InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Hunter and the Prey ❯ A fourth ( Chapter 4 )

The Hunter and the Prey

Chapter 4: Hothouses, Confrontations and Awakenings

~Sesshoumaru's Castle later that night~

Kagome's POV:

Kagome sighed as she softly closed the door behind her, and then leaned against it wiping her brow. Who would have thought that one small girl could have so much energy? Rin had given her a whirlwind tour of the entire castle, and it was BIG. On top of that, they had played hide-and-seek and dolls. Kagome was, for all intents and purposes, exhausted. She could see why Sesshoumaru had left Rin mainly to the care of that imp- he might be ugly and annoying, but he was the only one who could keep up. Pushing away from the doorframe, she headed for the baths.

After stopping briefly in the small suite of rooms that Rin had pointed out as her own for fresh clothing, she made her way down to the floor level and the outdoor baths. From what she had seen from her wild tour, they were housed hot springs, and she couldn't wait to try them.

Picking her way across the grounds, she made it to the building and entered. After pausing to close the door behind securely, she turned, and then gasped. Not one, but 5 hot springs greeted her view. The building, which had been built back into the mountain rock behind it hosted a descending series of hot springs, the one at the very top overflowing at the lip to flow into the one beneath it. The entire series was screened in by vines with sweet smelling night blooming jasmine, and other flowering plants. Stairs had been carved into the rock itself, and the insides of the springs smoothed and shaped by magic. Kagome was in heaven.

A quick look, and scan with her powers, around made sure that she was alone. Leaving her dirty travel clothes in a pile near a hamper, she made her way up to the top pool, snagging a towel along the way. Testing it, she found it was too hot for even her tastes, so she settled to soak in the second from the top. The heat seeped into her pores, dampening her hair with sweat as it went to work on her tired, aching muscles. One wet hand lazily lifted to brush strands of her thick hair behind an ear as she thought about everything that happened; her running off, Inuyasha and Kikiyo, Sesshoumaru… ~Ug. Why does my life have to be so complicated? Things were so much simpler when Inuyasha and I were the good guys, and Naraku and Sesshoumaru were the bad guys.~ Closing her dark eyes, she slipped further down into the water, ignoring everything in favor of her train of though. ~Now, it's so complicated. Sure, Naraku is still the evil one, but Sesshoumaru? Who would've thought that he could be so gentle, especially with a human child? And me; it's not like I haven't changed either. Here I am, helping Inuyasha's older brother to steal his sword! Damn. I wish Sango were here. I miss her, and Shippou. Hell, I even miss Miroku!~

Deciding that she'd rather not look like a cooked prune, Kagome reluctantly got out of the soothing waters and wrapped the thick towel around her slim form. Promising herself another visit in the very near future, she set off down the stone steps to the bottom floor of the bath house, not noticing that someone had come in. Rolling her shoulders to relive some of the tension that had failed to dissipate in the waters, she stooped to pick up her fresh clothes that had been provided for her.

A clawed hand settling on her shoulder and a deep, velvet voice caused her to freeze in sudden shock. Especially when said hand became plural and started to lightly rub those sore shoulders.

"You look tense…"

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Sess POV:

His soft tread betrayed not a sound to any listeners as he slowly made his way through the castle. From the sound of it, Rin had finally gone to sleep for the night. Where on earth did she manage to get all that energy? Sesshoumaru sighed. That would probably be one mystery he would never solve. Oh well, with the household asleep, he would now be free to bathe in privacy. Being walked in upon was not fun, especially by curious little girls who never ran out of questions to ask. ~Though I wouldn't mind if were perhaps Kagome who did…~ That thought was enough to almost make him miss a step. Where had THAT come from, and when did that miko become Kagome?

~The minute you started thinking about her with more then just lust on your mind.~

Now he knew he needed to unwind…it was just not healthy to hear voices in ones head.

~Even if they are right, o Mighty Sesshoumaru?~

*Shut up.*

As if the wind knew object of his unease, it clearly brought to him the scent of the priestess. Looking around, he noted that she must have been by recently, perhaps on the tour Rin had done? No matter, she was probably long gone by now. He pushed away the feeling of loss that thought brought him. ~Ahhh…sanctuary at last.~ Softly opening the doors, a humid breeze scented of jasmine blew by him until he closed the doors once more, letting the humid air wrap around him. ~Jasmine flowers and…sakura? There isn't any of that…here…Oh Kami…~ Amber eyes fell upon the slender body of Kagome as she made her way down the stone steps, wearing only the flimsy towel. He couldn't help but stare at her slim, but nicely endowed frame. Shaking his head with a light growl, he ducked to one side, neatly hidden behind a tall potted plant. Feeling almost, but not quite, bad having caught her in such straights he continued to watch her as she walked to a pile of neatly folded clothing.

Hard won self control just about scattered to the 4 winds, the youkai lord stepped out of hiding, approaching her from behind on silent feet. Wincing, she rolled her shoulders to try to relieve some stress as she bent down to retrieve her clothes. Almost unbidden, his clawed hand stole out, just to feel what that marvelous skin felt like…like silk…so soft, warm…

"You look tense…"

((AN: I could end it here just so a new chapter would be up…but…nah ^^ That would be too cruel, right?))

End POV:

Kagome jumped, almost scared out of her wits when that deep, velvet voice nearly purred in her ear. But, his ministration on her poor aching muscles was so nice… ~Wake UP, Kagome! Powerful Youkai Lord, near naked girl?? Nuh uh, that is so not going to happen here. Gotta get him to his senses, shit!~

One arm securely held her towel; the other grasped her clothes to her chest. She turned around so that she was facing Sesshoumaru, thus breaking his contact with her skin. Slightly glazed amber eyes watched her as she paced back a few steps. ~Damn, where's a subduing spell when you need one?~ "Um, Sesshoumaru, I was just leaving, yeah, and, um…the hot springs are all yours now, so enjoy!" This was all delivered at a rather high-pitched fast squeak as she scooted around his still form to the door.

Perhaps it was the sound of the door slamming close, or the breath of fresh night air, but Sesshoumaru suddenly shook himself out of his near trancelike state, blinking owlishly around. Never before had such an expression of bemusement crossed his visage before. He blinked a few more times, trying to remember what had happened, then mentally shrugged and stripped, heading for the top pool. The rest of the night he occupied himself trying to find out where the hidden Sakura blossoms were, because it was all he could smell. ~I don't remember having any planted here…?~

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~Three days later, in sight of castle~

"So what do you suggest we do to get inside his castle, Lady Sango? Judging from his past behavior, I doubt he will simply hand Kagome over for the sword."

"I don't know…he just may, Houshi-sama. He is a Lord, and a Dog Demon Lord at that. They try to be honorable, at least in things such as business deals. He said the sword for Kagome, it doesn't hurt to just negotiate first."

"Please, It's Miroku, my dear Sango, I feel we have been together long enough to dispense with formalities?"

Sango blushed slightly as he spoke, and then the blush slowly darkened to something more sinister. "H-hai, Miroku…"

THWACK

"Pervert!"

Unfortunately, or fortunately, Miroku was unable to defend himself, as he was currently now unconscious due to the hit on the head with Hiraikotsu. Shippou merely sighed, turning bright eyes on the castle that was in the distance. "Guys, I want Kagome back. I miss her…" A solitary tear trailed over his soft cheek. Sango leaned over and gathered him into her arms, softly whipping the tear away. He leaned into her embrace, but it just wasn't the same as Kagome's; in her arms, he always felt completely safe from any harm.

"We will get her, Shippou, don't worry. I promise we will get her back." She glanced down at the prone monk who was now showing signs of coming around. ~Damn, as hard as I hit him, he should have been lade out for a week! Oh well, always next time, I suppose.~ "Miroku? It's time to go now."

Groaning slightly, he lifted himself off the ground with the aid of his staff, it chiming slightly. One hand went to touch at the goose-egg now on the back of the skull, only to have him hiss and wince away. ~Remind me next time not to do that…~ He brushed off his robes swiftly, bending to retrieve the sword. Sango refused to have anything to do it, probably stemming from the last time she stole it. "All right then, shall we head on?"

From the trees above them, two figures watched silently as the small group headed off. The largest of the pair made some hand-gestures to wait for the signal, then to follow in. The smaller nodded its understanding, and shifted lightly on the branch. The larger gathered for a moment, and then leaped, landing straight in front of Miroku.