I may kill him and free you so that you may return to your life.” The monk's pleading tone and ignorant words made me laugh. I tried to return to my life, that isn't gonna happen by killing Sesshomaru. From the stories I had heard from Takai I formed my response.

 

“Do you sense a spell on me monk? Do you sense this,” I waved a careless hand back in Sesshomaru's direction, “or any other yokai's touch on my aura?” A frown creased his forehead as I continued, “Your concern is appreciated, but misplaced; I follow this yokai willingly.”

 

“But he is a monster, he does not deserve your loyalty.” The boy replied confused.

 

“Loyalty?” I contemplated the word before discarding it for a better argument, “There are many different monsters in this world, and most of the worst ones I have encountered are human. He is better than any of those and at least his motives are logical and respectable.” I kept my voice soft and my expression blank in hopes that he would see reason beyond emotion.

 

“That may be, my lady, but I have a duty to destroy all evil I encounter and this creature's yokai is the darkest that I have ever come across. He deserves death.”

 

I sighed and allowed my shoulders to slump, I should resign myself; the little fool seems hell bent on dieing. I used my most authoritative professor's tone as I tried one last attempt, “You are very young, child. If you live much longer you will learn that evil is subjective and that the only ones who deserve to die are those actively trying to kill you, those you love or those you have sworn to protect. Though, if you refuse the wisdom of your elders, then I will not stop you from your suicide.” With those words I moved slowly out of Sesshomaru's way, but the monk spoke again.

 

“No please, if a Miko of your caliber believes he can yet kill me in his state, I would be a fool not to head you. Your words are wise and I will consider them, Miko-sama, I will leave this yokai to your shrewd judgment. Please both of you forgive my intrusion into a matter that I am not equipped to understand.” He handed me my kimono. “Please, before I leave. May I have the name of such a powerful and wise Miko that I may tell my master of you when I speak to him of this encounter?”

 

“I am O'Conghaile Donella, but when you speak of this encounter to your master, you should not mention my name, but that of the Inu-Daiyoukai Sesshomaru, who has spared your life.” I felt Sesshomaru's eyes on me then, but I didn't look from the monk's eager, wide-eyed face as he replied.

 

“Yes, of course, I thank you and I will be sure never to forget either of you names, O'Conghaile-sama, Sesshomaru-sama.” He bowed to each of us in turn before walking into the impenetrable night. After he had been gone for a few minutes I released a sigh of relief and let my ramrod posture relax, I felt blood running down my arm and knew that a wound on my shoulder blade had been torn open.

 

I went to my pack and placing my kimono safely inside I pulled my make shift bandages and medicine bag out. Turning my back to Sesshomaru I gingerly removed my shirt and began the struggle to dress and rewrap my wound single-handedly. “Why do you feel the need to intervene where you are not needed?” Sesshomaru's voice was deathly calm.

 

Why so pissy, my beautiful and petty fiend? “I didn't want to rewash my pretty kimono, and that brat would have bled all over it. I'm sorry if I thwarted your entertainment.” A snort of laughter caused me to jump.

 

“It would have been a complete waste of my energies to kill him.” I worked my shirt back on and turned to face him. The look of puzzled consideration he wore made me nervous, but I tried to ignore him completely as I lay down on the hard ground, pillowed my head with my backpack and shut my eyes. The terror of the night before, my wounds and worry over the others had made me exhausted, but my mind was too keyed up to sleep. Carefully, to avoid exacerbating my wounds, I turned onto my back and stared up into the moonless sky. Counting stars isn't a good as warm milk, or benzodiazepine for getting you to sleep, but since milk in the feudal era is a sketchy thing and sleep aids were still five hundred years in the making, it was my only option. One, two, three…I made it to five hundred and thirty eight before he interrupted me.

 

“Sing something.” Like a pit bull with a bone, he's gonna gnaw this one till it's nothing but splinters.

 

“You were one of those children that poked dead things with sticks just to see if they'd eventually get up and do something, weren't you?” My words dripped with sarcasm as I glared at him in from across the glowing coals of the fire.

 

“Sing.” He repeated in his cold commanding tone.

 

I ignored his demand and asked a more pertinent question, “Will you be able to move tomorrow?” I asked cautiously.

 

“I have sufficient energy to walk a few miles now, however being stationary quickens the process and it will take approximately four days of rest for me to regain enough to transport both of us any great distance.” I wanted to point out to him is earlier threat to leave me behind if I didn't sing for him, but I let it go for less petty concerns.

 

“We should leave here as soon as possible then. I managed to cow that young monk, but there is no reassurance that his master won't lead a larger group back here to try and finish you off, and I doubt I can persuade a hell bent old man and his devoted followers to listen to reason.” The glow for the dieing embers had receded enough that I could only make out his vaguely human shape in the darkness. I wonder how much better his night vision is than mine? Can he see me blink, or smile on this moonless night? Could he lead us safely through the woods to a better hiding place?

 

“You say try, though you think me too weak to walk you do not believe that a group of ningen monks could eliminate me?” How do I answer that? I thought about it. Even though he hadn't moved from that spot all day a serious aura of danger still radiated from him. My instincts had served me well since I had arrived, and though I didn't know how to use my Miko power I was certain that's where this intuitive knowledge came from. It's the same way I knew that monk had little to no power compared to my own, I just know.

 

“I believe, that if you wished, you could kill me right now without leaving that spot.” My answer was mater-of-fact and I put every ounce of honest conviction I felt into it.

 

“You are wiser than you appear, ningen.” The left-handed compliment was delivered in is usual icy tone, but there seemed to be an inflection of humor at the end. It maybe a just trick of the night, but it was still a compliment.

 

“Fine, then we should leave and find a safer place for you to recover as soon as it is light enough to travel. Hopefully these monks aren't early risers.” I remarked grimly.

 

“You wish to save their lives.”

 

Again my sarcasm won out over my prudence, “Well yes captain obvious, I would like to avoid as much needless bloodshed as possible. Especially since I'm sure there are many truly despicable yokai around here that really do need killing. Those monks serve a purpose and should, if possible, be left alive.”

 

“You do not believe me to be despicable.” I rolled over, putting my back to him, in response to the obvious question. What the hell does he want me to say to that? What a freak. He remained silent, and after a time I quietly began to sing `Beauty and the Beast', before finally drifting off to sleep.

Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong
Certain as the sun
Rising in the east
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast

 

Authors Notes: To everyone I'm sorry this took so long, I've been fighting sickness, finals, losing my job and the holidays to get this out and I just want to thank you for your patience. As it is I think my other stories are on a back burner for now, my time is at a premium. :'(

 

Wandering Hitokiri: We will be seeing a lot of Naraku's incarnation because all good stories need a bad guy, but I'm still iffy on actually getting the big guy involved.

 

Tootsiepop254: You are wonderful as always, thanks for listening to me bitch, and Gilmore Girls Evil. You truly are and Evil Genius forevery to be known as the arch enemy of Study Girl. ;) Keep it up. :D

 

Arya:Thank you so much for the compliment I hope you continue to enjoy reading this.

 

InuDstories and Arvael: Thank you so much for the encouragement. *blush*

 

Feathergriffin:Stay tuned for Chapter 8; we will see a short cameo of the Inuyasha gang as we go looking for Rin and the others. ^^

 

Black Angel of Envy: Wow, Thank you so much for the amazing compliment and the grammar check I really appreciate it. I haven't had time to edit past chapters, but I think I fixed the problem in this one. Thanks for the eagle eye and please feel free to point out any more grammar errors, it really helps me.