InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Young at Heart ❯ Painful Healing, and Plots of Revenge. ( Chapter 24 )

Chapter Twenty-Four:

 

The morning came too fast for him, as he blinked and watched the sun rise above the horizon. Everyone was sleeping, save for him, who watched over the camp more out of habit then concern. Kagome was situated in a strange bag with the small kit cuddled close to her for warmth.

Sesshoumaru blinked, the kit was far too young to out on his own, so where were his parents? Shaking his head, it really wasn't any concern of his. If the kit was here, it was for a reason, and he had somehow adopted Kagome as his mother. Turning his head, he almost smirked as his eyes fell on the monk. The said man was leaning against a tree, far too close to the sleeping Sango and her fire cat. The woman was sleeping close to Kagome, as though for protecting the young girl, and the whole lot of them looked like lumps of mounds too close and more then likely letting off more heat in that closeness then the fire could ever let off.

His eyes lifted, and he saw his brother, sitting in a tree above the group, and Sesshoumaru did smile at that. The sword was perched in the arms protectively, and the hanyou actually looked comfortable in his position, although he couldn't see how. The hanyou's head was titled forward in sleep, and Sesshoumaru wondered why Inuyasha had fallen asleep in the first place. Did he not say the day before that he would not fall asleep with him in his company?

His eyes left the group and traveled over his own. Jaken slept beside a bush, clutching the two headed staff as though he would a life line, muttering about something the small girl had done, and then a large bubble formed around the toads face and Sesshoumaru snorted in disgust.

Rin slept beside Ah' Uh as she did every night, and the two headed beast slept with their heads curled around her, protectively. His company he was familiar with, but his brother's companions weren't, so his eyes traveled back to their sleeping forms. He watched them silently, and was drawn out of his musings when the fire cat leapt from her master's arms and onto the ground, stretching her kinked muscles.

The cat's eyes glanced over the group and then fell on him and she pounced over and gave him a soft mew. He twitched. What did she want? Instead, he raised a brow and drew back slightly as the cat jumped onto his fur and began kneading it gently with her paws. He felt the youki fill the fur and it twitched causing the cat to latch onto it and begin purring.

Shaking his head, he allowed the cat to continue her ministrations and turned his eyes back over the group silently. The human girl, Kagome rolled over, dumping the kit from her arms as she did so, and she mumbled something about her books, and Sesshoumaru frowned.

He flinched. Books? His nose wrinkled reflexively, and his mind recalled the book he had been reading. Sniffing through his nose, he recalled several events that took place in the rather unbecoming book, and his head tilted in confusion. Never in all his life had he come across any books with vivid detail and he shuddered.

His mind then wandered to the object Rin had showed him the day before and another shudder coursed through him. The small object held the same scent as the stick Inuyasha had tossed into the fire when they had been turned into pups, and he remembered with great detail the horrid noise and display of colors that had erupted from its contact with the heat. The night before, Rin had asked if she could throw it into the fire the same way Inuyasha had, and he had told her no. She had shrugged and had dropped it into his hand and had gone to play with the small kit, until the children had been called to bed.

Last night had definitely been an interesting one for him as he had watched the group go about their routines, something Sesshoumaru had never once witnessed and he had watched curiously. Inuyasha and Kagome had eventually come back to camp, both blushing as Miroku had teased them regarding their hasty retreat, and he had growled.

Sesshoumaru was far from impressed with Miroku's ability to embarrass his brother over such simple matters and wondered how his brother dealt with the monk without killing him. No wonder the pair had never confessed their feelings. Kagome and Inuyasha ignored one another for the rest of the night and Sesshoumaru had had to restrain himself from walking up to the monk and slicing him through with Tokijin, and then revive him with Tenseiga.

Instead, Sesshoumaru had remained seated against his tree, in silent contemplation, and had watched as they all fell asleep, including his brother, whom he had wanted to talk with again.

When the group had finally fallen asleep, he then allowed himself to ponder over the events of their experience as pups, and wondered on his own actions. He had a promise to keep, one to himself that he had made, regarding the horrid treatment of a small hanyou, and he planned to rectify the situation once he left the company of his brother and companions.

The human boys had made a fool out of him and his brother while they were weak and helpless, and the poor hanyou child would more then likely grow up to be very much like his brother. It was something he was not about to allow, and thus would confront those children in his adult form and send them running to apologize to the girl they had mentioned.

His thoughts then wandered over his confusing and complex actions towards his enemy's creation. Shaking his head, he wondered why he had acted the way he did. If he were honest with himself, he knew it was partially due to how this woman behaved in his presence. Many feared him, and many found him appealing, shamelessly throwing themselves at him in hopes of gaining his attention, and he had always waved them off with an indifferent air, put off with their blatant attempts to force his affections. As though he could be so easily deceived by empty flattery.

 However Kagura was different, but not because of her lack of attention. The wind youkai had definitely made herself clear that she found him attractive and desirable, but she maintained her self-respect and refused to throw herself at him with outright flirting or compromising herself to gain his attentions, as so many other youkai females did with him. She had even shouted at him and insulted him that one time when he had angered her.

 The natural elegance and air about the wind witch was rather alluring. Kagura simply found his presence to be pleasurable, and her actions concerning him were not forced and false like those of so many others; they were genuine. And Sesshomaru realized that he didn't mind them in the slightest. In fact, he found himself feeling something akin to enjoyment at her company and a wanting to be exposed to more of her simple attentions.

A slight movement caught his attention and Sesshoumaru lifted his eyes to the perch his brother had acquired the night before as a bed. He smirked at the long languid stretch Inuyasha gave, and then raised a brow when golden eyes met his curiously, obviously feeling the youkai's stare.

Inuyasha frowned and his mouth turned downward for a moment, before his mouth quirked and he tilted his head to the side. “What were you thinking about?” The hanyou whispered softly, so he didn't disturb the other sleeping members of his pack.

“Nothing.” Sesshoumaru responded, blinking once.

Inuyasha scoffed and flicked his hand. “You know, thinking about nothing uses too much energy. I would suggest thinking about something, because thinking about nothing really makes people wonder if you ever think at all.”

Sesshoumaru snorted holding in his amusement. “Now why does that sound so familiar?”

Inuyasha turned his head and blinked for a moment before he shook his head and rolled his eyes. “We've had this conversation before.”

Sesshoumaru nodded and glanced at the continually raising sun and sighed. Soon it would be time for him and his company to go. Once the girl was awake and had eaten, he would announce their departure.

Inuyasha jumped off his perch and walked casually over to him. “You know, it looks as though you are preparing to leave.”

Sesshoumaru glanced down at himself. He was seated against a tree, his legs stretched out, relaxed. He hadn't moved. Furrowing his brows, he raised his gaze to his brothers and followed Inuyasha's progress to sit beside him. “I haven't moved, Inuyasha.”

Inuyasha blinked stupidly, and then scoffed. “That's not what I mean. You look as though you are waiting for your group to wake so you can get moving.”

“Indeed.” Sesshoumaru smirked casually, still not a hundred percent comfortable in his half brother's presence fully just yet. “When my companions are ready, we will depart.”

Inuyasha swallowed and nodded. “You don't have to, you know.”

Sesshoumaru turned his head to stare at his brother for a long moment before responding. “What are you suggesting?”

“We both have a common purpose, to kill Naraku. Maybe if we work together we can defeat him. The bastard keeps running away all the time and I really find that to be a piss off.”

“He's a coward. Naraku tests his strength, and when he finds it to be too little, he runs away, trying to absorb more into his pathetic self.” Sesshoumaru said softly.

Inuyasha nodded. “I know we aren't on the best of terms, but maybe this can be a start?”

Sesshoumaru looked at his folded hands and sighed. “Perhaps. I have a few things to sort out, before I give an answer.”

“Like what?” Inuyasha asked, looking at him long and hard.

Sesshoumaru sighed. “I wish to revisit that village. There is a matter I must tend to.”

Inuyasha knew his mouth dropped open in surprise. “You mean that one where those boys teased us?”

Sesshoumaru smirked and nodded. “The very same. Fear not, Inuyasha, I have no desire to kill them, but a little fear would do them no harm.”

Inuyasha grinned. “Will you think about it though?”

Sesshoumaru frowned at the sudden change in subject. “About what?”

“About joining our group.” Inuyasha flicked his hand as though that was what they had been talking about.

“I said I would think on it, Inuyasha. I find humans to be somewhat trying. If I do join your pack, I would wish to be left alone. I do much of my thinking during travel, and thus being constantly interrupted would irritate me.” Sesshoumaru sighed.

“Fair enough.” Inuyasha nodded. “Anything else?”

Sesshoumaru raised a brow and remained silent.

“There is one thing though, if you do decide to travel with us. Every few weeks, we go back to the village to restock our supplies. We stay for a few days and then head out once again.” Inuyasha said softly, staring at Kagome who remained in her sleeping bag, still lost to the world of dreams. “She returns home, to reassure her family that she is still alive.”

Sesshoumaru nodded. “Why do you travel with such a young human?”

Inuyasha frowned and shook his head. “It's a long story, and maybe once we trust each other, I'll tell it. But for now, let's leave it as it is, okay?”

Sesshoumaru smirked and nodded. “Fair enough.”

Inuyasha glanced over at the group and saw Kagome begin to stir in her sleeping bag, and he smirked as she sighed. He stood up and froze as her whispered words drifted over to his ears and he tilted his head to the side curiously.

“Inu…yasha…” “Sit boy.”

His mouth dropped open as he slammed into the earth with a loud grunt of surprise and pain.

Sesshoumaru snorted and then chuckled. “She must be having an interesting dream.” He smirked and glanced at his brother's still flat form.

Inuyasha's muffled reply was lost even to Sesshoumaru's ears, but he suspected a tirade of curses.

Kagome sat up and stretched, yawning and smiling happily. Something about her smile even made the youkai slightly nervous and the girls eyes rolled around the camp until they met his, and then trailed downward to Inuyasha's figure. A bright red blush spread across her cheeks and she stared long and hard.

“Inuyasha, what are you doing?” Kagome called out.

Sesshoumaru snorted. “He is eating dirt I would presume.” He flashed his fangs at her as she walked up to them.

She frowned and tapped him on the shoulder, and Inuyasha growled. “Wench, what the hell was that for?” He snapped, lifting his head.

Kagome looked really puzzled. “What was what for?”

“You sat me!” Inuyasha hopped to all fours and glared at her from under his thick mass of silver bangs.

Kagome gaped at him. “I just woke up baka! How could I sit you?”

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes. “If you two must show your display of wits, mind battling it out of my ear shot?”

Kagome flushed and quickly apologized. “Oops, sorry Sesshoumaru.” She quickly got to her feet and rushed back over to her sleeping bag, folding it quickly.

Soon after, the entire camp was a flurry of activity, and Sesshoumaru approached Sango somewhat hesitantly. She stopped her packing and glanced at him curiously. Shaking his head, he motioned for her to follow him and she complied instantly.

“Is something wrong, Sesshoumaru-sama?” She whispered, adding an honorific title to his name.

“Iie, I have a request if you are willing to hear it.”

Sango frowned slightly but nodded. “What is it?”

“Would you watch over my pack, while I deal with something personal?”

Sango tilted her head to the side confused. “Your pack?” Her eyes wandered over to Kagome's bright yellow bag, wondering where Sesshoumaru had kept his. Immediately, it dawned on her exactly what he had meant and her face flushed. “Oh! Your pack…” She breathed.

Sesshoumaru frowned and then lifted an eyebrow. “What did you think I meant?”

Sango quickly shook her head. “Nothing, I would be happy to. You will return then?”

Sesshoumaru nodded. Turning away, he heard Inuyasha speaking with Kagome, heatedly and he shook his head. `No wonder the baka's never understand one another. Their conversations are utterly ridiculous.' The thought to himself as he walked into the forest, heading into the direction of the village. If memory served him correctly, it lay in the general direction of the ox and tiger. Smirking to himself, he knew he would be there, well before midday.

 

Kagome stomped her foot and glared at Inuyasha. How could he accuse her of sitting him and doing it purposefully when she had been sleeping? She clenched her fists tightly and gritted her teeth together, trying to hold in her anger. It really wasn't working out to her advantage.

Inuyasha saw the heat fill Kagome and he panicked. Even after their talk the night before, she still managed to sit him and bruise his ego. In truth, he knew it wasn't her fault, but he still found baiting her into an argument rather amusing. Of course, he always tried to stop the argument from escalating into this kind of rage, and he felt worry and fear fill his heart.

Her mouth opened, and he flinched, planting his ears on the top of his head, hoping to ward off the familiar word she used to subdue him.

“You are so infuriating sometimes!” She yelled, sticking her face right to his, their noses not even an inch apart.

His breath stilled in his chest at the proximity and he froze. Then a sudden thought brought him out of his stupor and he immediately knew how to shut her up and forget about uttering that word he hated so much.

Inuyasha leaned over slightly and breathed into her ear softly, allowing his breath to caress the small lobe. “Shut up already, wench.”

Kagome froze and gulped. The breath against her ear shocked her to the core and her eyes grew wide. Turning to face him, to ask him what he thought he was doing, she felt a blush rise to her cheeks as she saw how close they actually were.

What shocked her even more was when his lips brushed across hers, successfully silencing all thoughts that had filled her head, and her brain wiped itself clean of all possible thought process.

The kiss was chaste and quick, so fast that unless you were standing right there witnessing it first hand, you would have missed it completely. Kagome stood there dumbfounded for several long minutes, wondering if she had imagined it, but the look on Inuyasha's face told her that no, he had made a bold move and was waiting for something. She realized then, that he was waiting either for her anger, or her acceptance.

Kagome blushed again and shifted her feet nervously. This was the first time he had ever kissed her. Before, it had been her who had kissed him, and even though he had kissed her back after resorting back to his hanyou self, it had lacked any sort of feeling. The kiss before had been more of a reassurance of being all right, a thank you for helping and bring him his senses back.

This kiss however…her brain refused to allow the thought to complete. “Wow.” She whispered.

Inuyasha allowed one of his ears to lift. `Wow? Is that all she can say?' He wondered if it was a good wow, or a not so good wow. He drew in a long breath and waited. Swallowing, he needed to know where he stood with her. He loved her; he knew that, after traveling with her as long as he did. However, did she love him back? He knew there was affection there, Kagome cared for him, supported him, and accepted him. But did she find it disgusting, that he was a hanyou? Shaking his head, he knew that wasn't it. Once she had said that she loved him as a hanyou. Kagome accepted him for who he was; now all he needed to do was find out if she loved him.

Hadn't Sesshoumaru stated that she loved him? Inuyasha snorted and made to turn away, he really needed her ideas on it, not his brother's. A hand stopped him and he glanced back, feeling the earth shift, and he gulped, trying to maintain his balance.

“Inuyasha?” Kagome whispered.

His mouth was dry. The words didn't want to come out, and he stared at her instead.

“You…you kissed me.” Kagome whispered, staring into his golden eyes, which were a swirl of colors.

Inuyasha knew his mouth opened to say something in the affirmative, but instead he gulped and nodded stupidly.

A slow smile spread across her face and her fingers touched her lips gently. “Thank you.”

Inuyasha frowned. “Th…thank you? Is that all you can say, wench?” He growled, angry with himself for even stepping over the line.

Kagome nodded and quickly amended her words colliding with his chest in a bruising hug. Her arms encircled his torso and her face buried into his fire rat.

“What are you doing?” He breathed, holding his hands firmly at his sides. Inuyasha couldn't believe that she was holding him, hugging him. How he wanted to hold her tightly, and not let go, but she had turned him down, didn't she? Even with all her friends in the modern era, she had only called him a boyfriend, and that certainly didn't sound promising to him. Maybe she was embarrassed to be seen with him?

Kagome tilted her head up to stare into his eyes. Standing on her toes, she whispered. “I have waited for that kiss for a long time.” He only had time to gulp before her lips touched his as they had once before in the castle of Kagua. When he had come out of his demonic rage, he had felt her mouth on his, when he had finally realized what she had done and what she was doing at the time, he had done the only thing his brain had allowed him to do, and that had been to kiss her back.

It hadn't been until way later that he realized it had been their first kiss, and it had only been one showing gratitude, but not passion. He tilted his head slightly, and pressed his lips against hers harder, showing his love and passion in that touch. Kagome trembled under his hands, as they wandered over her back, trying to hold her steady.

Growing bolder, he smirked and drew her lower lip between his teeth, and she gasped in surprise. Pulling back, he stared into her eyes and flashed her a happy grin.

Neither noticed the amused and excited looks on the faces of their companions, nor did they notice Rin and Shippo sticking their tongues out in disgust at the emotional display.

 

Sesshoumaru stared down at the village, taking in the familiar, and yet now much smaller human town they had visited several days ago. He made a mental note to stop by the kimono shop and melt at least one with his poison claws, but he figured he would do that on his way out of the village, rather then attract any unwanted attention to himself upon arrival.

He turned his head as several shouts reached his ears, and he caught sight of a small girl racing down a small path out of the village square. Shouts behind her alerted him that she was being pursued, and he narrowed his eyes in anger. Those shouts sounded far too familiar, and he growled softly.

Sesshoumaru turned around in a flurry of robes and followed at a leisurely pace, fully intending to see for himself what this little hanyou girl had to deal with on a daily basis. Her bluish hair had given him the instant distinction that she was indeed a hanyou child, and her small ears looked almost like fins at the side of her head.

Furrowing his brows, he sniffed the air, and realized that she was a water youkai. Rare as they were, he was amazed that the water youkai would couple with a mortal, but then mentally slapped himself. He was here to deal with the bullying boys, not compare youkai and their emotions.

True enough, he came across four boys, surrounding the small girl and shoving her back and forth between them and he wrinkled his nose as the stench of blood filled it. The girl was a feisty one, he nodded at that, as he watched her slap the hands away, and kick and punch, trying to hit at least one mark.

One boy landed a solid blow to the side of her face and the small girl, perhaps only four, spun around at the punch and whirled to the ground with a gasp. Sesshoumaru growled again. He had seen enough. Most of the boys were twice her age, and they found pleasure in torturing one so young?

Shaking his head angrily, he strolled calmly down the remaining spance of space between them and stood behind the oldest boy. The one who had taken him on as a pup. Oh he recognized the scent; he had memorized it deep into his memory, and would never forget it.

The boy whirled around at the tall shadow that loomed behind him and the eyes wandered upward to peer at him and then stumble back and shake at the large youkai before him.

“Do you find pleasure in torturing one so small?” He asked slowly and softly. Sesshoumaru remained calm and collected on the outside, but inside his beast was raging mad.

The boys only stood there and stared at the massive youkai, taking in the markings and the impressive clothing, fearfully.

He lifted a brow. “I asked but a simple question, human. I will not repeat myself.” Sesshoumaru mentally smirked as the older boy, the one who had held him as a pup shook his head.

Sesshoumaru glanced down at the small girl, and her eyes met his, wide and terrified. `Ah, so she has never met another of her kind.' He thought silently. Turning his gaze back to the boys, Sesshoumaru used his speed to descend upon the older human. “Answer me human.” He snarled.

The boy took a step back, but Sesshoumaru closed his hand around the boy's throat. Lifting the boy off his feet, he pulled him to his face. “Look closely human, does this face not look familiar to you? We were here once before, a hanyou pup, and one who looked much like I do.”

The boy's eyes widened and the head nodded.

“Should I find you harming another child, hanyou, youkai, or human, I will spill your guts into the earth and make sure you live to feel your body die and perish.” Sesshoumaru dropped the boy, and turned to the small girl. Kneeling beside her, he helped her sit up and he touched the bright red mark on her cheek. “What parent resides in this village?” He asked her.

“M…m…m…” Her mouth moved, but her words were not forthcoming.

“Your mother or your father?” He asked.

“M…ma…ma.” The girl whimpered. She felt the enormous youki that this youkai released and her limbs quivered.

“I will not harm you child. Come.” He lifted her into his arms and carried her in the direction of the village, leaving the boys behind to clean up their mess. He found humans weak, and he almost chuckled knowing they had soiled themselves in fear. “Show me.”

The girl pointed towards a small lone hut on the outskirts of the village, and he corrected his course towards it. “Do they always torment you so?”

The girl nodded and buried her face into his neck. “I wah my papa.” She whispered.

“Where is he?” Sesshoumaru asked, before they arrived at the hut.

“He died last spring.”

Sesshoumaru nodded. “I see.” He lifted his hand and rapped on the huts wooden frame marking the entrance, and a woman's voice told him to enter. “Woman.”

The said woman raced to her feet quickly and stared in surprise. “Yura. Oh goodness, what happened?”

The woman raced to his side and Sesshoumaru furrowed his brow. “You do not fear strange youkai who hold your child?”

The woman smiled and shook her head. “Youkai have been kind and truthful whereas humans have been cruel and despicable. I may be human, but I do not trust my own kind.”

Sesshoumaru handed the child back to her mother. “Your daughter will no longer be harmed by those boys. Should they attempt to attack her again, send word to me. I will rectify the problem.”

The woman glanced up from hugging her daughter and she frowned. “Why do you help us?”

“I have only corrected something that had been done to myself and my brother not long ago. Do not ask anything further.” Sesshoumaru nodded.

“What are you called?”

“Sesshoumaru.” Without another word, he exited the hut and made his way through town quickly. He smirked as he passed the kimono shop and blinked at a rather nice looking child's yukata sitting in the doorway. Smirking, he took it from its hanger and proceeded down the street, folding the article and placing it into his haori. His steps froze when he passed a sweet shop and he turned his head at the familiar scent.

Grunting, he picked up a pastry and tossed two coins onto the sill where it had been cooling. One for the first pastry he had filched as a pup, and the second for this one. Perhaps Rin would be pleased with a treat. Without any further stops, he made his way back into the forest, and headed back in the general direction of his brother and his companions.

Lifting his nose to the air, after several long minutes, he winced at the familiar scent that washed through on the wind. He froze and his eyes widened. “No.” He whispered under his breath. Sesshoumaru wondered if he would outwit the wind youkai and escape her notice, but his feet refused to move. Glaring down at the betraying limbs, he cursed under his breath as the wind picked up and signaled her arrival.

Taking a deep breath to calm his frantically frayed nerves, Sesshoumaru watched as she righted herself from a crouched position and he inwardly flinched at her smile. It was such an alluring smile and it left him feeling extremely rattled. He waited.

Kagura placed her feather into her hair and turned to stare at him. “Ah, so you have returned to normal.” She grinned.

“Normal?” He muttered holding all emotion at bay.

Kagura nodded and glanced behind him. “Where would your companions be, I wonder? It is nice to see you back to your old self.”

Sesshoumaru remained silent.

Kagura lifted her fingers and touched the very flower he had given her days ago, and he felt his cheeks heat up as the memories of that time flooded through him. “Are you blushing?” She giggled.

Sesshoumaru snarled at her.

“It is nice to see you again, Sesshoumaru. However, I must depart, Naraku is waiting for me.” Kagura sighed dejectedly and shook her head. She lifted her hand and pulled the feather out of her tightly bound bun and made to flick it into the air for her departure. As she lifted her hand, she noticed Sesshoumaru take a hesitant step forward and then he stopped.

Smiling to herself, Kagura felt so much better. Had he wanted to stop her? Secretly she knew he did, but he needed time. Kagura would grant him the time he needed, knowing that he did have some kind of attraction towards her. She also needed time.

In truth, Kagura wanted to have her heart back where it belonged, before she made any moves towards the great youkai lord. Sighing, Kagura didn't really know why she stopped when she saw him in the first place. She was glad he was back to his old self, but Sesshoumaru as a pup had been absolutely adorable. The youkai as a pup had been rather bold, and she wished he were that upfront in adult form.

She felt a rush of air behind her and before she could whirl around in surprise, Kagura felt a strong grip on her shoulder, holding her still. Heated breath caressed her ear and she sucked in her breath sharply.

“Do not do anything foolish, I do expect to see you again.” The whispered words drifted over her and she gulped. As if in an after thought, the next words were spoken strict and precise. “Alive.” Once she was released she whirled around and saw a large white energy ball fly off above the canopy and Kagura stood there shocked and startled.