InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ushiro Kugishime ❯ The Great Dog-Demon ( Chapter 8 )

The Great Dog-Demon

Sesshoumaru could feel his power leaving him. The woman in his arms got heavier by the second, and he got slower. If he didn’t reach his camp soon he would lose the battle against his own poison.

Damned Daburuakuma. As soon as he had recovered and got rid of the demon bitch in his arms, he would visit the black demon and make him pay. He looked at Inashi. Obviously the pain was too much for her, as she was lying in his arms, unconscious.

At the end of his power, he arrived at the camp. Rin, who noticed his return first, wanted to run to him but stopped when she saw that he was holding someone in his arms.

"Who did you bring with you Sesshoumaru-sama? Can I play with the woman?"

"Later Rin. Jaken!" Sesshoumaru put the demoness on the ground slowly and had trouble staying on his feet. Jaken, who had run to his master as soon as he had been called, looked at him questioningly. Sesshoumaru pointed to the female at his feet and said., "The antidote. Hurry!"

The facial expression of Sesshoumaru didn't allow further questions. After he took a look at the wound on the upper arm of the demoness, Jaken hurried away to get the medicine.

In the meantime Sesshoumaru couldn't stand any longer; he sat down and closed his eyes. His arm was burning and he felt strangely tired. As he opened his eyes again he saw Rin standing in front of him. The young girl was looking at him intently. Sesshoumaru returned her gaze.

"You're ill, aren't you, Sesshoumaru-sama? Should I make you an herb tea?"

Sesshoumaru just shook his head silently. But regardless of his condition he had to fight not to smile. The touching naiveté of this human girl was indeed astonishing.

"Lord Sesshoumaru. Lord Sesshoumaru. Here, the antidote."

Without paying much attention to his servant he pointed at the woman on the ground., "Give it to her."

Jaken hurried to follow the instructions of his master and made her drink the medicine. Shortly afterward she woke up. She sat up, wheezing, and looked around, curious. She found Sesshoumaru, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and looked at him suspiciously.

"Where did you take me?" she demanded to know.

But Sesshoumaru preferred to pay attention to the little girl at his side that had pulled at his clothing carefully.

"Yes, Rin?"

"She's weird, Sesshoumaru-sama. I don't think I want to play with her."

Sesshoumaru just nodded understanding and turned to Inashi, who couldn't take her eyes off of Rin.

"You... you have a human with you? You, whose contempt for the human race is well known among all demons?"

"This matter is not of your concern. You should better be thinking about how to get rid of this 'chain'."

'Chain'? Now she could remember what happened. She tried and pulled at the 'chain' and could see how Sesshoumaru's wrist moved as a reaction to her movement. She looked at the demon lord and could see that he was not very amused by this action. He raised his hand and jerked it away quickly. The result was that Inashi went flying through the air and landed ungently on the hard ground.

"Now that we have convinced ourselves that it IS still in place - how do we get rid of it?"

Sesshoumaru ignored Rin, who was dancing around him singing something like 'Sesshoumaru-sama is a magician. He can make women fly'. Instead he observed how Inashi stood up again, rubbed the dust off of her hands and went to him smiling. Half a meter away from him she stopped, raised her hand and slapped his face.

"Don't do anything like this ever again. Do we understand one another?"

Jaken, who had observed the whole scene silently, knew what would happen now. His lord wouldn’t accept such treatment. He was sure Sesshoumaru would kill the demon woman instantly. He didn’t know what was connecting them, but whatever it was wouldn't save her. Nobody who had slapped Sesshoumaru before lived long enough to tell somebody.

But he was wrong. Sesshoumaru just laughed, something Jaken hadn't seen before either. Then he saw that the demoness was holding her cheek. Had Sesshoumaru slapped back already? No, he still sat there, one cheek slightly red.

"Stupid bitch. Did you forget that every pain you cause me will fall back to you too?"

Inashi confused Sesshoumaru by just smiling at him.

"Nevertheless, it was worth it. Even more so because you can't punish me without hurting yourself. Who else on this world can say that he got away with slapping the great inu youkai?"

A deep growl came from Sesshoumaru's throat. This person was really getting on his nerves. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't describe how much he wanted to rip open her throat. But then he had to think about the consequences his action would cause.

He turned his head to Rin, who looked at him puzzled and then, with a furious cry, launched herself at the demoness trying to cause as much damage as possible with her small hands.

"No, no! You can't hurt Sesshoumaru-sama. Nobody is allowed to do this."

Taken aback, Inashi eyed the little girl. Did this human girl really defend Sesshoumaru? That Sesshoumaru who hated all mankind with a passion? She looked back at the youkai and could see how he looked at Rin with a caring expression. Then he lifted Rin up and put her on his shoulder.

"It's alright, Rin. Nothing happened."

The girl snuggled up to the great demon and he let her proceed.

Inashi couldn't understand the world anymore. This didn't fit in the picture she had of the inu youkai. She had heard of him before, yes. And the stories she had heard hadn't pleased her. It was said that he was as cruel as he was beautiful. That the heart in his chest was as cold as ice, maybe even colder. That he wasn't capable of any emotions, not even hate. Nobody could stand up against him because he had no weaknesses. In the heat of battle he even forgot about friends and allies. But as little as knew hate he knew joy less. Nobody could understand why he killed. He just did. It wasn't the case that he hated his enemies or feared them or whatever. And he didn't kill just for the killing, like some bloodthirsty demons. He killed as if it was the most natural thing on earth. It was really a contradictory picture she had got from Sesshoumaru. But what confused her the most about the great inu youkai was his behaviour toward the little human girl.

Sesshoumaru seemed to feel her stare, returning it. The pretty face, still marked by the whiplash before, was emotionless and cold.

"Well?"

His voice sounded bored. Carefully he put down the girl on his shoulders and told her to go play, which she did.

"If you don't know how to get rid of this 'chain,' you will have to go with me until we will find a solution."

Inashi stiffened. She? With him? Never! Everything in her fought against it. She didn't want to stay in his impossible presence any more. She wanted to scream at him, telling him face to face how much she hated him. But she didn't. She was too reasonable to do this; she began to think about her situation.

In the meantime, Sesshoumaru had been having a conversation with his odd green servant. Obviously he had told him about the situation they were in because she could see the disbelieving face of the little imp. After Sesshoumaru was finished, she could feel him looking at her, probably trying to intimidate her. When she returned that look the green toad jumped behind Sesshoumaru to find shelter.

Inashi turned around, sat down and closed her eyes to calm down. Shortly afterward she felt a light tug on her arm. She opened her lids and saw the human girl in front of her. Encouragingly she smiled at her.

"Sesshoumaru-sama told me to help you by looking after your wounds. He said if Rin is nice to you, you will play with me, will you?"

Just now she saw the bandages and herbs in her hands. Puzzled, she searched for Sesshoumaru but he just gave her his back, still talking with his servant.

"Yes, little girl. I think that would be possible."

While Rin did her best to treat Inashi's injuries, the demoness began questioning her. How she had come to Sesshoumaru? - He had saved her life and had taken care of her since. She is so happy that she can stay by him. - How he had saved her life? - With his strange sword that wouldn't cut, what a stupid question. - She didn't fear Sesshoumaru? - Fear Sesshoumaru? No, he's always kind to her. Inashi couldn't believe her ears. Couldn't believe what this girl just told her. Maybe Sesshoumaru was drugging her. This girl couldn't hang on to him so willingly, could she?

She was about to ask her next question when white shod feet entered her field of vision. Surprised, she looked up and came face to face with Sesshoumaru's derisive eyes.

"Did you find out enough or will you ask her more questions?"

Inashi was startled and looked to the place where he had been before. She had been quiet, hadn't she? How was it possible that he...?

"You heard me?" The disbelief in her eyes made the inu demon grin contemptuously. He said nothing, but nodded lightly with his head.

"Rin, we will return to the castle. Prepare yourself."

The little girl nodded and bounced off on one leg.

"What will happen to me? Inashi asked. She didn't dare look him in the eyes. Every time she did a cold shudder went down her back. She had lowered her gaze while she waited for an answer.

"You will come with us, of course. Until we find a way to get rid of this 'chain', there is no other possibility."

"So you think you will find somebody in your castle, wherever it is, who knows how to do it?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Now she looked him in the eyes challengingly. What was the point in hiding in his castle anyway? But his answer surprised her nevertheless.

"Maybe." It wasn't true but he had something to do before he could hunt after the devil demon. He hadn't forgotten the reason why the demon had approached him. He wanted to weaken him to get his sword, Tokijin. Not that it could happen. However, first he had to find out if what the demon said about their auras was true or not. He didn't want to encounter him again just to see that it was true. So he had to return to his castle to find out more about it.

Without waiting for a response he started walking. Inashi felt the sudden tug on her wrist and was pulled after Sesshoumaru. Anger kindled in her. Who did he think he was? A god? She would show him that this wasn't a proper way to deal with her. That he couldn't treat her like a servant. She made a few fast steps, so the 'chain' would lose some tension, and laid against it with all her might. He will see. She would just go if he asked her politely.

Indeed, Sesshoumaru stopped when he felt that the resistance was a lot stronger this time. But without turning around he continued his way shortly after., his arm hanging on his side calmly. Inashi was sure to get her way. With this attitude he couldn't compare. Her smile vanished as soon as she landed on the ground and was pulled through the dust a couple of feet. Sesshoumaru stopped when he arrived at his strange mount. Inashi stood up quickly and stared at him. It couldn't be possible, could it? Without much effort he had beaten her. She felt like a small child, unable to do something against him. Should he really be that strong? It was a nightmare. How should she take the sword and beat him with his immense power?

Without saying a word she stepped beside him, ignoring his satisfied expression in view of her renewed humiliation and sat on the place he told her on Ah-Un waiting for the departure.

---~~~---

Kagome sat beside Kouga, holding his hand. It was his wish that she stayed with him. He slept calmly and deeply now. The fever seemed gone. Kouga had survived it, now only his wounds needed to heal. But Kagome didn't think that would take long, she knew a few things about the healing abilities of demons.

"Kagome, I will take your place. You should go rest a little."

Kagome looked up and saw Ginta standing beside her. After a thoughtful look at Kouga she nodded tiredly and stood up. She should really get some rest. Slightly unsteady she left the cave. Outside she was greeted by the sun. Kagome covered her eyes and looked around. Everything looked like normal. How should it be else? It was just two days since Kouga brought her here but it felt like an eternity. Not that she wanted to leave; already it was more the opposite. She liked it there by the wolf pack. Everybody was nice to her, she felt welcomed and respected. It seemed to her that the wolves liked her whoever she was or did. She had always missed this feeling with Inuyasha. She as never sure if he cared for her because he liked her or because she was his jewel shard detector.

Kagome did a little stretching. She was really tired and wanted to sleep. But where? Then she saw the tree under which Kouga had slept the day before. Was it really just one day? Kagome walked over and lay down. It was comfortable, for some reason she felt close to Kouga.

Before she went to the dreamland she remembered what he had said to her that morning. The sentence which made her both happy and frightened.

"Kagome, you are the only fever burning in me."