InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Time After Time ❯ A Dangerous Task ( Chapter 9 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: kanna37 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 03.12.2011 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.7K | Visits: 456 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 03.12.2011 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.7K | Visits: 456 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 9: A Dangerous Task
The next morning, the group was ready to move on, though slowly, as Inuyasha would need a bit more healing time. Koga had already left, not even waiting to say goodbye, because, as the losing male, he wouldn't be allowed.
While Kagome was still highly annoyed by the whole thing, she was at least grateful that the hard-headed wolf wouldn't be claiming her anymore, and in fact, hoped that he would now go on and honor his promise to Ayame. She knew damn good and well the wolf remembered that promise – he just hadn't wanted to keep it.
At any rate, Kagome was in a rather bad mood, and so was walking off to herself, ignoring Inuyasha, and everyone else. On top of that, she was still wondering how they were going to get the shard from the tree – and what it was capable of doing in defense of its shard.
That's what has me most worried, really, she thought. It might be just a tree, but with a shard of the jewel, there's no such thing as 'just'. I wonder... is this tree part of a forest, or just a small grove?
With that thought, she decided she needed to talk, so she moved forward towards Sesshoumaru, hoping he would deign to speak to her.
“Um, Sesshoumaru-sama?” she asked hesitantly. “Can I speak to you?”
He tilted his head in acquiescence after glancing at her.
“This tree we're heading for... do you have any idea what it's capable of?”
A brow shot into his bangs and he looked at her, truly looked at her. He had not expected such a question from a ningen, let alone a woman. “No, I do not, not for certain. Though I have heard that it is able to rip its roots from the ground and use them in a manner rather reminiscent of Naraku's tentacles.”
Kagome nodded, her expression twisted into a thoughtful frown. “Hm. And what about its location? Is it part of a forest, or just a small grove of trees?”
“Neither, miko – it stands on a hill, alone. There is nothing around it save for the stone that is so prevalent in these lands.”
She was surprised. “Alone, huh? Well... it's probably for the best that it's not surrounded by other trees anyway – at least this way we'll have a clear field of vision.”
He turned back to his perusal of the road before him. “Indeed. Tell me... what made you ask these questions, when even the half-breed did not think to do so?”
With a scowl, she said, “I'm not like Inuyasha, rushing in where angels fear to tread. I'd rather know what I'm heading for than run in wildly swinging a sword about.” She almost stumbled over her own feet at the quiet chuckle that came from the usually cold Lord, and she stared up at him in awe.
“As would I, miko, as would I.”
“Well... thank you for talking to me, Sesshoumaru-sama – I know you really don't like talking to humans, so I'm honored,” she said softly after clearing her throat.
He cast a sidelong glance at her. “You are less objectionable than most. This one did not mind speaking to you, and certainly not when intelligent questions were being asked.”
She blushed, then smiled, but didn't say anything more, letting herself lapse back into her thoughts as she considered his words.
Sugimi watched the interaction between his son and Kagome with narrowed eyes, wondering at the lack of disdain from Sesshoumaru. Sure, he'd said that he respected her, and said why – but it just didn't set well. The boy had always hated humans, and even more so after he'd married Izayoi. Yet, here he was, with a ningen ward that oddly resembled a very young Kagome, and treating Kagome herself better than he treated ninety-nine percent of youkai?
It made him wonder just what his son's interest in the miko really was – and if Sesshoumaru himself even knew the answer to that question.
In the end, though, it wouldn't matter. No matter who showed interest in her, he would chase them away, because he was not willing to step aside for anyone else – not even one of his sons.
In the meantime, however...
“What are you thinking about, Kagome?” he asked softly as he moved up to walk beside her under the interested eyes of the rest of the group.
She blinked, startled out of her thoughts when he spoke. “Oh, about the tree we're going to be facing. Trying to figure out the best way to beat it.”
“Hm. According to Sesshoumaru, you are our ticket to that, my dear. From what he said, the tree will not be able to withstand close proximity to your purity.”
Kagome thought about that for a few, then said, “Well, if I get close enough, I can purify the shard with an arrow... and that would probably make the tree throw the shard out to avoid being purified along with it.”
Sugimi sent her a doubtful look. “Are you certain, Kagome? The tree isn't truly a demonic tree. I don't know if a pure shard would be enough to purify the whole tree.”
Kagome looked down and considered that. She had to admit, after thinking about it, that he was probably right. If the tree wasn't demonic, though, just what was it?
“Uh... if the tree isn't demonic, then how is it dangerous? After all, a regular tree wouldn't react at all to a shard...?” she trailed off questioningly.
“The tree is a very rare type - a meat-eater. There have never been many of them, but they are not exactly like other plants, in that they have a limited awareness. That is why the shard can influence it.” He looked down at her, noting her horrified, though fascinated, expression. “From that look, I imagine they no longer exist in your time, am I correct?”
She nodded. “You sure are. Oh, there are a few meat-eating plants, though they are small, the Venus Fly-Trap, for one. But I've never heard of one as large as a tree before... I don't think it's known that something like that ever did exist.”
“That's very possible, seeing as how youkai and ningen alike have always destroyed each one as they've been found. The problem is that the seeds can lie dormant sometimes for centuries, and you won't even know they're there until the tree has grown large – they resemble nothing more than magnolia's until they are just at adulthood, when their true form takes shape. Then they look rather different.”
Kagome shuddered at that, rather grossed out, though the concept of a tree that disguised its appearance until maturity, when it could defend itself better, was really interesting. “So... how does it get prey?”
He cast her a surprised look, then shook his head with amusement. So curious... “They carry blossoms that have a tendency to cloud the mind because they smell so good. They use them to draw prey in, then they attack and poison whatever it is they've caught with stinging vines. Those same vines then slowly, over time, digest the meat.”
She had to admit, she was grossed out, though intrigued; she was going to see a type of tree that no one else in her time ever would, and she couldn't help but be interested. However... she was also very uneasy. If the things he was saying were accurate, and she was sure they were, then it was only going to be worse because of the presence of the shard.
“Just how much farther do we have to travel 'til we reach it?”
“I asked Sesshoumaru that same question last night – we will arrive tomorrow around mid-day in the vicinity of the tree.” He cocked a curious brow. “Why?”
“Because I think we need to sit down and everyone needs to be told about this tree. If what you've told me about its scent and things are true, you have to realize that with the shard, it's going to be worse – we could all end up getting overwhelmed and walking right into its tentacles,” she finished worriedly. “We've got to find a way to keep everyone away from it, yet still defeat it.”
Brow rising once more, he had to admit she was right. “Hm. Let me think about it – perhaps an idea will come to me as we walk. Try not to worry, Kagome – I will never let anything happen to you.”
She blushed deeply at the warm note in his voice, eyes slipping away to stare at the ground. He smiled as she said softly, “I'm not worried about me, I'm worried about everyone else.”
He couldn't say he was surprised – from everything he'd seen in the two weeks he'd been with the group, she was always that way, worrying about everyone but herself, no matter the situation.
Not that it mattered anymore, because now he was there to worry about her.
And he wouldn't let anything happen to her – ever.
---sSs---
Later that night, after dinner had been eaten and cleaned up from, Sugimi had all the adults gather round the fire and brought up the subject of what they would be facing the next day.
“Kagome and I were discussing this earlier, and trying to come up with ways to defeat the threat,” he said, after laying out what, exactly, it was that they would be dealing with. “I have to say, I am not sure what would be the best way to deal with this menace. It has been centuries since one of these trees has existed, and each one has been dealt with differently. And then, there is the fact that this one is enhanced by a shard of the jewel.”
Everyone was silent for a few, all thinking about what they had been told. After a few minutes had passed, Kagome spoke up.
“What about fire?” she asked, her eyes staring into the flames of the one they were all sitting before.
Both Sugimi and Sesshoumaru looked over at her, surprised once again that such a suggestion had come from her. Sesshoumaru was the first one to answer.
“From all that I have heard, a regular fire will not work. Fire is made even more unlikely as a weapon against it since this one has a shard.”
Kagome frowned as she thought about that, then said, “Well, even if it won't take care of the problem entirely, it should make things easier. I mean, if we keep the fire coming, one of you, Sugimi, Sesshoumaru-sama, or Inuyasha, should be able to get in once I locate the shard and cut it out. At the very least, if we can burn off most of the tentacles and poison vines, it will keep the tree from being able to fight back.”
Sesshoumaru stared at her, simply unable to believe that a ningen onna, of all things, could know anything of strategy or battle. He just had to know... “Tell me, miko, how is it that you think of such things as battle and tactics?”
Everyone looked interested at that question, and Kagome blushed and laughed a little. “Well, in my time, information is easily attainable. My favorite is the history channel, and they have many shows about ancient battles and the military genuises behind them. I like to study up on things like that, funny enough,” she finished sheepishly.
All three Inu looked completely taken aback, and the older two were immediately captivated by the thought that this woman could draw on battle tactics from all over the world. She was a literal treasure trove, and Sesshoumaru especially was totally intrigued by that.
“This one would be most honored to discuss such things with you at some point, miko,” he said, a much warmer note in his voice than anyone there, his father included, had ever heard. That didn't set well with that same father, and Sugimi had to hold back a very large swell of anger towards his son. Kagome's voice cut him off before he could do anything he would regret.
“Sure,” she said shyly, smiling diffidently at the younger daiyoukai. “In fact, the next time I go home, I could bring back some things for you to read about different battles, and how they came out, if you'd like,” she offered.
He nodded, casting a quick glance at his father as he felt the swell of his youki and realized that the older inu was becoming more and more irate. He smirked inwardly at the realization that his father was jealous of he, Sesshoumaru, spending any time alone in her presence for any reason.
“That would be most agreeable,” he said.
Sugimi cleared his throat before Kagome could say anything else. “I, also, would enjoy such information, Kagome, if it would not be too much trouble.”
She smiled at him sweetly, and he smiled back, unable to help himself. “Sure, Sugimi. It's no trouble. But anyway,” she flicked a look at everyone else around the fire, “we should worry about all that later. First...”
They all took her meaning, and the discussion quickly returned to the fight they were heading towards and what they could do to win with the least amount of damage being taken by themselves. That went on for a good hour, before finally, Sugimi decided they'd made as many plans as they could without seeing the situation for themselves, and soon after, everyone bedded down, wanting to be well rested for the coming fight.
Once again, Sugimi himself took first watch, leaving Sesshoumaru to take second, and Inuyasha third, and within moments, the elder daiyoukai was gone from the camp, literally disappearing into the trees and dropping off the face of the earth... at least according to everyone's senses.
As he walked along under the trees, Sugimi considered his eldest son's reactions lately to Kagome. It seemed to him as if proximity was inducing a certain fascination in him for the dainty miko, and as much as he loved his son, he wasn't willing to give her up. It was, certainly, a bit surprising to him how fast his determination to have her had taken hold, and how fast his feelings for her were developing – though maybe it shouldn't have been.
In his lifetime, he'd known three mated couples, and two of those, he'd known before they were mated, so he'd gotten to watch what had happened as they'd met and fallen for each other. Both times, it had been fast. From what he understood, that was the way it worked when you met the person that was your soul mate – the person that was your other half.
For him, it was happening no differently than what he'd seen from those others – after all, he was youkai, and for him, instinct was something that he followed, even above reason for some things. This was one of those things. He knew what his instincts were telling him, what his heart was saying, and he didn't bother to second-guess that.
Unfortunately, since the woman he wanted to mate was human, it was different for her. Humans had, for many centuries, done everything they could to breed their instincts out of their entire race, and instead, depend solely on intellect, or reason. While reason was important, in many instances, this endeavor of humanity made them have a tendency to over-analyze certain things. Kagome was no different in this – while he could tell that she was just as attracted him as he was to her, she was fighting that knowledge.
She didn't trust it, or herself – and part of that was Inuyasha's fault, for sure.
With a sigh, he acknowledged that this might take a while. With Izayoi, things had been different, in that, while he had loved her, it was something that happened slowly over time, even for him. It wasn't the same as what he was feeling for Kagome. Izayoi had been comforting, and his relationship with her easy and soft. There had been no real passion – not like what he felt towards the young woman that had been the first thing he'd seen when he'd woken from his two hundred year sleep.
Kagome inspired totally different things in him than Izayoi had. He was finding himself extremely possessive – and with that, came an even more extreme aggressiveness. He was all too aware that if challenged over her, he could, and would, kill to keep her. He was already having a hard time controlling that side of himself – and it would only grow worse as time went on. That hadn't happened with Izayoi, nor with Sesshoumaru's mother – or the other woman he had loved, but lost. It still hurts to name her...
And that was another thing. Satori.
The woman was a menace. Despite the fact that their marriage had been for nothing more than an heir, she'd always been bitter that she would never be the Western Lady. It was just the way things worked – married to a Lord or not, the female didn't get the title of Cardinal Lady unless she was mated to the Lord in question. That was why most of the lands rarely had a Lady.
Not that he was still the Western Lord, however, he was still alpha, and if, no... not if, but when, he mated Kagome, she would become alpha as well – and Satori would really hate that. She had been default alpha female for centuries, since she was the heir's mother, and Sesshoumaru himself did not have a mate. However, now that he, himself was back, Sesshoumaru was no longer alpha – and Satori would soon lose any real status that she had.
This would probably bring out her worst side, not that she really had a good side, but she was bound to cause trouble at some point. While he didn't want to hurt his son, if the bitch upset Kagome in any way, he would kill her. It was the Inu way – you didn't mess with the alpha, and Satori was well aware of that, so if she pushed it, she would know the possible consequences.
Hopefully, she wouldn't cause any trouble after thinking about it.
One of the hardest things to deal with at this point, for him, was the lack of physical contact with Kagome. It was just too soon for her... because of that, he hadn't even kissed her, and that was killing him. He wanted to touch her, hold her... do so much more, but he couldn't – not yet. He had to wait, and this whole situation was forcing him to dig deep to find every bit of patience and control that he had.
How long he walked, circling the camp, lost in his thoughts, he'd never know, but suddenly, he tensed, stopping in his tracks and listening with every bit of his powerful hearing, as he caught a sort of buzzing sound coming from almost dead in front of him. Whatever it was, it was far too close for comfort to his pack, so he stepped silently through the trees, staying in the darkest parts of the shadows until he could see what he was after. The moment he caught sight of them, he knew what they was – saimyousho, the hell bees.
Servants of Naraku, according to both his sons.
With not a sound, his whip flashed out, flicking through the small swarm before any of them could even move, and within seconds, all were gone. He wasn't about to allow the spider to continue spying on his pack, and in fact, looked forward to him using the one known as Kanna to try – he'd break that mirror of hers and that would be that.
But for now, at least, the spies were dead, and he would continue on in his patrol until it was time to awaken Sesshoumaru.
Then he would rest.
Converting /tmp/phpoFb86j to /dev/stdout
The next morning, the group was ready to move on, though slowly, as Inuyasha would need a bit more healing time. Koga had already left, not even waiting to say goodbye, because, as the losing male, he wouldn't be allowed.
While Kagome was still highly annoyed by the whole thing, she was at least grateful that the hard-headed wolf wouldn't be claiming her anymore, and in fact, hoped that he would now go on and honor his promise to Ayame. She knew damn good and well the wolf remembered that promise – he just hadn't wanted to keep it.
At any rate, Kagome was in a rather bad mood, and so was walking off to herself, ignoring Inuyasha, and everyone else. On top of that, she was still wondering how they were going to get the shard from the tree – and what it was capable of doing in defense of its shard.
That's what has me most worried, really, she thought. It might be just a tree, but with a shard of the jewel, there's no such thing as 'just'. I wonder... is this tree part of a forest, or just a small grove?
With that thought, she decided she needed to talk, so she moved forward towards Sesshoumaru, hoping he would deign to speak to her.
“Um, Sesshoumaru-sama?” she asked hesitantly. “Can I speak to you?”
He tilted his head in acquiescence after glancing at her.
“This tree we're heading for... do you have any idea what it's capable of?”
A brow shot into his bangs and he looked at her, truly looked at her. He had not expected such a question from a ningen, let alone a woman. “No, I do not, not for certain. Though I have heard that it is able to rip its roots from the ground and use them in a manner rather reminiscent of Naraku's tentacles.”
Kagome nodded, her expression twisted into a thoughtful frown. “Hm. And what about its location? Is it part of a forest, or just a small grove of trees?”
“Neither, miko – it stands on a hill, alone. There is nothing around it save for the stone that is so prevalent in these lands.”
She was surprised. “Alone, huh? Well... it's probably for the best that it's not surrounded by other trees anyway – at least this way we'll have a clear field of vision.”
He turned back to his perusal of the road before him. “Indeed. Tell me... what made you ask these questions, when even the half-breed did not think to do so?”
With a scowl, she said, “I'm not like Inuyasha, rushing in where angels fear to tread. I'd rather know what I'm heading for than run in wildly swinging a sword about.” She almost stumbled over her own feet at the quiet chuckle that came from the usually cold Lord, and she stared up at him in awe.
“As would I, miko, as would I.”
“Well... thank you for talking to me, Sesshoumaru-sama – I know you really don't like talking to humans, so I'm honored,” she said softly after clearing her throat.
He cast a sidelong glance at her. “You are less objectionable than most. This one did not mind speaking to you, and certainly not when intelligent questions were being asked.”
She blushed, then smiled, but didn't say anything more, letting herself lapse back into her thoughts as she considered his words.
Sugimi watched the interaction between his son and Kagome with narrowed eyes, wondering at the lack of disdain from Sesshoumaru. Sure, he'd said that he respected her, and said why – but it just didn't set well. The boy had always hated humans, and even more so after he'd married Izayoi. Yet, here he was, with a ningen ward that oddly resembled a very young Kagome, and treating Kagome herself better than he treated ninety-nine percent of youkai?
It made him wonder just what his son's interest in the miko really was – and if Sesshoumaru himself even knew the answer to that question.
In the end, though, it wouldn't matter. No matter who showed interest in her, he would chase them away, because he was not willing to step aside for anyone else – not even one of his sons.
In the meantime, however...
“What are you thinking about, Kagome?” he asked softly as he moved up to walk beside her under the interested eyes of the rest of the group.
She blinked, startled out of her thoughts when he spoke. “Oh, about the tree we're going to be facing. Trying to figure out the best way to beat it.”
“Hm. According to Sesshoumaru, you are our ticket to that, my dear. From what he said, the tree will not be able to withstand close proximity to your purity.”
Kagome thought about that for a few, then said, “Well, if I get close enough, I can purify the shard with an arrow... and that would probably make the tree throw the shard out to avoid being purified along with it.”
Sugimi sent her a doubtful look. “Are you certain, Kagome? The tree isn't truly a demonic tree. I don't know if a pure shard would be enough to purify the whole tree.”
Kagome looked down and considered that. She had to admit, after thinking about it, that he was probably right. If the tree wasn't demonic, though, just what was it?
“Uh... if the tree isn't demonic, then how is it dangerous? After all, a regular tree wouldn't react at all to a shard...?” she trailed off questioningly.
“The tree is a very rare type - a meat-eater. There have never been many of them, but they are not exactly like other plants, in that they have a limited awareness. That is why the shard can influence it.” He looked down at her, noting her horrified, though fascinated, expression. “From that look, I imagine they no longer exist in your time, am I correct?”
She nodded. “You sure are. Oh, there are a few meat-eating plants, though they are small, the Venus Fly-Trap, for one. But I've never heard of one as large as a tree before... I don't think it's known that something like that ever did exist.”
“That's very possible, seeing as how youkai and ningen alike have always destroyed each one as they've been found. The problem is that the seeds can lie dormant sometimes for centuries, and you won't even know they're there until the tree has grown large – they resemble nothing more than magnolia's until they are just at adulthood, when their true form takes shape. Then they look rather different.”
Kagome shuddered at that, rather grossed out, though the concept of a tree that disguised its appearance until maturity, when it could defend itself better, was really interesting. “So... how does it get prey?”
He cast her a surprised look, then shook his head with amusement. So curious... “They carry blossoms that have a tendency to cloud the mind because they smell so good. They use them to draw prey in, then they attack and poison whatever it is they've caught with stinging vines. Those same vines then slowly, over time, digest the meat.”
She had to admit, she was grossed out, though intrigued; she was going to see a type of tree that no one else in her time ever would, and she couldn't help but be interested. However... she was also very uneasy. If the things he was saying were accurate, and she was sure they were, then it was only going to be worse because of the presence of the shard.
“Just how much farther do we have to travel 'til we reach it?”
“I asked Sesshoumaru that same question last night – we will arrive tomorrow around mid-day in the vicinity of the tree.” He cocked a curious brow. “Why?”
“Because I think we need to sit down and everyone needs to be told about this tree. If what you've told me about its scent and things are true, you have to realize that with the shard, it's going to be worse – we could all end up getting overwhelmed and walking right into its tentacles,” she finished worriedly. “We've got to find a way to keep everyone away from it, yet still defeat it.”
Brow rising once more, he had to admit she was right. “Hm. Let me think about it – perhaps an idea will come to me as we walk. Try not to worry, Kagome – I will never let anything happen to you.”
She blushed deeply at the warm note in his voice, eyes slipping away to stare at the ground. He smiled as she said softly, “I'm not worried about me, I'm worried about everyone else.”
He couldn't say he was surprised – from everything he'd seen in the two weeks he'd been with the group, she was always that way, worrying about everyone but herself, no matter the situation.
Not that it mattered anymore, because now he was there to worry about her.
And he wouldn't let anything happen to her – ever.
---sSs---
Later that night, after dinner had been eaten and cleaned up from, Sugimi had all the adults gather round the fire and brought up the subject of what they would be facing the next day.
“Kagome and I were discussing this earlier, and trying to come up with ways to defeat the threat,” he said, after laying out what, exactly, it was that they would be dealing with. “I have to say, I am not sure what would be the best way to deal with this menace. It has been centuries since one of these trees has existed, and each one has been dealt with differently. And then, there is the fact that this one is enhanced by a shard of the jewel.”
Everyone was silent for a few, all thinking about what they had been told. After a few minutes had passed, Kagome spoke up.
“What about fire?” she asked, her eyes staring into the flames of the one they were all sitting before.
Both Sugimi and Sesshoumaru looked over at her, surprised once again that such a suggestion had come from her. Sesshoumaru was the first one to answer.
“From all that I have heard, a regular fire will not work. Fire is made even more unlikely as a weapon against it since this one has a shard.”
Kagome frowned as she thought about that, then said, “Well, even if it won't take care of the problem entirely, it should make things easier. I mean, if we keep the fire coming, one of you, Sugimi, Sesshoumaru-sama, or Inuyasha, should be able to get in once I locate the shard and cut it out. At the very least, if we can burn off most of the tentacles and poison vines, it will keep the tree from being able to fight back.”
Sesshoumaru stared at her, simply unable to believe that a ningen onna, of all things, could know anything of strategy or battle. He just had to know... “Tell me, miko, how is it that you think of such things as battle and tactics?”
Everyone looked interested at that question, and Kagome blushed and laughed a little. “Well, in my time, information is easily attainable. My favorite is the history channel, and they have many shows about ancient battles and the military genuises behind them. I like to study up on things like that, funny enough,” she finished sheepishly.
All three Inu looked completely taken aback, and the older two were immediately captivated by the thought that this woman could draw on battle tactics from all over the world. She was a literal treasure trove, and Sesshoumaru especially was totally intrigued by that.
“This one would be most honored to discuss such things with you at some point, miko,” he said, a much warmer note in his voice than anyone there, his father included, had ever heard. That didn't set well with that same father, and Sugimi had to hold back a very large swell of anger towards his son. Kagome's voice cut him off before he could do anything he would regret.
“Sure,” she said shyly, smiling diffidently at the younger daiyoukai. “In fact, the next time I go home, I could bring back some things for you to read about different battles, and how they came out, if you'd like,” she offered.
He nodded, casting a quick glance at his father as he felt the swell of his youki and realized that the older inu was becoming more and more irate. He smirked inwardly at the realization that his father was jealous of he, Sesshoumaru, spending any time alone in her presence for any reason.
“That would be most agreeable,” he said.
Sugimi cleared his throat before Kagome could say anything else. “I, also, would enjoy such information, Kagome, if it would not be too much trouble.”
She smiled at him sweetly, and he smiled back, unable to help himself. “Sure, Sugimi. It's no trouble. But anyway,” she flicked a look at everyone else around the fire, “we should worry about all that later. First...”
They all took her meaning, and the discussion quickly returned to the fight they were heading towards and what they could do to win with the least amount of damage being taken by themselves. That went on for a good hour, before finally, Sugimi decided they'd made as many plans as they could without seeing the situation for themselves, and soon after, everyone bedded down, wanting to be well rested for the coming fight.
Once again, Sugimi himself took first watch, leaving Sesshoumaru to take second, and Inuyasha third, and within moments, the elder daiyoukai was gone from the camp, literally disappearing into the trees and dropping off the face of the earth... at least according to everyone's senses.
As he walked along under the trees, Sugimi considered his eldest son's reactions lately to Kagome. It seemed to him as if proximity was inducing a certain fascination in him for the dainty miko, and as much as he loved his son, he wasn't willing to give her up. It was, certainly, a bit surprising to him how fast his determination to have her had taken hold, and how fast his feelings for her were developing – though maybe it shouldn't have been.
In his lifetime, he'd known three mated couples, and two of those, he'd known before they were mated, so he'd gotten to watch what had happened as they'd met and fallen for each other. Both times, it had been fast. From what he understood, that was the way it worked when you met the person that was your soul mate – the person that was your other half.
For him, it was happening no differently than what he'd seen from those others – after all, he was youkai, and for him, instinct was something that he followed, even above reason for some things. This was one of those things. He knew what his instincts were telling him, what his heart was saying, and he didn't bother to second-guess that.
Unfortunately, since the woman he wanted to mate was human, it was different for her. Humans had, for many centuries, done everything they could to breed their instincts out of their entire race, and instead, depend solely on intellect, or reason. While reason was important, in many instances, this endeavor of humanity made them have a tendency to over-analyze certain things. Kagome was no different in this – while he could tell that she was just as attracted him as he was to her, she was fighting that knowledge.
She didn't trust it, or herself – and part of that was Inuyasha's fault, for sure.
With a sigh, he acknowledged that this might take a while. With Izayoi, things had been different, in that, while he had loved her, it was something that happened slowly over time, even for him. It wasn't the same as what he was feeling for Kagome. Izayoi had been comforting, and his relationship with her easy and soft. There had been no real passion – not like what he felt towards the young woman that had been the first thing he'd seen when he'd woken from his two hundred year sleep.
Kagome inspired totally different things in him than Izayoi had. He was finding himself extremely possessive – and with that, came an even more extreme aggressiveness. He was all too aware that if challenged over her, he could, and would, kill to keep her. He was already having a hard time controlling that side of himself – and it would only grow worse as time went on. That hadn't happened with Izayoi, nor with Sesshoumaru's mother – or the other woman he had loved, but lost. It still hurts to name her...
And that was another thing. Satori.
The woman was a menace. Despite the fact that their marriage had been for nothing more than an heir, she'd always been bitter that she would never be the Western Lady. It was just the way things worked – married to a Lord or not, the female didn't get the title of Cardinal Lady unless she was mated to the Lord in question. That was why most of the lands rarely had a Lady.
Not that he was still the Western Lord, however, he was still alpha, and if, no... not if, but when, he mated Kagome, she would become alpha as well – and Satori would really hate that. She had been default alpha female for centuries, since she was the heir's mother, and Sesshoumaru himself did not have a mate. However, now that he, himself was back, Sesshoumaru was no longer alpha – and Satori would soon lose any real status that she had.
This would probably bring out her worst side, not that she really had a good side, but she was bound to cause trouble at some point. While he didn't want to hurt his son, if the bitch upset Kagome in any way, he would kill her. It was the Inu way – you didn't mess with the alpha, and Satori was well aware of that, so if she pushed it, she would know the possible consequences.
Hopefully, she wouldn't cause any trouble after thinking about it.
One of the hardest things to deal with at this point, for him, was the lack of physical contact with Kagome. It was just too soon for her... because of that, he hadn't even kissed her, and that was killing him. He wanted to touch her, hold her... do so much more, but he couldn't – not yet. He had to wait, and this whole situation was forcing him to dig deep to find every bit of patience and control that he had.
How long he walked, circling the camp, lost in his thoughts, he'd never know, but suddenly, he tensed, stopping in his tracks and listening with every bit of his powerful hearing, as he caught a sort of buzzing sound coming from almost dead in front of him. Whatever it was, it was far too close for comfort to his pack, so he stepped silently through the trees, staying in the darkest parts of the shadows until he could see what he was after. The moment he caught sight of them, he knew what they was – saimyousho, the hell bees.
Servants of Naraku, according to both his sons.
With not a sound, his whip flashed out, flicking through the small swarm before any of them could even move, and within seconds, all were gone. He wasn't about to allow the spider to continue spying on his pack, and in fact, looked forward to him using the one known as Kanna to try – he'd break that mirror of hers and that would be that.
But for now, at least, the spies were dead, and he would continue on in his patrol until it was time to awaken Sesshoumaru.
Then he would rest.
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