InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Whispered Dreams ❯ Missed You ( Chapter 9 )

[A/N]

Yume: Hey all, finally back and with a new chap for Whispered Dreams!

CF: Yume's been slightly distracted lately. (glances over disapprovingly)

Yume: Not my fault! Lately, I've been indulging in my first love-art. ^^0 Yeah, I've totally gotten more and more into my own drawings and manga that I've neglected my fics.

CF: (sigh) Oh Yume….

Yume: Hush, child. Last chapter, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha have their battle, and the demon lord walks home without Tetsusuaiga. In t his chapter, he finds out about something much more valuable.

[Disclaimer]: Not mine.

Whispered Dreams

By: Youkai Yume

Chapter 9: Missed You

He wasn't sure if he felt complete and utter disappointment at the fact that he was coming back empty-handed, or relief and content that he would be returning to Kagome. Or rather, a part of him felt that he had failed today. Not just because of the fact that he couldn't get Tetsusaiga, but because he had told his best friend that he wouldn't come back until he had reached his goal.

And currently, his goal had not been reached. Sesshomaru almost dreaded what Kagome would think of him now-the demon lord who spoke empty words. But deep in his heart, he knew that his concern was wasted.

Kagome would never think less of him, could've cared less if he had succeeded or not in such a goal.

"I only pray for your safe return, Sesshomaru," The taiyoukai recalled her sweet voice as she saw him off. He brushed away stray silver locks that fell in his face, tightening his grip on Ah and Un's reigns. His chest tightened ever so slightly with the twinge of guilt of suspecting someone such as she of being so petty.

But he could not help it. Sesshomaru could not bear the thought of Kagome growing distant from him even just a bit. Kagome had always been there for as long as he could remember, numbing his pain with her laughter and soothing his darkest moods with her song.

And even more, she alone stayed by his side constantly because she deeply cared. While others, throughout his years of being a demon lord, were bound to him by duty, obligation, or fear.

His Western Domain came into view, and as he flew over the groves of emerald forests, his golden eyes flickered momentarily as he passed over a familiar shrine that promised a lift in his spirits when he would stop by later on that day.

After all, there were no happy childhood memories without Kagome. There was nothing to look forward to if there was no Kagome. The twin headed dragon landed in the luxurious garden of his castle, and the demon lord dismounted wordlessly.

Behind him, he could hear a light thump, as Jaken no doubt fell off of the dragon, his face paler than usual with shades of sickness from flying so high. Sesshomaru glanced at the toad blandly before he made his way inside. It was not long before the pitter-patter of Jaken's feet told him his retainer had regained composure and followed him.

Still, he felt utterly frustrated at the fact that Inuyasha, his younger runt of a brother had managed to get his grubby little paws on the sword. `It should have been mine…' He thought with bitterness. A female voice began to echo in his mind, a voice that belonged to a woman who bore striking resemblance to his best friend.

"Perhaps it was not meant for the eldest son…" She had told him in a snide voice before throwing the fang at to his younger brother. That woman…he wanted to rip out her face because she looked like his Kagome so much, and yet bore a heart of ice that in a way he felt she had scorned the serene spirit in some way…

"Milord!" A squawky voice piped up behind him, bringing the demon lord out of his thoughts. Sesshomaru turned around to face his retainer, who was jogging to keep up. "Will you make plans to go after Inuyasha and reclaim the fang?" The toad asked.

The taiyoukai narrowed his eyes, stopping in front of his room.

"In due time, Tetsusaiga will be mine soon enough," He responded emotionlessly. "But now, I have some business to attend to," With that, Sesshomaru slid open the shoji door to his room. Jaken almost stepped in to follow him if he had not remembered that it was forbidden to do so, and the penalty was death.

"Are you leaving again for the night, Sesshomaru-sama?! There are important documents that have arrived from the other lords, and I really think you should-"

But the toad was immediately silenced when the demon lord shot him a cold, piercing look. Bowing his head in shame and fear, Jaken scuttled back against the wall.

"Forgive me, milord, it was not my place…"

Wordlessly, the door slid shut, and upon the other side, the toad youkai could hear the flutter of whipping winds and the rattling of the shoji screens. The Lord of the Western lands had taken to the skies once more…

`Into the forest no doubt, like he does so often every other night…' Jaken sighed, dragging his feet through the halls. All these years of serving the demon lord, and still it was a mystery where Sesshomaru-sama went to night after night.

Ever since he was a small child… No matter. It was not his place to ask, and he was sure it was not his place to know.

Had he ever seen a more beautiful sight before laying eyes upon her joyous features? The demon lord found it hard to believe when he had at last arrived to the abandoned shrine, finding the young maiden waiting patiently on the burnt steps like she did every other night that he came.

She will always be here…waiting for me…

A smile graced her lips, and she stood up, her transparent frame moving towards him, hands outstretched as if to welcome him home. It was times like this that Sesshomaru truly regretted the fact that she was untouchable… How badly he wanted to feel her embrace right now, to feel her comfort and warmth as she washed away his troubles with a single caress, a simple whisper.

Nonetheless, he let a smile grace his own lips, and nodded when the ghost of a girl stopped in front of him. Her arms were now by her sides, as if she too just remembered that it was not a night of the full moon, and she could not welcome him home the way she liked.

She could tell Sesshomaru felt the same way, for it did not go unnoticed, the momentary flicker of disappointment that flashed across his golden orbs before his emotionless mask slipped back on. Still, she smiled.

"Sesshomaru, I am glad for your safe return," Kagome said softly, and the demon lord nodded in response.

"It is good to see you tonight, Kagome," Sesshomaru walked briefly past her, wanting to keep his mind off of the recurring mock of their fate…that he could not do a simple thing as to touch her cheek in silent happiness that she was here for him.

Slowly, he walked towards a large tree that grew beside the shrine and looked over his shoulder, an indication that he wanted her to follow.

Wordlessly, she floated after him, watching as the Tiayoukai gracefully allowed himself to sit at the base of the tree. His expression was impassive, as it had always been, and his demeanor, serene. Though beneath the façade, she could see something was deeply troubling him.

She came close to him seating beside the demon lord.

"Sesshomaru, you don't seem as happy to see me…is there something wrong?" She inquired carefully. She could see the subtle change in his serenity, the light furrow of his snowy brows, the thinning of his pale lips, and the shadow in his golden eyes as he slowly opened them to look at her solemnly.

Kagome's features softened, her sapphire irises reflecting an understanding.

"It's about that sword you went off to find, isn't it?"

Silence.

"You didn't get it, did you?"

Sesshomaru let out a scoff, turning away from the young girl.

"It would've been mine, if it had not been for unforeseen interference," He replied coldly, almost bitterly as he recalled the encounter with his half-brother. Kagome tilted her head to the side.

"What kind of interference, Sessho-kun?" She asked cautiously, careful to not anger the demon lord. The wind blew almost lazily through the trees, whispering unknown secrets as the silence seemingly dragged on forever for Kagome. After a long while, he finally turned around to face her, his expression serious as he gazed deeply into her eyes.

He spoke but one word:

"Inuyasha."

Sapphire orbs widened at the name, and she leaned closer to him.

"You ran into your little brother?!" She exclaimed, noticing that Sesshomaru narrowed his gaze a bit. He nodded, averting his gaze to study a little firefly that hovered over a nearby flower. "I see…" She spoke behind him. "What happened between you two when you met?"

The demon lord focused hard on the flickering little insect, almost dreading to answer for he knew Kaogme would be displeased with the response. Nonetheles…

"He was in my way, so I did well to try to remedy that problem," Sesshomaru said harshly, so much so that he could imagine her wincing at his cold tone.

"You fought him, in other words," Her voice came to him in a sad whisper. He could feel himself tense inwardly, but he nodded. "Was he there for the sword as well?"

"No, Inuyasha seemed to be completely unaware of the fang when I had encountered him."

"Then why…"

Sesshomaru turned around from the firefly, his golden eyes resting on her transparent form, eyebrows furrowed together in thought.

"Most likely, my brother spotted me when I was going to the shrine. It was located near the village he was residing, and I detected his scent before I arrived at my destination," The demon lord reasoned. "He probably followed me out of pure curiosity," He finished blandly, closing his eyes.

Kagome looked at him, her mind wandering off to the boy that she had so often heard about but never seen. She would've liked to have met him…if only once. A wistful look overcame her face, and it didn't go unnoticed by Sesshomaru.

"Kagome?" He called out to her softly.

"I wonder how he's doing…" She said more to herself than to him. The taiyoukai would've growled at her, but he often found that he could never be dissatisfied with her..

"The runt is fine," Sesshomaru scoffed. "His head has probably grown bigger because he managed to get his hands on what should be mine." Kagome stared at him for a long time.

"How did that happen?" She asked, her lips tugging into a bit of a smirk. "Don't tell me after all these years of telling me how poor he is in battle, and now you've finally lost to him…"

A low growl escaped the demon lord's lips and he gave his best friend a disdainful growl. Kagome only smiled apologetically, but she loved poking fun at him. Besides, what could he do? Glare her to death?

"Wench, do not presume that he had won on his own strength," He bit back bitterly, his eyes flashing with annoyance. Kagome giggled some, waving her hand in the air apologetically.

"Gomen, Sessho-kun! Go ahead, tell me how it happened," She insisted, giving him her best pleading look. Her sapphire irises shone with such sincerity that he found himself unable to stay upset. He sighed, and slowly he recalled back the even that had happened not too long ago in the shrine that his father had left the sword.

It was all too clear, the anticipation he felt as his hands nearly grasped the Tetsusaiga, and the searing white pain that shot through his arm at the mere touch of the sheath.

"The sword rejected me," Sesshomaru answered simply. "When I tried to touch it, it produced a barrier, and I was unable to grasp it without having it inflict pain."

Kagome's eyebrows furrowed together in thought at this.

"But that doesn't make any sense…if your father left it solely for you, then why would it have a barrier around it-a barrier that protects it from you?

Sesshomaru visibly tensed when she said this, Kikyo's cold voice resounding in his head once more.

"Perhaps it was not meant for the eldest son…" He found himself repeating her words.

"What do you mean?" She inquired, her tone curious. The demon lord turned to her, his eyes no longer void of emotion as she saw without a doubt, uncertainty flash across golden depths. "Sesshomaru?"

The taiyoukai remembered ever so clearly the priestess that bore the resemblance of his beloved Kagome. The very thought of the Kikyo bothered him greatly, partly because every time he thought of her, he could not help but wonder if Kagome was capable of such cold eyes as well. But he had to tell her.

It was a part of their pact as friends to share their deepest secrets, their whispered dreams. He drew in a deep breath.

"When my brother intruded into father's shrine…he did not come alone."

(Blink)

"He didn't?"

"There was a woman…" He began, mulling over the next words. "A miko. She accompanied Inuyasha and helped him do battle with me."

"Yeah…Is she the reason why you really lost the sword, this priestess?" Kagome asked, her eyes shining with interest.

"When I couldn't touch the sword, and did battle with Inuyasha, she came and took the sword, giving it to Inuyasha instead."

"Wait, if you couldn't touch it, how could she? And wasn't she afraid that the barrier would get her too?"

Sesshomaru looked solemnly at her, not saying a word as Kagome's eyes narrowed in thought, then widened in realization.

"Sesshoamru, was she the one who told you that the sword wasn't meant for you?"

He nodded. Kagome frowned. `And if Inuyasha could touch it, maybe it really was meant for Inuyasha…' She looked over at the demon lord once more, her sapphire eyes a soft gaze. A knot twisted in her stomach.

She could probably imagine how the demon lord felt. All his life, especially since the birth of Inuyasha, he had always felt as if he was second best in Lord Inutaisho's eyes. He may not have always said it, but she knew he wanted to be recognized by his father, no matter how much he had claimed that he detested the taiyoukai for abandoning his mother.

`And with this whole Tetsusaiga incident, I'm betting he feels even more strongly about it…'

Sesshomaru's golden eyes widened as she put a transparent hand to his cheek, and for a moment, he almost closed his eyes and imagine her warmth as she smiled at him softly.

"Sessho-kun, don't you ever think that your father didn't want what's best for you…" Her voice was like a soft caress, and he the demon lord sighed as he enjoyed hearing her speak. "Lord Inutaisho may not have entrusted Tetsuaisaga to you…but who would want that sword anyway?" Kagome smiled. "It's waaay too scary if you ask me, I wouldn't have been very comfortable with you having that thing with you to be honest.

"Besides, I'm sure Lord Inutaisho has something even better that he left behind for his eldest son," She giggled, tapping his nose (like she always did, even though it did no good…it was just cute) and smiling lightly.

Sesshomaru allowed himself a smile when he heard this. True, the fact that his father entrusted the fang to his younger brother bothered him, perhaps it was a sort of envy…but it was that wasn't what truly upset him at the moment. And he almost chuckled slightly from her wrong assumption, and the fact that he thought it was kind of Kagome to try to cheer him up.

He pulled away, his smile disappearing from his flawless face as his molten depths bore into her own blue ones.

"I appreciate your optimism, Kagome-chan, but that is not the reason why I am so restless this evening."

"It…isn't?"

He shook his head.

"No, it's because, the priestess that was with Inuyasha…she looked exactly like you…" He said emotionlessly, watching her face for any kind of reaction.

"Is that all?" Kagome brushed off as if were dust on her shoulder. The demon lord looked at her blankly. "I don't see what the big deal is, I mean, so she looks like me…what does that have to do with anything?"

"You don't understand, Kagome…" He urged, and if he could've grabbed her shoulders and given her a good shake, he would've. But he settled on standing up and looking down at her.

"This priestess, she was cold and devoid of any emotion. She had no compassion, and she spoke with the tongue of a vile snake," Sesshomaru continued almost angrily. The spirit of a girl, however, did not see the point in his anger.

"Um, I still don't get it…"

Sesshomaru sighed.

"Kagome, when I looked at the witch of a miko…I couldn't help but see our face…"

"Still not getting it, Sessho."

"I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if you were suddenly like that…if you spoke with the same cold voice and looked at me with contempt and hatred…if you were capable of becoming something like that…"

Kagome stared at him while he avoided her gaze, focusing once more on the fireflies. She huffed, hating whenever he dodged her like he did. In a flash, she had transported from his side and reappeared right in front of his face, her face mere inches from his.

"Listen, Sesshomaru. I don't care how much that girl looked like me, but I'm not her! I mean…I thought you'd know by now that I'd never be like that…so…" Her fiery depths of blue softened, reminding him of the calm waves of the ocean. "…so you don't ever have to worry, okay?"

All of her words seemed to drown out of his head as he stared, almost in a bewitched state at her… She was just…so close…For some reason, the demon lord found himself feeling the urge to kiss her…if he could. `Not alive remember?' He scolded himself, even more so for thinking such things about his best friend.

Sesshomaru shook his head out of his thoughts, and smiled weakly at her.

"I know, Kagome…but…"

"Oh, Sessho…you're so silly…" She giggled, and he saw her reappear by his side once more. Longingly, she placed her head on his shoulder (almost, it was the closest she could do to leaning) and sighed wistfully. The demon lord felt a twinge in his gut, a pang of want that seemed to consume him every time he was with her.

"I missed you, Kagome…" He found himself whispering the words before he could stop himself. His voice was void of the ice that so often coveted his being. This caused her to smile beautifully, and he felt warm at the sight. Again, only Kagome could do that to him.

"I missed you too, Sesshomaru." She said softly, her cheeks flushing a pretty pink. `Not just these past days…' She though quietly to herself. `But everyday when you are not with me…'

"You know what?" Kagome started, causing him to look over at her at the sound of her perky voice. "You don't need that stupid sword…you can always go and make yourself a new one!"

The demon lord looked curiously at the girl, his mind registering what she was saying. An idea crossed his mind, and his mood lifted a little. Standing up, he dusted off his silk robes and stared off at the half full moon.

"Ah, Kagome. Where would I be without your council?" He bantered idly, though his tone was still emotionless.

"Probably in some ditch…"

He growled.

"Kidding. So what, you're actually going to take my advice?"

"There is a sword-smith," Sesshomaru began, watching the ghost of a girl as she floated to his side. "He is the very best to be exact. His name is Totosai, and he lives in a mountain of liquid fire not far from here."

"The Totosai?" Kagome inquired. "Wait, wasn't he the one who forged the Tetsusaiga?"

"Yes, that is why I have no doubt that he can forge another sword of equal power for me. If I cannot have Tetsusaiga, I shall have one that rivals it."

Sesshomaru raised a delicate eyebrow when the girl sighed heavily.

"And we're back to the whole killing sword situation."

"It was your idea," The taiyoukai countered.

"Way to twist my words, oh great one."

"Do not test me, wench," He growled.

"What are you gonna do, poke your hand through my gut?" was her caustic reply. She then proceeded to wave her own hand through her torso, where it passed through with ease. "In case you haven't noticed, I actually need guts for that to work." Kagome grinned.

"Come the next full moon, I shall wipe that smirk off of your face, woman."

"No you won't."

"Why not?"

"Because you love it too much when I smile."

Sesshomaru said nothing, only turned his golden gaze away. Slowly, he began walking away from the shrine, leaving a rather smug Kagome behind. He didn't want her to have the satisfaction of knowing she was right.

`But she'll never know how much I truly love that smile…'

"I shall be leaving in the morning to go see Totosai," He called back to her, not bothering to glance over his shoulder.

"You're leaving me again?!" Kagome exclaimed. "You know I was joking, right?"

The demon lord stopped in his tracks, whispering barely loud enough to hear, but it was enough so that she could hear.

"I know."

END CHAPTER

[A/N]

Yume: Okay, yeah…finally finished with it. Sesshomaru is a bit OOC, but you all have to remember that Kagome is his friend since childhood. He doesn't mind letting himself go whenever he's with her.

CF: (nods) NEXT CHAP! Hold onto your knickers! Sesshomaru goes to meet Totosai, and guess what new shiny sword he gets? (grins)

Yume: And guess who else will join the gang? Give you a hint, her name rhymes with Tin.

CF: That's a big spoiler, Yume…

Yume: Yes, I know. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR REVIEWS! (loved `em all)

CF: Please read and review now! And remember, no flames!