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Fukai Mori: Unlike Any Other (KagomexSesshomaru Fanfic) |
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When Kagome went down the well in her family's shrine to retrieve her cat Buyo, she did not expect to end up in fuedal Japan fending off demons and collecting shards of a jewel.
However, once she freed the hanyou named Inuyasha, she found her fate crossed with his. In time, she and Inuyasha had grown close, however his feelings for Kikyo left a bridge Kagome and Inuyasha could not pass. Or could they?
Ever since she met Inuyasha's brother Sesshomaru, Kagome found her thinking about him more and more.
"How could he be so cruel?" "Why did he hate Inuyasha so much?" "If he hates humans, why did he keep a little girl around?" "Was he really that bad?"
Though Kagome and Sesshomaru's paths only crossed in times of the brothers' struggle and were only for a few minutes at that, she learned a little bit more about the aristocratic youkai. Without realizing it, she found herself drawn to him like a moth to an eletric fence.
When Inuyasha fell ill due to Naraku's poisoning and all attempts to banish it failed, there was only one person Kagome could think of that had the ability to save him. After all, he had saved others at her request, why not his own brother? The tensaiga seemed to coax Sesshomaru to do good. Maybe she would get lucky and he'd be able to overcome his own dislike for his little brother.
With a little hope and her head held high, Kagome went off to find Sesshomaru. The others could take care of the weakend Inuyasha. They would have to. If Naraku or his minions caught wind of Inuyasha's ailment, they would beset them without hesitation. Hopefully, she could persuade Sesshomaru before any of this could happen.
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Kagome struggled along the path, which could barely be called that. It was more of a row of fallen trees made passable only by their decay. The rest of the undergrowth was far too thick to even hope to overcome. For a moment, Kagome wished she had taken Kilala along like Sango insisted. However, she knew the demon slayer would need Kilala in order to fight Naraku's minions. They were sure to attack the defensless Inuyasha soon. Besides, she had explained, the had just ran into Sesshomaru about four days ago. He couldn't have gotten too far.
With all her strength, Kagome climbed over the next fallen tree. Whatever had created this path had to have been huge. She had been traveling for five days now and felt slightly optomistic that she could come across Sesshomaru soon. The other day, a villager had mentioned seeing a demon in white by the river a few nights ago. He was sure the demon was headed south.
Kagome had passed the river the man indicated the very same day she spoke to him. Her will is what forced her aching body to keep moving, despite the lack of sleep or proper nourishment. Her clothes were practically rags and though she had taken a quick dip in the river, she felt absolutely grimey. Summer humidity would do that to you. At least it was slightly cooler in this forest.
After crossing a third fallen tree, Kagome heard the sound of someone singing. It sounded like a little girl.
That's odd...Why would a little girl be out here?
Kagome approached the sound cautiosly suspecting a demon of some sort or maybe a ghost. She pushed through the underbrush and found herself in a clearing. Upon a rock, the singer sat with her back turned. Even from this angle, Kagome immediately recognized the little girl Sesshomaru protected. To the girl's left, Jaken grumbled inaudibly. To the right, Sesshomaru's two-headed dragon grazed. It was the dragon that noticed Kagome's presence first. The dragon raised its head and growled a warning.
"What is it A-un?" the girl stopped her singing to turn and see what it was that had caught A-un's attention.
Kagome did not have the strength to move. She had hopped to find Sesshomaru with them, but he was nowhere in sight.
"I know you," the girl exlaimed and came towards Kagome.
"Rin!" Jaken warned. "Don't talk to that wench! She is the woman of Lord Sesshomaru's despicable half-brother."
Rin ignored Jaken's protest and came to Kagome, "You look tired. Would you like to rest?"
Kagome collapsed to her knees, "Yes. Thank you."
She took a couple of breaths and asked, "Do you know when Sesshomaru will return."
Jaken had come closer now, "And what business do you have with Lord Sesshomaru?"
Kagome wasn't sure how to answer. Do I tell him I've come to beg Sesshomaru to save Inuyasha's life?
It sounded as pathetic in her mind as she was sure it'd sound to Jaken, or even Sesshomaru.
"Master Jaken," Rin said. "I think she is far to tired to be interrogated." She turned back to Kagome, "I'll get you some water and find something to eat."
"Rin!" Jaken called after the girl. "Oh, why does that girl never listen to me?"
Kagome stared at the two in wonder. It was like watching a family. Could Sesshomaru really be the cause of this? There was so much peace between his followers. It was quite different from the squabbles she had with her group. Then again, it could be the girl Rin that brought this peace. She reminded Kagome of a younger version of herself.
"Don't you dare move?" Jaken warned. "Or I'll be forced to use my power and destroy you!"
Kagome didn't listen to him. Even she could take on Jaken without any spiritual power. The dragon called A-un seemed to have decided she was no threat and went about his business. Kagome waited for Rin to return. However, sitting in the soft grass with the sun shining on her face, she found sleep irresistable. It was so peaceful here.
Kagome awoke to a cool breeze and shivered. The sky was getting dark. Wait a minute! It had to be 90 degrees out! Why was there a cool breeze in the meadow? Kagome looked up with a start to find yellow eyes glaring down upon her.
She jumped back with a cry. It was not one of fear, but shock. Sesshomaru had startled her. Rin was explaining that she had gone off to get some food and water for the woman. Kagome looked at Rin and noticed small cuts on the girl's arms and legs. She looked as if she had fallen from a tree.
Sesshomaru seemed satisfied, or at least from what Kagome could interpret in his cold expression as satisfaction, and turned away.
"Are you alright?" Kagome asked Rin.
"Uh huh. Lord Sesshomaru protected me," the girl said happily.
That was when Kagome noticed a large corpse of a demon lying in the feild. Had she been so tired as to not have noticed or heard anything? Rin brought her the food and Kagome ate hurridly. She wanted to speak to Sesshomaru while he still seemed affable. But she needed a little strenght first. If he was anything like his brother, Sesshomaru was bound to be stubborn.
When she had finished, she noticed his eyes upon her again. She felt something flicker through her heart. Again is was not fear, at least, not the fear one usually felt when facing a merciless killer. If he had wanted to kill her, he could have done so at any moment. Right now, he simply looked curious.
"Thank you," Kagome bowed to the group. She felt it best to speak to Sesshomaru as a servant asking a master for a boon. That should ease his stubborness.
"Sesshomaru-sama," Kagome used a formal acknowledgement. "Forgive me for intuding but..." How was she to put it? "...I've come to ask a favor."
Sesshomaru looked away, "I'm do not perform 'favors' for anyone. Especially humans." He said "favors" as if it left a bad taste in his mouth.
Kagome did not give up hope. She bowed lower until her head almost touched her knees, "Please Sesshomaru-sama. Inuyasah needs your help."
She could imagine the reaction that must have caused. If she had aske Inuyasha to help Sesshomaru, Inuyasha would have exploded in laughter followed by rage when he saw that she was serious. Sesshomaru, however, barely shrugged.
"If my little brother is in trouble, he will get out of it himself."
"But Sesshomaru-sama! I--he's been paralyzed by Naraku. His life hangs on by a thread! Please help him." Kagome was almost in tears of frustration. She bowed on her knees. "All I ask is that you use your Tensaiga to heal his human half...please!"
She heard Sesshomaru's clothes move as he stood. When he spoke, she could hear contempt and anger in his voice. "Don't waste my time woman. Inuyasha is a hanyou. It is no surprise that he can easily succumb to Naraku's paltry tricks. Even so, if he has any pride as a half-inu, he would not accept the help of either human of youkai."
Kagome looked up to find Sesshomaru walking away. Rin looked back at her sadly, but with a scold from Jaken, she too turned and followed the group back into the forest.
Kagome felt rage in indignation build up in her. She would not be denied so easily. Not after all she went through to find him. Kagome followed them.
Kagome pushed through the underbrush to catch up with Sesshomaru. Pleading with him wasn't getting anywhere. However, she remembered reading a story about a young boy who wanted a chi-master to teach him the sacred art. The master refused so the boy sat outside the master's tent meditating for three straight days without moving. When the master noticed the boy's conviction, he finally agreed to teach him.
Kagome found it hard to see Sesshomaru as willing teach anybody anything, but the lesson of the story may still apply to her situation. If she showed Sesshomaru how determined she was to save Inuyasha's life, maybe he would agree to help. And that was a big "maybe".
She followed behind them silently. Jaken looked back at her, clearly perturbed. Rin smiled up at Kagome and asked her a few idle question. Only Sesshomaru did not acknowledge her presence. Kagome thought, It's one thing to be patient and wait for him to come around. But I don't have forever. The next new moon is in two weeks. Who knows what will come along between that time?
Even though Inuyasha rested in Kaede's village surround by the protection of his friends, who's to stop Hakudoshi, or even Naraku himself, from killing every last one of them before the new moon?
Kagome bit back a sob. She couldn't think about such things. She needed to focus on the task at hand. For a moment, she thought about dragging Sesshomaru kicking and screaming to help Inuyasha. But though the image was humorous, she knew he would kill her before she could even cry out.
Kagome wondered how Rin was able to handle Sesshomaru's temper. Did he ever lose his temper around her? Totosai had said that the two brothers had a lot in common as far as personality went. Sesshomaru was just more mature and snooty. She was surprised she remembered that minor detail. It was the day Inuyasha first learned how to use the wind scar.
Well if he has Inuyasha's temper, maybe he can be subdued like Inuyasha... Kagome wished she had a kotodama necklace like the one around Inuyasha's neck. That way, with one word she make Sesshomaru help her. Again, it was merely a passing thought. Sesshomaru was probably powerful enough to resist Kotodama. If he could overcome the evil youki of Toukijin, then he could probably overcome a spell activated by words. Either way, she didn't have that sort of necklace and wouldn't use it if she did.
For some reason, it really didn't seem right to force Sesshomaru to help her, even if Inuyasha's life hung in the balance. No. She would earn his respect and he'll help her on his own accord.
Yeah right.
Night fell fast and still Sesshomaru did not stop. Rin slept on top of A-un as Jaken held the dragon's reigns. Sesshomaru seemed as tireless as Inuyasha, even more so. However, Kagome was not surprised. Ignoring her aching feet and her protesting legs, she continued to follow wondering how to get Sesshomaru to trust her.
Kagome was so deep in her thoughts that she did not notice the party's sudden stop. They had emerged from the forest. Up ahead, Sesshomaru looked down a cliff onto a village and castle. Kagome could sense a shikon jewel shard coming from the castle. What were they doing here? There was only one shard left unclaimed, and that was in the world beyond. Koga had two, Naraku had many, and Kohaku...did that mean Kohaku was down there?
Kagome remembered that Sesshomaru had grudgingly let Kohaku live. Was he now seeking to exact revenge? She could not let him do that. Even if it meant blowing her waiting plan.
"Wait Sesshomaru!" Kagome called not bothering with formality.
Sesshomaru looked back at her with a blank stare.
"You're not intending to kill Kohaku, are you? I can't let you do that!"
"The boy is Naraku's tool. An instrument he used to attack me. I will relieve Naraku of all his tools."
"No!" Kagome cocked an arrow and aimed the hamaya at him. She was able to hit his armor a long time ago. But he was distracted and that was pure luck. Though her aim had greatly improved sense that time, she doubted she could take Sesshomaru head on.
"You dare threaten me?" Sesshomaru said, his voice like icy tendrils crawled along her flesh.
"Yes. I've had about all I can stand of your stubbornness. You're just like Inuyasha but with a stick up you butt!" The words spilled out before she could stop them.
Uh oh...now I've done it. Simply comparing him to his half-brother was probably enough to send him over the edge. But insulting him...Kagome expected to feel the power of his Toukijin burn away her existence. Still, she did not take her eyes from his. Nor did she see him make any move to attack.
Jaken stammered with rage, "How dare you insult Lord Sesshomaru! Leave this insolent child to me My Lord."
Jaken stood between Sesshomaru and Kagome and raised his Ninyoujou, the staff of two heads. Kagome anticipated the man's head to shoot fire, lowered her arrow, and readied herself to dodge the attack.
"Step aside Jaken," Sesshomaru commanded.
"W-what? B-but My Lord..."
"I said step aside," Sesshomaru's pitch grew dangerously low.
Kagome dared to look him in the eye once Jaken stepped from between them. His pupils were slit and the whites of his eyes were slowly getting more red. She had seen his eyes do that on several occasions right before he transformed into his true demon form.
Now was not the time to back down. Her senses told her if she showed any sign of weakness, he would surely slay her. Kagome glared back at him, resisting the urge to blink. She could feel her eyes burning and wondered if they were glowing as red as his. A swift arc of light moved before her but Kagome paid it no attention. It was not until she felt the cold sharp tip against her throat that she realized he had unsheathed Toukijin and now pressed it against her neck. She wished she had not lowered her arrow, for now she would have no time to attack.
Sesshomaru stared down at her for what seemed like an eternity. "Do not threaten me unless you are willing to follow through with your attack."
Sesshomaru withdrew his sword and sheathed it. He turned away from her and the castle.
He didn't kill me? Kagome felt herself exhale. She did not realize she had been holding her breath. But she was not done yet.
Kagome suddenly felt that she had nothing to lose anymore if she didn't get Sesshomaru to save Inuyasha. It was a strange feeling. As if she was staring down into a bottomless pit and had every urge to jump.
"I thought you wanted to kill Inuyasha," she called after him. This time he did not stop. "Are you going to allow him to die by Naraku's hands?"
Sesshomaru continued to walk away from her. "If he is too weak to overcome Naraku, then he will never be a match for me."
"So you'll allow Naraku the satisfaction?" Kagome retorted.
Sesshomaru finally stopped but did not turn. Sesshomaru's pride would not allow him to let his enemy take his quarry. Especially if that enemy was a hanyou like Naraku. She sensed she had struck a chord.
Sesshomaru slowly turned around once more.
"This is none of your business woman," he said cooly.
He's talking to me like Inuyasha first did... Kagome realized. What's with dog demons and not calling women by their names?
"Your wrong." Kagome continued, ignoring Jaken's gasp, "It is my business. I--I..." she couldn't bring herself to say it. Why not? The words were simple enough. "I care about Inuyasha." It was true. However, for some reason, she could not say it. Kagome blushed.
Sesshomaru looked away, "Humans are too easily controlled by their emotions. Even a hanyou like Inuyasha can be more level-headed. Yet despite their emotions they can never seem to admit those feelings to themselves."
Huh? Kagome found it hard to hear Sesshomaru being so introspective.
"Are you saying I'm having trouble admitting my feelings for Inuyasha?"
Sesshomaru watched her silently. Calculating. She found it hard to bear the oppressiveness of his gaze. Every once in awhile, she found herself realizing how inhuman youkai and hanyou could be. Despite his human appearance, Sesshomaru's eyes were those of a predator. There was no mistaking his viciousness. Even so, Kagome could not look away from him. Instead, she allowed his eyes to bore into her being as if he was reading her life story.
"I guess you're right. But besides my feelings for Inuyasha, there are more reasons I don't want him to die."
"So he can defeat Naraku?" Sesshomaru cut in. "That pleasure is mine alone."
Kagome felt her temper raising once more. They were going around in circles and now she found herself back where she started.
Maybe another blow to his invincible ego will do the trick. She seemed to make more lee-way being blunt than asking for help.
"I don't think you can defeat Naraku. Not on your own."
"Insolent wench!" Jaken cried.
"None of us can," she continued hastily when she saw his eyes narrow once more. "Even Hakudoushi is too much for us to handle now that he has that barrier."
She wondered if Sesshomaru had come across Naraku's newest incarnation yet. "Naraku will continue to regenerate no matter how many times you cut him. We have to work together to find a way to land a final blow!"
"Do you expect me to lower myself to work together with a half-demon and a handful of humans to bring down another weak hanyou?"
Kagome sighed and rubbed her temples, "That's not what I mean." Totosai was wrong. Sesshomaru is far more stubborn than Inuyasha.
"Look Sesshomaru, if you help Inuyasha, I will be in your debt. How about that? If you do this for me, I'll have to return the favor."
Sesshomaru turned away, "There is nothing you can offer me."
"That can't be true. Even you must want something," Kagome found herself suddenly very curious to know what it was Sesshomaru wanted. He had to have a better goal in mind than just killing Naraku and Inuyasha.
"You fool," Jaken interjected. "Of course Lord Sesshomaru wants something. That's just none of your business either."
"Jaken," Sesshomaru warned.
The green toad-like demon stammered an apology and shut-up. Sesshomaru looked at the sleeping Rin and then back to Kagome.
"I will do this favor you request," Sesshomaru said finally. Kagome almost fell over in relief. "However, you must agree to take care of Rin."
"Huh?"
"If not, then there is nothing else you can do for me," Sesshomaru said and began to turn away.
"Wait a second. I'll do as you ask but...why? Why do you want me to take care of Rin?"
Again Sesshomaru was silent for a long period of time. They had begun to make their way down the cliff into the valley below on the other side of the castle. Even Jaken seemed curious to know why Sesshomaru made such a request.
They stopped right before they reached the valley. A-un lied down carefully as to not wake the girl sleeping on his back. The sun was going to rise in a few hours. Except for the hour or so nap she had taken earlier while waiting for Rin, Kagome had not slept in over a day. She suddenly felt overcome with weakness, the initial adrenaline having passed, and fell down to her knees near A-un and Rin. Within a few minutes, she was fast asleep.
 little tigeress · Thu Sep 14, 2006 @ 07:10am · 0 Comments |
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