InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Unforgettable ❯ Goodnight ( Chapter 7 )

Sesshomaru watched the woman who sat before his camp fire, little palms outstretched, warming her hands. Her long and formerly sodden onyx locks were beginning to dry as the heat from the fire wrapped around her in a warm embrace. He heard her small sigh of contentment as she lowered her hands to her sides and turned her face to him.

The firelight reflected off one side of her face as the moonlight bathed the other. Sitting by the fire, her cheeks flushed from the heat, she stared at him before gracing him with a small smile. Lowering her eyes demurely, thick black lashes dusting her cheeks, she turned back around to look into the flames.

The taiyoukai watched her, as she sat enjoying the warmth radiating from the crackling orange and red flames, and wondered about what she saw in it's depths. He had already noticed that her unusual eyes seemed to absorb everything within range, seeing things that others surely would or could not. He realized that he had not known her well enough in her first life to know whether this trend in her was something that she had only recently developed after being resurrected. It was unnerving.

Still she sat, her back to him, saying nothing and only gazing. Sesshomaru saw that though her hair was quickly becoming dry, the back of his kimono was still wet from where her locks had lay. The damp white material clung to her back and sides, professing to the world of the tantalizing curves that were hidden underneath it. She sat with her legs curled underneath of her, reminding him faintly of a cat, and although the kimono was much too large for her small frame, still it covered her only to mid-thigh. Shapely calves with creamy skin were burnished a faint orange by the light of the fire. Momentarily, Sesshomaru wondered if her skin would feel as soft and warm as it appeared.

Giving his head a small shake to clear the unwanted and disgraceful thoughts of touching this strange mortal from his mind, he spoke softly, so as not to wake Rin. “You should rest, miko.”

The little woman never turned her face to him, but spoke just as softly. “I will eventually Sesshomaru. I'm just not tired yet.”

A few beats of silence passed before the taiyoukai could no longer keep his curiosity in check. Standing from his place beside a tall tree, he walked to the fire and sat down beside her. Crossing his long legs, he too began to study the flames. Small bits of wood hissed and popped and an occasional burst of blue flame would spark in the center, but beyond that, it seemed a normal fire to him. Turing his face to look at the little miko beside him, he watched, fascinated as the lights of the fire merged and danced in her eyes. The deep blue seemed to swallow the light itself as though taking in the energy for later use.

“What is it that you see in the flames?”

Kagome gave a small start at the low voice that had spoken so near to her. She had been so absorbed in her thoughts that she had missed the moment that Sesshomaru had come to sit beside her. She did not look at him, instead narrowing her eyes in concentration.

“I see everything and nothing Sesshomaru.”

The taiyoukai snorted. “That makes no sense woman, and is insufferably vague.”

“Perhaps, but it's true nonetheless. I see great battles and hate, but I also see the future and love. I see my friends and family, and I see my home. I guess more than anything I see the possibilities, and hope.” She turned to look at the mighty demon beside her.

Sesshomaru had been about to say something about the absurdity of her claims, but when her cerulean eyes focused on his face, he became a believer. Her eyes were scorching and otherworldly, and he suddenly had no doubt that she could see all those things inside something so commonplace as a campfire. He stared at her, not knowing what to say, and so he did what he did best, raised an elegant eyebrow.

Kagome couldn't help but be amused at the taiyoukai's action, and returning her eyes to the only light source in miles she told him calmly, “I also see a campfire.”

Attentions focused solely on the flames, Kagome missed the small smile that Sesshomaru flashed in her direction. She did not miss the sound of his rising from the grass beside her, but was still surprised when she felt something soft and warm being wrapped around her shoulders. Looking down, she saw that Sesshomaru had removed his mokomoko-sama from his shoulder and placed it about her own.

“You should rest. This Sesshomaru intends to head out at first light and if you still desire to follow, you will need to be ready.”

He watched her as she reached her lithe arms above her head, fingers curling in a demanding stretch. She opened her mouth in a small yawn, and then settled herself down on her side.

Wrapping the fluffy bit of fabric about her small body, Kagome turned her back to the heat of the fire and watched as Sesshomaru walked back to his tree and sat down, one leg outstretched and the other bent. He tilted his head heavenward and placed one long arm over the knee of his bent leg, obviously relaxed and still alert to his surroundings. The pale moonlight kissed his face and his magenta markings stood out starkly against the alabaster of his skin. Kagome absently thought that his eyes could have joined the stars in the night sky as they were so golden and distant. Closing her eyes and snuggling down into the soft mokomoko-sama that smelled like clean pine and a fresh breeze, Kagome sleepily muttered, “Thank you Sesshomaru.”

She thought that she was already dreaming when she heard a soft baritone voice respond, “You are welcome miko