InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Telling ❯ The Springs ( Chapter 9 )

“Hn.” He said to himself. “Perhaps now is finally the time?”

 

He had been following Inuyasha's pack for three days now, waiting for a moment in which to catch the miko while she was alone. But the ignorant hanyou had thwarted his amorous ambitions by setting an unbelievably strenuous pace for the group. He had forced them to travel long distances nonstop, save for a brief midday meal and then to make camp at night. Each day they had journeyed further into the night and by the time they had been allowed to cease walking it took all of their effort to stay awake to merely consume a small meal. After dinner it seemed that all they could do was fall into a fitful slumber. Sesshomaru was amazed to find that apparently Inuyasha's ignorance knew no bounds.

 

Did he not realize that his companions were mere humans and that they would not be able to keep up with the pace that he was setting? The miko was obviously fatigued. The taiyoukai could see it in the way that she slumped her shoulders while trudging ahead, no longer carrying herself with her usual confident baring. On the third day, when he noticed the was she tenderly set each foot upon the ground with each step, he began to consider taking action. Something would certainly have to be done about the situation, not only because he desired to get the miko unaccompanied, but also because his idiot brother was going to drive his pack to exhaustion. Half-breed or not, their was no conceivable reason to treat your pack in such a manner without provocation.

 

This lead to another troubling issue. What had caused such a drastic change in Inuyasha? The behavior the hanyou was exhibiting perplexed the Lord, and he found that he did not enjoy the feeling. Why was this pack being forced on such a harsh march? And why was Inuyasha not carrying the miko? Although Sesshomaru would have loathed the sight of such an action, he knew that the hanyou typically did just that when trying to make time. But not only was Inuyasha not transporting the girl, he appeared by all intents and purposes to be dutifully ignoring her; not just her physical plights, but the girl herself. On the occasions where he had previously encountered the pair, they had seemed inseparable. Now their was a discernable and curious air of detachment between them. Sesshomaru was at a loss.

 

When last he was with them in the clearing, the girl had been clutching at the half-breed's back. There had certainly been no emotional distance between them at that time. Prior to that, when his brother had kissed the girl, she had seemed not only to respond, but also to take pleasure in it. He visibly shuddered at the thought. So what had occurred once he had parted from their company? He had been absent only briefly, leaving to inform Jaken that he would be away for the next few days, threaten his life should anything happen to the taiyoukai's human ward, and give the toad a swift kick when he had impudently questioned his Lord's motives. Had his conclusion been erroneous? Once the two were alone had the miko rebuffed the hanyou's advances? He found the notion pleased him. Why had Inuyasha so drastically changed his behavior towards the girl?

 

Something was definitely going to have to be done. The way things were progressing, Sesshomaru would never get the miko alone or find out what was going on. Without the group taking breaks, it would be impossible for her to get away from their company for even the slightest moment. And he could not get any nearer to them; his brother would scent him, or the miko would sense him, of that he was certain. Add to that the fact that Inuyasha seemed to be keeping constant watch over them during the nights, and Sesshomaru was left merely following at a distance.

 

He found himself pleasantly surprised when on the third day Inuyasha's pack finally seemed to mutiny. Before the sun had even begun to set, the group stopped following the hanyou, walked off the path, and began to set up camp. The look on the half-breed's face when he had realized that he had finally pushed them to their limit had been invaluable. Though he tried to force if back, Sesshomaru could not help but to snicker at the sight.

 

The taiyoukai had already sensed the hot springs that lay nearby, and he knew without a shadow of a doubt that the little human woman would be drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Although most humans in his time were content to bathe irregularly, if that, this miko seemed to enjoy nothing more than a good soak. This was evident in the fact that he had never encountered her while she smelled of dirt, sweat, or any of the other things that humans typically reeked of. No, she always exuded the pleasant aroma of flowers. Her penchant for being clean was something that Sesshomaru held in high esteem.

 

As he watched her gather together clean clothes and an odd assortment of bottles, he smiled at the fact that he already knew this woman so well.

 

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Kagome was thrilled. A bath! After three long days, she was finally going to get to take a bath. Honestly, she couldn't think of another thing that she wanted more. She was dirty and sweaty, and she was pretty certain that she smelled less than pleasant, not that any of her friends would say something, or for that matter be able to notice over their own odors. What was up with Inuyasha anyway? Why was he making them practically run all day? She couldn't sense any jewel shards nearby, so what was the point? And why did it seem like he didn't want to be around her anymore? Was he upset that he had kissed her? Maybe he felt like he had betrayed Kikyou by doing so? Not that she'd find out anytime soon since not only did he not want to be around her, but he also wasn't speaking to her. In fact, telling her the direction of the hot spring was the first time he'd seemed to notice she was there since they'd kissed. She really wanted to be angry at him, or disappointed that perhaps he still favored Kikyou, but she found that she just couldn't muster the energy to do so. All she wanted was to get clean, relax her sore muscles, and forget all about Inuyasha for awhile.

 

Hearing the sounds of water nearby, she gave a happy little yelp and began to walk a little faster with a bounce in her step that she hadn't had for the past three days.

 

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Ahhh. How he loved hot springs. Thank the Kami for hot springs. His only complaint was that maybe there should be more of them. Yes, he certainly enjoyed hot springs more than anyone he knew, even Kagome.

 

Which brought his focus back to why he loved the springs so much in the first place. The lovely Kagome was going to bathe, and what man in his right mind would miss such an opportunity? Well, not him, that was for sure.

 

Miroku was proud of himself. Once again he had been able to get away from the group while one of his beautiful companions went to bathe, and no one suspected a thing. And, he hadn't exactly lied when he had informed Sango that he was going to meditate. He was positive that he would be doing a lot of meditating on Kagome's pale skin, raven locks, and anything else that the gods decided to bless him with a view of. Following the sounds of water, he was only slightly perturbed to find that he had missed the opening act and that Kagome was already unclothed and in the spring. Concealing himself behind a copse of trees far enough away that she wouldn't sense his aura, he consoled himself with the fact that begging hentai monks couldn't be choosers and, after all, he was bound to catch a glimpse of something sooner or later.

 

After three days of turmoil, this was exactly the respite he needed.

 

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He had been correct, the miko had left her group to go to the spring. It was the opportunity that he had been waiting for, and yet for a moment, he was at a loss as to how to approach the situation. Thinking back to the last time that he had seen her bathing, and the feelings she had caused him, he decided that now was an excellent time to get some sweet retribution. Leaving his armor behind, he tracked her to her destination.

 

Approaching the clearing, he observed that the girl was already unclothed and soaking in the water. She was sitting against a boulder on the far side of the pool with her head tipped back and eyes closed. The silly girl had not even noticed his impending aura. He would be disappointed in her if he had not known exactly how tired she must be after being pushed so ruthlessly for the past three days. He supposed that this was better though; there would be no chance for her to escape.

 

Quietly and confidently, he strode to the edge of the water and began to remove his kimono. Only as the fabric rustled as it hit the forest floor did the girl realize that he was there. Quickly opening her eyes, she let out a startled shriek.

 

“Sesshomaru?” She asked, glancing nervously at the tall form of the taiyoukai. “What are you doing here?”

 

Gesturing at his partial nudity he blandly replied “I am at a hot spring and I am undressing. I would think that my intentions would be obvious even to you, little miko.”

 

Only when he himself pointed out the fact that he was shirtless did the girl seem to notice his state of undress. Blushing heavily she stared hard at his chest. Catching herself blatantly staring, she blushed even harder and averted her gaze with a jerk of her head. Sesshomaru inwardly grinned. Yes, this miko already appreciated his person.

 

Finding herself frustrated at the fact that her soak had been cut so short she nonetheless told the taiyoukai, “Well, if you'll just turn around then, I'll get out and let you have at it.” After all, having survived three days of hell already, she had no wish to die tonight.

 

Sesshomaru audibly snorted. “I will do no such thing miko. It is obvious that you have not completed bathing, and this hot spring is not on my lands, thus it does not belong to me. You were, by all accounts, here first, so you will remain until you finish.”

 

“What?” Her brain screamed at her. “Does he mean what I think he means?”

 

Catching the girl's disbelieving and slightly indignant look, Sesshomaru stated, “Unless you wish to leave now, in which case I suggest that you remove yourself from the water and get dressed.” Here he gestured to the small pile of her towels and clothes on his right. “Should you reconsider, this Sesshomaru gives you his word that he will not harm you should you decide to stay.” With that he began to untie his hakama.

 

“He can NOT be serious!” Kagome thought. Looking up at Sesshomaru, and seeing him begin to remove his pants, she gave another startled “Eep!” and quickly turned her back on him. She knew she couldn't leave, there was no way she was going to casually exit the water and saunter over to her clothes with him right there! She just didn't have it in her. “Maybe it won't be so bad?” Her brain hopefully suggested. “After all, he's already seen you naked and he said he wasn't interested. Besides, he gave you his word that you would come to no harm. AND, you can't deny how much you really want to get clean.”

 

“OK, ok I get it,” she told her stupid brain. “All I have to do is stay here in the water, where he can't see anything, and wait until he decides to leave. But please, don't remind me about the last time that I saw him alright?” She couldn't help but to blush at the memory.

 

“That's the spirit! Besides, we already agreed that he's really good-looking, so spending a little time with him while he's naked shouldn't be too hard, right?” Her brain said happily.

 

“Great, I AM turning into a hentai.” Kagome thought dismally.

 

Sesshomaru was pleased with the way she had blushed and turned her back on him. She was nervous, and it was endearing. He was also quite delighted with the fact that she seemed to be staying in the water. Although it had been unlikely that she would come out of the pool while undressed and leave, he had to admit that the miko had surprised him before, and he would have been very disappointed if she had chosen this moment as another of those unexpected instances..

 

Completing his task of undressing, he stepped into the warm water with an uncharacteristic smile on his face.

 

He approached the woman who was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't even hear him come closer her and lean in behind her.

 

Kagome jumped as warm breath tickled her ear and a low baritone voice stated “You may turn around now little miko.” As her feet landed on the slippery bottom of the pool, she lost her balance and began to fall backwards. Closing her eyes, she was sure that she was going head-first under water.

 

A strong arm looped around her bare waist and stopped her before her head even grazed the surface. Opening her blue eyes, she looked straight into narrowed amber ones.

 

“Woman,” Sesshomaru chastised. “This Sesshomaru gave you his word that no harm would come to you while he was here. Do attempt to not test me on this oath, and try your utmost to refrain from injuring yourself.”

 

He continued to grasp her middle as he sat her back down at her previously occupied position against the boulder.

 

Kagome couldn't think, could hardly breathe. All she could focus on was the strong arm that was still holding onto her waist even though they were both now safely seated.

 

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Miroku wanted to scream to Kagome to watch out, but was worried that would only lead to both their deaths. Sesshomaru had seemingly appeared out of nowhere and now he was staring at a very vulnerable Kagome, who apparently hadn't even sensed his approach. This didn't shock the monk as he hadn't sensed it either, but then again, he was further away, and the demon hadn't seemed to notice his presence either. He would wait and make sure that Kagome was alright and then run back to camp and inform Inuyasha that she needed help.

 

He lost track of his thoughts as Sesshomaru removed his kimono.

 

“Wait. What?” Miroku was at a serious loss here. What was the taiyoukai doing? Was he going to try to take Kagome by force? Surely not! He hated humans right? But maybe even the demon lord was not immune to the miko's considerable assets. No, he was not making any movements toward her, so apparently rape was not on his mind.

Miroku heard Kagome's startled yelp when she noticed the extra presence at the spring. And now they were talking. What were they saying? He was too far away to hear them. I f only he could get closer! But no, that would certainly result in his death. Perhaps Sesshomaru had no qualms about a human girl seeing him in his current state of undress, but the houshi was certain that the prying eyes of a hentai monk would not be so welcome.

 

He saw her turn her back as Sesshomaru undid the ties on his hakama, and he hastily followed suit. Seeing a naked demon lord was not on his “to do” list for tonight; or ever. Having his back turned put him at an obvious disadvantage, but he would be able to hear Kagome if she screamed, and then he would come running, crazy naked demon or not. But what was this all about? Was Inuyasha's brother, the demon who hated all of humanity, really planning on bathing with a human woman? Surely not! And why would he do that anyway?

 

Hearing another startled yelp from his friend, Miroku quickly turned back around. He decided that he must have temporarily gone insane however at the sight that was presented to him.

 

Sesshomaru was cradling the miko! And even as his eyes widened in shock, he watched as the taiyoukai settled her down safely in the same place that she had previously vacated. He watched as they settled in the warm water and began to relax. No longer denying what he saw, he watched as Sesshomaru did not remove his arm from around the naked miko's midsection.

 

What was going on here?