InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The difference of Martrys and murderers ❯ Journey, destination unknown ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 5

AN: My comp is on the fritz again, and I have a helluva a lot of things to do this holiday season. So sorry if I won't be posting regularly. I know I said this chapter would be spicy but unfortunately these two (points at Kag and Sess) are NOT cooperating. Anyway, that's okay. Got to take it so slow if it's going to work, right? Anyway enjoy, cuz this is going to have to last you all month. Again, I'm very sorry. I do have a life ya know!

Thank you Lady Red! I wish you a very happy holiday!

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The battleground was bleak. As far as the eye could see, a valley of death and destruction stretched beyond the borders. The stench of decay and spilt blood no longer was an oratory offense but rather became a putrid haze. A black cloud of flies made the air hum monotonously. Among the strewn body parts and broken amour, the glint of metal could be caught. The gleam of a bloodied sword was the only evidence of courage wasted.

This was the place she woke up to. Not physically, her body was too weak to bring her back to consciousness. These were visions the blood brought to her.

In this sorrowful place, Kagome could do nothing but bear witness to the insanity. She shifted away trying to find some sign of life. Nothing stirred except the carrion insects. Walking in the ankle deep puddles of gore and mud, Kagome was looking hopelessly for something she couldn't find. A nameless need.

Slow walking soon turned into a hasty jog. Even the rush of wind past her ears was not enough, her legs pumped faster into a sprint. Every where the bodies lay lifeless. In the dim light that was neither dawn nor dusk set everything ablaze in a penumbra reddish hue. Where light did not touch boundless shadows and darkness lurked. Kagome couldn't seem to get anywhere with out tripping on a fallen limb.

Hasty choked breaths burned her throat. The air was clinging as well as suffocating. She tried to wave the air away but that was no use. Covering her mouth and nose did little to ease her discomfort. She raced on searching, searching… searching.

She heard something. She stopped to listen.

A soft whimper.

Frantically all her instincts told her to go toward the source of the noise. She ran, her heart pounding with new adrenaline. No matter how hard she pushed her body, no closer she came to the sound.

Small child-like sniffles echoed in the dark landscape.

"Where are you!" She shouted into the empty abyss.

Still the heart-wrenching whine continued. The sound… a pained, long tiring moan. A cry so bereaved of comfort and of total helplessness. It was the resonance of someone slowly dying. Torturous to listen to and not help the crying soul.

"Please where are you? I'm here to help! Tell me where you are so I can come for you!" Kagome cried. Tears were streaming down her face. The longer she listened the more she could feel this child's pain.

She felt the cold breath on her face before she felt the hand tighten around her throat. Utterly bewildered she saw a shadowed face, talking to her…

"That is enough!"

Her surroundings cleared and she was in a bright sunny field beneath a towering tree. Her eyes focused on a pair of glowing golden orbs. Her eyes trailed down the neck to the shoulder, down the arm and to the hand currently pining her up to the rough bark of the tree.

She looked around trying to be sure this was reality. Birds chirped in the distance. A cloud drifted in the way of the sun and moved away a few seconds later. Kagome's cheeks were cold from her torrent of tears. It took only a second to realize what had happen. She got caught up in his blood song. Strangely enough, she could barely remember the vision. Only flashes of images in the recess of her mind.

She refused to look at the Taiyoukai. The pain and terror lingered despite the rapidly receding memory. The emotions were too raw for her and looking at him renewed the feeling.

Slowly he removed his hand. In the distance Kagome could see Ah-Un and Rin waiting patiently for them. He made a move to go back, but even as she tried to follow her knees gave out.

"Get up." He said each word with high emphasize to carry out the meaning that he had enough of her antics.

Kagome struggled to stand but she had no strength. Roughly she was forced up. He held her to his side as he half dragged and half hauled her to their waiting troupe. For a second she thought he was going to seat her on the two-headed mount but instead he kept her to his side as they all took flight once more.

His anger clung to him like a shroud. His grip on her waist was punishably tight. Against better judgment her heart conjured up the remembered feeling of Inuyasha holding her like that a few times. A low disgruntle rumble in his chest was the first warning before she felt the pressure of his hand tighten. She winced as she had to momentary adjusted to breathing less amount of air. She looked up at him but his face was directed forward and there was a grim determination to his lips.

She glanced to Tensaiga at his waist and came to the unhappy insight that he was indeed in tuned to her mindset. To what extent she didn't know. New despair and unease welled up in her. After a long anguish filled ride they landed a few hours later. He let go of her before his feet even touched the dirt. Kagome nearly landed face first on the hard ground but she righted herself in time.

She stumbled after him. Rin slid off Ah-Un with ease. Immediately she ran to Kagome's side, latching onto the older girl's hand with worry in her eyes.

"Are you alright Kagome-san?"

"Yes, I am fine." Kagome gave the other a gentle squeeze for reassurance.

"We will continue on foot." Sesshoumaru said not glancing at them as he continued on. The two girls nodded and fell instep 10 paces back. Kagome popped open the lavender paper and bamboo umbrella. It looked to be a hot day.

In the front Jaken was talking hastily to Sesshoumaru who in turn didn't really acknowledge the retainer. Whatever was being said was kept mysteriously hush-hush from the girls. No matter how hard she trained her ears, Kagome could not make anything out.

"Are you sure you're alright Kagome-san?" Rin asked once more.

"Yeah," Kagome turned her full attention to the little girl. Rin lifted one eyebrow and gave the other a steady measure to see for certain. "Why do you keep asking?"

Rin shrugged. "It's nothing."

"Come on Rin, you can tell me." Kagome said, being sure to add a pleading note to her voice.

Rin gave her another look and complied, "You started crying. A lot. When you didn't stop Sesshoumaru-sama got real upset." Rin looked at her feet as they walked. Too intimidated to look at the older girl in the eye. "Then you stated speaking in a different language and that's when Sesshoumaru took you away. Kagome-san, are you sure you're all right? You sounded like you were in lots of pain."

Kagome took a moment to think. She needed to reassure Rin of course, but how? She also wanted to ask a few things but figured it best to discuss it later. Away from the other two youkai.

"Master Sesshoumaru's blood is like Sake. Drink too much and you get kind of loopy, ne?" Kagome reasoned with in herself as well as the little girl.

"Ew! How come you drank his blood?" Rin made a gross face. Kagome could not say how much she related to its yuckiness.

"I think that's the only way Sesshoumaru-sama knows how to help me." Kagome replied offhandedly.

"Help you with what, Kagome-san?" Rin asked curiously.

"Um… You see I get… woozy." Kagome felt really uncomfortable about discussing this. She gave herself a mental shake. She had to be strong and being uncomfortable wasn't allowed. All discomforts were to be pushed to the back of her mind. She had to focus on surviving at the moment. To re-center her concentration Kagome remembered her policy to start all her relationships with honesty, that way she would never have to second-guess herself. She would begin with Rin. "When Kikyou was brought back into this realm, a part of me was extracted to sustain her. My soul and body yearns for it's missing piece. So as long as that piece is missing, I will continue to hurt." Once said, she laughed at herself. It wasn't so hard, being truthful that is. By saying it out loud it helped her consider her situation more seriously.

"If you get the piece back, what happens to Kikyou?" Rin asked out of intrigue.

"She'll die." Kagome was once more sober. The two said nothing more as they followed after their lord.

Jaken gave the two girls a sour look, then curse them and their witchery upon his lord. Keeping females while on the prowl was both bad luck and dangerous. Didn't his liege lord know this? Of course! His mind shouted. He should remember all of his master decisions were his and he must a bid by them.

He went pale with the thought of doubting his liege lord. What treachery! He knew on all accounts his master prided Loyalty above all else. To second guess… Jaken felt uneasy. He did that very rarely and when he did he was consumed by guilt for his lack of faith. No, he must stand by his lord, regardless of his obsure plans. Although still young in youkai years, his master showed an incredible amount of wisdom. After all, wasn't it by Sesshoumaru-sama who single-handedly unified the domain when all hell broke loose when his liege's sire fell? Within a year no less!

Yes his master must have his reason to keep these weaklings. Oh how he wished to know his master's mind just a little! Torn between the desire to serve his master and the ever-increasing trepidation when it came to the new girl. Restless, he decided to leave the girl alone for the allotment. In time his master would let on what was planned. His only solace was his previous thoughts of undue mishaps.

On the other side of the coin, Jaken pondered, Perhaps this is what Sesshoumaru wants-- A challenge. Aside from the bastard half brother, no one has ever given his lord a worthy competition. But what challenge exactly did the girl pose? She was a lousy pathetically weak and useless human!

Behind them, the girl with the odd accent, cleared her throat. "Excuse me, Lord Sesshoumaru. May we rest awhile? This summer heat is not good for a kid." A very winded Rin nodded in agreement even though Sesshoumaru could not see her. Kagome glanced down at the little girl and worried about Rin's flushed face. Although Kagome wasn't suffering too much, she too longed for a rest. They had been walking for a very long time. In this time and age, they must have walked 10 ki; a rudimentary standard of more then a mile and just shy of a meter.

"We will not stop." Sesshoumaru's command was final. Kagome huffed with indignation and stopped. This in turn made the duo in front pause. The tension in the space between increased greatly. Jaken was aghast of her outright insolence! No one has ever disobeyed a direct order. Would his master finally realize what a great mistake she was and kill her for her bad manners? He waited with baited breath.

Kagome snorted in respite and got down on one knee. In a honeyed voice, she consoled the little girl. "Hop on my back sweetie." Rin looked happy and greatly relieved. Her feet were very tender from all the stones. Again Kagome cast a bitter glare at the Taiyoukai. How tactless, he didn't even bother to get the poor girl some decent sandals! Not even some tabi socks with the tough soles. In a later time she planned to bring that up. She saw Jaken's overly bright eyes and knew what it meant. She knew very well of their continued feud and his desperate wish for her death. We'll see about that ya little toad!

She bowed the best she could to Sesshoumaru with Rin on her back. "My apologies Milord. I hope I didn't offend you by stopping. As you have said, Rin's welfare is in my care. I am only fulfilling my duty to you Master Sesshoumaru." Again she bowed. Sesshoumaru could very well hear the underlying sarcasm but she did not openly place shame on him. As a lord he would not stoop to his brother's level and argue with the ningen about that insignificant infraction. There would be time enough when they reached their destination.

"Do not do that again." He warned. Inwardly he smiled as he saw the flicker in her eyes. Human's had no subtly what so ever. She might as well have said defiantly, Or what? That's how obvious. Just for that, he would increase their pace which had been subsequently been slowed for them. He would walk at comfortable pace for his kind. He turned and began again.

Kagome readjusted Rin on her back and shifted the parsol to her free hand. She started after them. So he decided to go faster? Kagome groaned at her predicament. She had to be more careful around him. Kagome cursed herself when she kept forgetting this was Sengoku Jidai. This era was a lot stricter not to mention deadlier. People here lived and served under the sword. How often did she take for granted her modern freedom? She had to bite the bullet on the fact that she wasn't equal with the opposite sex. In this time there was no sense of chivalry. Women here in this time were submissive to their lord or husband. It was this overbearing formality. To be always pleasant, apologetic and the 'men are always right' mentality. She rolled her eyes at the thought.

There was a voice in the back of her mind that tormented her. In time Inuyasha treated you as his equal. His friend and ally. That's more then what Sesshoumaru could ever offer- She closed her mind to the voice and the emotional riptide that came with it. She searched her mind to will away those thoughts. She concentrated on more pleasant things. Like her family.

Out of no where she heard a voice in long suppressed memories. Chin up Kagome, discipline is not to be spurn. Look forward to it with gladness. It teaches you to be strong! Kagome could hear her grandfather's wearied nugget of advice. She smiled despite herself. He used to say that whenever she had clean-up duty at the shrine. Or any duty she didn't want to do for that matter. Well gramps, Kagome thought, your right, I need to be strong and accept any or all forms of discipline. You didn't raise a weakling!

Rin was softly snoring at her shoulder. Kagome smiled and hoisted the girl into a better position. With renewed spirit she quickened her pace. She glared at Sesshoumaru's back. That's right you pompous ass, I'm not a weakling! You can break my body but not my spirit!

Sesshoumaru half turned to her. Kagome inwardly panicked. Did he hear my thoughts? Dear Kami of whatever that's holy in this place, please let that not be true! His eyes narrowed a fraction.

"You're lagging." He said harshly.

Kagome felt like fainting. That was too coincidental! Another thing to worry about in her doom existence. Did or didn't he have the power of telepathy? Damn him. Now I have to guard my thoughts. Is there no escape from him? Kagome took several long strides to catch up. There's only one way to find out, she thought.

In the loudest mental voice she could muster she began. THIS IS SONG THE NEVER ENDS, IT GOES ON AND ON MY FRIEND, SOME PEOPLE STARTING SINGING IT NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS, BUT THEY'LL CONTINUE SINGING IT BECAUSE THIS IS THE SONG THAT NEVER ENDS… She continued this mental babble for almost ten minutes until she was sick of the song. Every now and then glancing at her master to see any tiny signs of irritation. Heck she was wondering if the lack of any was an indication of annoyance. They were almost walking side by side. Well for him walking and her doing brisk strides.

"Will you stop that," He snapped.

Kagome's eyes widen, then it must be true-

"It's rude to stare. It's one thing for your ill manners as a ningen. It is quite another for this open display of speculation. You will cease this discourteous practice at once!"

Kagome eyes widen a little more. This must be the first time he actually got upset with her-openly that is. He even had the angry eyebrows to boot! Kagome immediately looked to the ground. "A thousand apologies master Sesshoumaru!"

"You only need one," His demeanor was once again back to normal. Meaning he was dispassionate and stoic to every thing around him. It was the little outburst never happen. Jaken was smirking at her. She glared back daggers.

Kagome, she told herself, you're getting paranoid. Sesshoumaru can't read minds. Kagome cautiously looked up at him for a split second, totally missing the importance of that gesture. Or could he…?

"Kagome?" Rin yawned. "May I please have some water?"

Kagome was glad the little kid didn't witness the drama. She put the umbrella down and reached into her obi for the flask. She handed it to Rin.

She drank and handed it back, "Thank you Kagome-san." She nuzzled back into a comfortable spot. "Kagome-san smells so nice." She mumbled. "Yes, very nice."

Kagome smiled at the compliment. Sesshoumaru paused to look down at her with a curious gaze. It was not at all friendly. He stopped abruptly. "Give her to me," he said at last.

Perplexed, Kagome did as she was told. She turned her back to him so he could take Rin. Rin was not at all pleased at being move around while she slept but cooperated. She settled into the nook of Sesshoumaru's shoulder, yawned once and was out. Kagome was slightly pleased to have her burden lighten; however it was this little scene that bothered her. Once Rin was settled with him a light bulb went off. Well I'll be… He got jealous! Of little ole me?

"How cute!"

Kagome slapped her hands over mouth, but it was too late! For a moment she thought, yep this is the end. Sesshoumaru and Jaken glared at her. Her mind frantically tried to cover her ass, "I meant, Rin, of course. She adores you so much. I'm sorry I didn't mean to speak out of term," Kagome did a proper bow.

To her great relief, Sesshoumaru was pleased with the comment. "From now on," the voice of self-preservation warned her harshly, "keep your trap shut. Next time you might annoy him into actually killing you. Well maybe not, but he could kill you in the agonizing way and bring you back, repeatedly." That one scared her to no end. Dying or being killed was part of life as much as breathing, this she learned from her very birth, but until you experienced it the whole affair was not at all pleasant.

They continued their journey. It took them uphill in the direction of the mountains. Calm fields turned into a rocky Cliffside. Those turned into treacherous trails along the cliff. At length, her calves and many of her thigh muscles were screaming in burning pain. One more step followed by another. Each steps a great accomplishment. Greater then the last it seemed. Her body screamed to stop but her pride didn't allow it. She wasn't going to lose face in front of him. Not when she came this far. Now that she was out in nature, the horrors of the cave resembled a dream. Yes, a fading nightmare. The beauty all around her helped to dispel her terror. She looked at the snow-capped mountain and the water colored clouds. For a brief moment, there was no pain. She looked at the majesty all around her and felt contented.

Kagome didn't feel anything when she collapsed. The parasol rolling out of her grasp.

When she came to it was late evening. Someone was pressing a porcelain flask to her lips. The sake burn on it's way down. The liquid immediately warmed her blood and gave her strength. She was propped up on something warm. It was like leaning on an upright waterbed. She opened her eyes to see her caregiver.

"Eeeei!" Kagome slapped Jaken away. Then realized too late her mistake. "I'm so sorry! I didn't know! I'm sorry!" she stammered with sincerity. All their quarrels forgotten as she helped to upright the small youkai. She went so far as to dust him off and fix his hat. Jaken slapped her hands away, embarrassed of her ministrations. He wasn't a child and he was quite used to being smacked around.

Sesshoumaru didn't miss the whole interaction. How curious he mused. Since their very first encounter, Jaken and Kagome had a strong dislike for each other. Yet here the girl was fawning over him now. Why was that? Rin was sitting in his lap and she was giggling uncontrollably at the pair's antics.

"Jaken-sama is so silly!" She laughed.

"I am not!" He squawked still fending off Kagome's hands.

As much as it bemused him, he called an end to it. "We will rest here tonight."

Kagome sat back feeling kind of out of place. As the other's seemed to know what to do and she didn't. With her clique they all had a procedure that each were accustomed to. Here it was different. Rin got up and readied her bathing supplies, Jaken rushed off to do - whatever he does- and Sesshoumaru leaned on a tree and gazed into the fire. What was she supposed to do? Kagome always knew her duties, but not tonight. She figured she'd do what she did at the fortress. She would set up the bedding and then take Rin for a quick bath. Then make some dinner for them.

A scaly muzzle nudged her in the ear. Kagome turned around surprised to have over look Ah-Un. She rarely got a chance be with this unique creature. She patted them both. Their eyes shined with intelligence much like Kirara's did. A spike of melancholy pierced through her heart. Oh how she missed her friends! As if sensing her sadness, a pair of tentative tongues licked her face. Kagome laughed easily at the affection. In turn she kissed their scaly snouts. She petted them gently.

Although it appeared that Sesshoumaru was staring into the flames he was in fact watching the miko very closely. He was touched at the surrealism. Even he felt a need for a poem to honor the moment. He looked to Rin who was digging through everything looking for her yakuta, a leisure kimono that's informal and comfortable to wear.

"Rin, say a poem for me." He requested. Kagome pulled away from the two-headed beast to listen.

Rin bowed and thought hard. And looked all around her and made up her prose. Her Sesshoumaru-sama was teaching her some aspects of etiquette and philosophy. One of her lessons included the use of poetry to enhance the Wa: harmony. She cleared her throat dramatically.

It seemed everything in the forest quieted at the poem. Rin's sweet voice rang loud and crystal clear. Sesshoumaru was pleased and granted her a small smile. "That was very good."

The night it must bewitch, Kagome thought. Even in her time, poetry and harmony were very important. It was all a part of their atheistic attitude toward life. It came as a little surprise that even Master Sesshoumaru also valued this time honored tradition. Meaning that he partook in this very human appreciation; this new knowledge warmed her heart. Again there was so much to learn.

After getting directions to the Hot Springs, the two girls left. Not long after their departure Jaken came scrambling into camp. "Milord! Wolves on the horizon! They seek the Miko!" Jaken practically yelled, frenzied.

"I know. Let them come." He replied. A cruel curve manipulated his lips. The serenity of before replaced with malevolent discontent.

To be continued…

Happy holiday's everyone. I will write to you again in the New Year! Peace love and fluffiness!