The Girl in Green and The Dog Lord --- Inuyasha 1x1 RP

[Hobbit Cat]

殺生丸

Drops of water slid across the polished surface of Sesshoumaru's lacquered chestplate, lending it a shine far more noticeble than its normal dullness. He was getting wet too but not cold. The elements seldom to never effected him. Sesshoumaru followed Kagome with his eyes, denoting how heavy her thick, inky hair looked when weighed down with so much water. His was lighter, silkier and seemed to repel water to some small extent unless it was drenched, like fur. Beads of moisture clung to the silver threads and slipped down them. Kagome's head was becoming utterly saturated, and so were her clothes.

“You will be too slow on your own.”
Sesshoumaru assessed. His expression conveyed his impatience.

His attention broke for but a moment when the sound of four stomping feet sloshing through mud came from the east. His eyes darted toward Ah-Un lumbering out from the woods, undoubtedly satisfied after gorging themselves on the sweet grasses that grew nearby. The cast iron cooking pot and wooden spoon were balanced upon Ah-Un's saddle, and Jaken lead the beast towards the cave by their reigns.
“Are you truly going out in this rain, milord?” The imp asked timidly. Jaken currently looked like a drowned, shaved guinea pig wearing a lopsided hat.

Sesshoumaru could feel his kimono getting damper by the second. He didn't care. Water did nothing to demonic silk.
“Tend to Rin in my absence.”

Jaken nodded and lead Ah-Un, who'd been briefly distracted by a cluster of dandelions growing close to the mouth of the cave, inside. Instantly, the two-headed dragon took their place wrapped around Rin protectively.

Sesshoumaru walked close to Kagome, barely giving her even a few scant inches of personal space.
“Come.”

[Kaytyee]

xx

Brown eyes glanced over to the dog lord as he stepped into the rain with her. It was amazing how the rain almost seemed to repel off of him. He didn’t even seem the little bit phased by the water or the cold that it seemed to bring. Her eyes caught sight of the droplet of moisture that slipped down his long silver hair. How was it possible that anything that involved him seem so elegant and proper? She was sure she probably looked like a drowned rat because of the rain. Turning her gaze away she held her arm up above her forehead in a feeble attempt to block some of the rain from hitting her face.

Hearing his voice she snuck a peek over to him to see the impatient look on his face. Great, well this was going to be an interesting trip if he was going to get all impatient. Hearing the imp she took a quick glance over to him before she walked just a bit further from the cave to start looking at the greenery that grew around it. Maybe there would at least be something close by that could help. The sooner she found the herbs needed the sooner Rin would get better which would result in her getting back to her own time sooner than later.

Letting out a small frustrated sound she ran her fingers through her hair to get it out of her face. There was nothing near the cave that would be useful at all. Straightening herself out from where she had been slightly bent over, a surprised sound came from her at the sound of Sesshomaru being so close to her. “Uh… okay.” She managed to get out, her face feeling warm from the blush crawling up her neck. Why was he standing so close to her? She figured if anything that he’d keep as far of a distance as he could from her… well with her being human and all.

Swallowing she began to walk, keeping her eyes open for anything that could help the poor girl back in the cave. Getting further from the cave and closer to the forest that was near the area she went to a small gathering of shrubbery and greenery. Crouching down she looked over the plants carefully before picking a few. “These ones will help with her fever… but we need something else to go with it since it doesn’t taste good on its own.” She murmured, talking more to herself than the dog lord.

Kagome was sure she was soaked to the bone from how heavy the rain was, and by the looks of the sky it wasn’t going to let up any time soon either. Luckily she had a change of clothes in her backpack. Going deeper into the forest the young girl found herself stealing glances towards Sesshomaru here and there. He was following her so close and she didn’t understand why. Did he think she was going to run away or something? Even if she tried she knew he’d be able to sniff her out without a problem. Brown eyes lit up as they landed on another herb. “Oh! And these ones will help with that cough of hers.” She knelt down to carefully gather the few that were there. Looking over the two different kinds of herbs she looked in thought for a moment before brown eyes met yellow. “I forgot to ask if she has an upset stomach, do you know by chance?”

[Hobbit Cat]

殺生丸

The clearing the priestess led Sesshoumaru into was relatively small; it would just barely accommodate his true form. The space was overwhelmingly green but devoid of anything much more than that. No flowers, no berries. Sesshoumaru's boot nudged a half sunken plank of broken, rotten wood coated in moss and mud. He traced once cultivated sections of soil up and down the clearing, the herbs overgrown and mingling together.

'An abandoned herb farm.'

Sesshoumaru followed the girl and noticed that she talked a lot, even when no one seemed to be listening ot her. Was that a trait common amoungst humans? He said nothing as she gathered herbs, but committed the scents to memory.

Once again, they were in the woods, shuffling through mud and moss, and everything was going from damp to full on sodden. Most animals had shied away from the area but a few crafty-eyed crows hung about, tilting thier heads to the side as they observed the inuyoukai tailing the human he'd purloined. Sesshoumaru paid the regular birds no mind but sent a glare towards the one amoung them with a third, glowing red eye. The little vermin was watching Kagome, but wisely kept to itself.

Kagome's voice nudged him from his silent threat displays and spurred his interest in the herbs sprouting up in a patch in front of the kneeling priestess. Sesshoumaru bent his knees and crouched, plucking a leaf from the species of herb she didn't have in her hands. He inhaled its scent then grasped a large handful. Quite honestly, the inuyoukai looked more like a curious little boy digging around for bamboo shoots than the youkai he was. He'd grabbed far too many in his large hand than needed. He could barely stand the smell of spring onions when they were fresh. Mingled with vomit, they'd be even worse.

Sesshoumaru glanced down at the herbs, his brows gathering as if he'd only just registered how many he'd picked. He thrust his fine work in Kagome direction
“You will bring these back out of precaution.”

[Kaytyee]

xx

Blinking Kagome waited, following her Sesshomaru’s gaze had been. Was it the three-eyed crow that he had been looking at? She could feel it’s beady eyes on herself and it gave her the shivers. It was a third eye crow that had started the adventure for all the jewel shards and is what ultimately lead them to find out about Naraku and all the evil things he had done. Also, if it hadn’t of been for a three-eyed crow she would have never met Shippo, Miroku and Sango. It didn’t change the fact that the demon crow was creepy. Pulling her gaze away from the crow and the inuyoukai she went about her business.

It was so much different being around Sesshomaru compared to his half-brother. At least his half-brother would engage in conversation with her while the dog lord was quiet, but had watchful eyes. Picking a few more herbs she glanced down to her arms to take stock of what she had already picked and what she still needed. She didn’t need that much more, it was mostly stuff that would help make the medicine taste a bit better. Kagome couldn’t help but to wonder if Rin had finally fallen asleep after they had left. She had been fighting so hard to keep her eyes open as soon as she had crawled into that sleeping bag.

Hearing Sesshomaru’s voice Kagome stood up and turned to face him. Glancing down to all the herbs in his grasp her eyes went big before blinking a few times. “Oh… uh thanks.” She let out a small laugh as she took them from his grasp to pile up with the rest in her own grasp. “I think we have more than enough here to do.” She smiled brightly before brown eyes went up to yellow. She really hadn’t expected the dog lord to actually help pick the herbs, she figured more than anything he was there simply to make sure she didn’t get into trouble.

Moving she began to make her way back to the cave. The rain had her utterly soaking wet and she felt extremely cold from the rain and cooler air. It would feel good to get back to where the fire was and a dry change of clothes. A small sniffle came from her before moving her one hand up to brush her thick black hair out of her face again. How was it Sesshomaru still looked as though the water had barely touched him? It was absolutely amazing, and in a way she was a bit jealous of it.

[Hobbit Cat]

殺生丸

Dirt clung in the subtlest of ways to Sesshoumaru's fingers and even under his claws. On surface level, an awful sensation...at least what he should've thought as awful, but in truth-- and even since childhood-- Sesshoumaru had loved to mess around with things that grew. He'd never been versed in herbology. After all, that was a path for the passive scholars who seemed to never live beyond the walls of their libraries. Sesshoumaru wondered if he would have taken to that life had he been born below his esteem but wondering at long passed impossibilities suited him even less.

Sesshoumaru was an artist of battle, tutored by the finest swordmasters and martial artists in the youkai upper ring. Even those did not compare to his formiddable parents who'd given their contributions: the late dog general's ferocity and the dog lady's grace. Truly, 'killing perfection' suited Sesshoumaru to a T.

And yet...this Kagome, and even Rin and their simplistic love of plants, of things tenderer than battle...

It had taken witnessing these things first hand, but Sesshoumaru bore a grudging respect for these 'weaker' undertakings. He evens secretly loved them.

A flair of youki and venom made Sesshoumaru's claws glow. All trace of dirt and mud burned from sight and once more, he was untouched as virgin snow. He liked that clean feeling. He was a lord, after all.


'She laughed at me.'
Sesshoumaru paced silently into the cave behind Kagome, blatantly ignoring Jaken's squawking. He stood still upon the thresh-hold between cave-mouth and outside.

For all of his deadly perfection, a simple human girl had laughed in his presence. One he'd tried to kill in the past no less. Was she touched in the head, perhaps? Or like Rin, was she...different?

Jaken fed a humble but stable fire with kindling from a pile he'd collected before their departure. There was little left but a few logs and the odd twig bundle. No where near enough to last the night.

'The priestess is different than most humans.' Sesshoumaru confirmed in his head. 'She does not startle so easily at demons, but understands their danger. She is friend to my rival and yet she did not hesitate to aid those in my charge.'

Sesshoumaru turned his back upon the group, considering the strange woman in green, a mystery he decided he'd deem worthy of unravelling.

'But what is she other than simply different, I wonder?'

Rin cracked her eyes open, and they were stiff from dried moisture. Deep, tired bags shadowed the undersides of her eyes, and a sheen of sweat dominated her forehead.
“M...Miss Kagome?”
The girl croaked
“...H...How long will you stay with us?”
Jaken snorted, crossed his arms and his beady eyes narrowed into stripes of yellow.
“Pfah! I am certain she'll be gone once she's served her purpose! Milord can't be bothered with yet another human around, Inuyasha's human no le-”

“Silence, Jaken.” Sesshoumaru cut him off firmly. He looked to be deep in thought. Jaken snapped his beak shut knowingly. One did not disturb a Sesshoumaru so deep in thought without severe consequence.

“Rest here once you have finished crafting your potion, priestess. If Rin is sufficiently recovered, you may return to your friends tomorrow."
Something was vaguely softer about his voice, as if his meandering thoughts had sapped most of the ice from it.

[Kaytyee]

xx

Brown eyes glanced to his claws as they had that glow of green that she had unfortunately had been on the wrong side of when they first met. She knew fully well what those claws were capable of. Kagome could remember the marks on Inuyasha’s wrists from the one fight between the two brothers. Watching as the dirt seemed to simply disappear from his claws she blinked before offering him a smile before continuing towards the cave.

Once back at the cave she placed the herbs down near the fire before moving back to the mouth of the cave. Wringing the ends of her skirt she tried to get rid of as much water as possible before wringing out her hair. It was no use either way she was going to have to change into her spare set of clothes. With her hair no longer soaking wet, but more damp than anything she used her fingers to get it out of her face before moving back to the fire and to where Rin was.

Hearing the girl speaking brown eyes glanced to Rin as a smile touched her lips. “I’m going to stay as long as it takes for you to get better Rin.” She said with a slight nod of her head before she heard Jaken speaking up. Glancing over her shoulder she eyed the little imp for a moment. He talked about her as though she wasn’t even there which irked her. Turning her back to the imp and focusing on the herbs to start preparing them to make medicine for the young girl she tried her best to tune him out. But before he could even finish his sentence the dog lord had cut him off.

Hesitating for a moment she stopped the preparation and glanced over to where the dog lord was standing. He seemed so deep in thought, but she wasn’t even sure what it could be about. His next sentence had her utterly confused. Never once had she heard Sesshomaru’s voice that soft—not that it was terribly soft at all it was barely noticeable—but even when he talked to Rin he still seemed to have that ice to it. Nodding her head a little she tried to find her voice in her throat. “Okay, thank you Sesshomaru.” She said, her voice quiet.

One day away wouldn’t be too bad… but then again she’d have to deal with the temper of Inuyasha for leaving with his brother and no doubt making him sit in front of him as well. Though, she could feel herself already missing the others… She was sure Miroku, Shippo and Sango were probably worried about her especially since they knew how cold and unforgiving Sesshomaru could be.

Grabbing the clean pot that Jaken had used to make Rin stew she placed the prepared herbs in it before carefully putting it on the fire. It needed to cook for a little before letting it cool down for the girl. Offering Rin a smile she then moved to her yellow backpack, digging through it to get her dry clothes from it. “The herbs need to cook for a bit before. I’m just going to go change into something dry.” She said with a bit of awkwardness in it.

Moving further back into the cave she glanced over her shoulder, making sure nobody was looking before she quickly stripped down and pulled on her other uniform she had brought with her. Pulling the shirt down over her head she pulled her arms through her sleeves before she heard a rustle near her. Beady black eyes from a mouse stared up at her causing the young teen to let out a surprised scream. Demons and monsters? She was completely fine with, but insects like worms or rodents? Not so much.

[Hobbit Cat]

殺生丸

Rin tilted her head to the side, and her own hair tickled her nose. She wished the sickness would go away, but getting better meant Kagome would go away. Rin's small fingers clutched the lip of the sleeping bag, the pads contacting dense, dull plastic. That part was cold but she could hardly tell.

The fire crackled, and an innocent brown gaze fixated upon her contemplative protector's back. Lord Sesshoumaru truly did have wide shoulders. He was so tall and graceful. She wondered what his father looked like. Did Lord Sesshoumaru's father have lovely hair and pretty eyes too? She coughed, and Jaken tapped her fingers lightly with his own, a reprimanding look spurring the little pink digits to disapear beneath the sleeping bag.

Her lord could be so cold and quiet, and even though Rin loved him just as he was, she craved the tenderness Kagome had shown, an echo of her late mother's gentle gestures. Rin's awareness sagged. She could hardly remember her mothers' face anymore.

- - - -

Dim, orange light bathed the ragged cavern in warmth even as the greyed sunlight peetered off outside. Water rolled off of leaves like they were tiny chalices, but blissfully there was little wind to make the weather unbareble. Only the smallest tendrils of cold were permitted entry into the shelter, for most of its warded off by the fire and the miracle of several bodies occupying one, enclosed space. For the most part, the cave did not have very many holes that would create a draft, so the fire's heat was free to disperse and replace the chill.

Sesshoumaru allowed Kagome's immediate scent to dominate his attentions; she made for a good distraction from the sickness in the air. He could detect the shifting details in her smell. There was the spice of her surprise, then the floral smell of her softened demeanor towards Rin.
'A genuine emotion.' Sesshoumaru noted.
But too quickly the smell of her determination became stale, nostalgic, faraway. Was that her displeasure?

Sesshoumaru watched a fox with a dead pheasant in her jaws, its pearly green feathers stained with blood where the killing blow had been struck, rush through the clearing. Presumably, the fox was on her way back to feed her kits.

'Her emotions are a chore to keep track of.' Sesshoumaru flexed and relaxed his long, slender fingers restlessly. 'Even Rin's do not fluctuate this often. One thing I know for certain.'

Sesshoumaru tilted his chin upward and watched the raindrops fall from a different angle. Like a thousand mishapen needles, the rain gently battered the landscape, leaving their moist bruising over previously dry soil.

'She is honest.'


Kagome announced she would be disrobing, and immediately, Jaken began to grumble about a 'lack of modesty in human women' before Sesshoumaru heard him resettling, presumably with his back to the priestess. For a time, there was nothing but silence and pattering rain. Then, Sesshoumaru heard something like the quiet glide of metal, the sound of rummaging hands and belongings knocking together, and then wet clothing hitting the ground.
He could hear her changing. Did all human women require modesty or was Kagome yet again, a complete anomaly?

The rustling ceased and was replaced by a sharp scream.

Sesshoumaru whirled around, claws raised and in an eyeblink, he was beside Kagome and Jaken had been bowled over. The dog youkai sought a threat but all his eyes found were two tiny ones not even ankle high. A mouse.

A priestess, who'd fired arrows at him without hesitation. A priestess, who had the backbone to stand against Naraku with the slightest twinge of fear in her scent. A priestess, capable of purifying even powerful demons...and she was screaming in terror at a rodent.

Sesshoumaru huffed, and the mouse bolted from the cave as fast as its tiny legs could carry it. The youkai lord slowly looked to Kagome and cocked a brow, announcing a wordless '...Really?'

[Kaytyee]

xx

Kagome felt how the air had quickly moved from how fast Sesshomaru had gotten to her side after that scream had left her lips. Her brown eyes were still on the beady black eyes of the mouse before it seemed to run off in doubt terror from the dog youkai. Once it was out her sight she had let out a breath that she hadn’t realized she’d be holding. “Thank you.” She breathed out before looking up to his yellow eyes, seeing the expression he was giving her. “What? They’re creepy.” She stated with a slight shudder at the thought of the mouse.

It honestly surprised the young teen how quickly Sesshomaru was to move to her aid. The scream had barely even left her lips and he had been right there beside her, ready to get rid of any threat that was near. Was he always that quick to react? She had no doubt the dog lord was that protective over the sick girl laying by the fire. Placing a gentle hand on Sesshomaru’s arm she gave him a genuine smile. “But seriously, thanks for getting it away from me.” She said with a nod of her head before she turned to go attend to the medicine she was brewing for Rin.

Carefully moving the pot from the fire she let it sit to cool down. Her gaze went back over to Sesshomaru for a moment. She knew almost for certain that the dog lord was judging her for being scared of a mouse. She had shot arrows at him before without the slightest bit of hesitation. The one arrow had actually broke his armor. She shot arrows and faced Narku with the least bit of fear but there was something creepy about those rodents and insects. The young girl couldn’t quite place her hand on what it was about them. It made her think of the time she was in the field with Jinenji and there was a worm on the plant she was by. She had freaked out then too but Jinenji had been there to get the insect away from her.

Once the medicine cooled down Kagome went digging in her backpack, pulling out a small cup. Pouring some into it she got up from where she was crouching and moved to Rin. She looked absolutely terrible, whatever sickness had overcome her small body it was winning the battle as of right now. “Here you go Rin. It might not taste the best but I swear it should help you. Then you need to get some sleep to let it work okay?” She gave the girl a caring smile before moving Rin’s bangs from her eyes.

Waiting for Rin to finish the medicine in the cup, Kagome busied herself with putting the the remaining medicine from the pot into a small container from her backpack. That way there would be a few more dosages for the girl if she needed more. Once that was all said and done she sat down, resting her back against the yellow bag that was leaned against the wall of the cave.

[Hobbit Cat]

殺生丸

Kagome had touched him for the first time since they'd met. Even with the use of his poison claws against her during the fight in Father's grave, he'd not directly touched her. The broach of his physical barriers provided further insight into the girl. Her touch was pure, almost uncomfortably so.

'If she trained enough, she might even stand against I, Sesshoumaru.'
The thought twinged. To think, he could consider a young human woman as a potential threat.

'Calm your instincts.' He told himself. Sesshoumaru was in no threat of purification.

Rin soon held Kagome's focus again. Sesshoumaru watched her mouth pucker, her eyes squeeze and her face bunch into poorly concealed disgust. Rin swallowed thickly and craved the taste of something sweet. Sesshoumaru's arm felt warm.
“Thank you so much for the medicine, Miss Kagome.” Rin smiled. The bitter taste of an herbal cocktail stuck in her mouth but she was grateful. Rin wiggled down deeper into Kagome's sleeping bag.

Sesshoumaru's eyes flicked Kagome's way, then quickly away. Was the girl cold? It would be troublesome if the priestess he'd chosen to heal his young charge fell ill as well. He could barely endure Inuyasha's regular feeble attempts at 'conversing' in battle. If Kagome became sick whilst in Sesshoumaru's charge, he would never hear the end of it the next time they met up. The demon seated himself on a boulder closer to the mouth of the cave. Several pairs of glowing eyes peered out from the shadows of night-lit trees still clinging to daytime visibility. Jaken had conked out in the corner of the cave, his head leaned against his staff. Surely a mark would be imprinted on his face in the morning from it. He snored lightly, and Ah-Un stirred very little while they continued their vigil over little Rin as she rested too.

The dog youkai cast his protective gaze over his 'pack', honouring Kagome with a brief glance. Another survey over them, and then he was looking outside again into the deepening dark.

[Kaytyee]

xx

Kagome watched as Rin’s face puckered from the taste of the medicine. Offering the girl a sympathetic smile she nodded some. “It’s no problem Rin… I’m just sorry it doesn’t taste that good.” The black haired teen said sincerely. Watching as the young girl nestled deeper into the sleeping bag Kagome smiled before letting her eyes wander away from her. She was just glad she was able to help Rin in some sort of way, she barely knew the girl and it worried her seeing her so ill. And despite the girl’s companions being demons she was sure the two were worried to some extent as well.

Looking over towards the imp demon he was fast asleep. She could hear the light snore coming from him, and the dragons were wrapped around Rin protectively also fast asleep. It was night time, and well she was feeling tired as well but for some reason Kagome couldn’t seem to fall asleep. A chill ran down her spine. Though there was a fire, and the cave was small enough she had grown so used to sleeping in the extra warmth of her sleeping bag. Not only that, but Shippo had always been cuddled up right beside her as well.

Closing her brown eyes Kagome tried her best to fall asleep but it just was no use quite yet. Letting out a soft sigh she opened her eyes, her arms crossed in front of her body for extra warmth. Looking towards the mouth of the cave she watched Sesshomaru’s back as he sat on the top of the boulder. Did he sleep? Surely everyone needed sleep… even demons. And yet he sat there, watching the darkness outside of the cave. Everything seemed so serene oddly enough, despite knowing how dangerous the dog lord was.

From spending just the few hours with the company Kagome had noticed how calm Sesshomaru was how there never seemed to be a panic—despite the mouse that had come earlier—but even then, it wasn’t at all a panic for him he had simply reacted. He had fast movements, but she knew that from before. Maybe she was just more aware of it now. She could remember the time she shot a sacred arrow at him and he had caught it between his two fingers, not even phased by it.

It was no wonder almost every demon was scared of the dog youkai. He had unbelievable power, and all the fights she had seen, except for the one in his fathers grave and the time Inuyasha had managed to use the wind scar he hadn’t struggled. He seemed at completely at ease as though fights were nothing to the demon. But the longer she stayed in his company the more she saw a slightly softer side of him… if it was even possible. Looking back to where Rin was sleeping a small smile touched her lips. “You care a lot about Rin, I’m glad you came for my help with her sickness.” She murmured.

[Hobbit Cat]

殺生丸

“You were convenient, that is all.” Sesshoumaru replied. He watched the trees sway together as the wind picked up. Rain battered the mountainside but thankfully kept away from those huddled far enough in the cave. The dropping temperatures however...Kagome was clearly affected. Out of the corner of his eye, Sesshoumaru spied goose-flesh rising on the girl's smooth legs. He'd never seen a mortal so common be so well groomed. He felt curious as to what they would feel like under his hand.

Sesshoumaru rose fluidly and crossed the cave on footsteps so silent they might as well have not existed. He stood before Kagome with unreadable eyes, then unwound his fur from his shoulders, tossing it into her lap.
“Rest, priestess.” He said, tone too bland to be an order “You will not succumb to chill under my protection.”

His chin was raised, and his pitiless eyes guarded. He turned tail once again to take up his night time vigil.
“And do not mistake my intentions for benevolence or 'friendship'.”

'You care a lot about Rin.'

Amber eyes formed petulant slits as he glowered sourly outside. His index finger smoothed short, restless lines into the stone below him, the tip of its claw scraping soundlessly. Suddenly, his mind clambered for the sunrise and Rin's recovery. Kagome vexed him.

[Kaytyee]

xx

Warm brown eyes blinked a few times as the dog lord was suddenly in front of her. Looking up from his feet, following the tall length of his body before reaching his golden gaze. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking from his gaze, but then again most times she hadn’t been able to whenever she did see him. Kagome didn’t know him on that sort of level that she’d know how he was feeling or thinking just from his eyes. It was easy enough with Inuyasha, his eyes were like a complete open book. The guilt in the half demon’s eyes when he saw Kikyo, the worry whenever she got in trouble or was in risk of getting hurt. The determination in those eyes whenever they faced Naraku. But this full blooded demon in front of her now, she hadn’t the slightest idea what was crossing his mind.

As he unwrapped the fur from his shoulder a slightly confused look crossed his features. What was he doing? She had never once seen him without that fur wrapped so effortlessly around him. As it dropped into her lap she looked down to it. It felt so soft against her skin and it was so warm. Listening to his words she looked up from the fur to him with a soft smile on her lips. Even though he told her not to mistake his intentions she couldn’t help but to think it was a nice gesture. “Thanks…” her voice was quiet. Moving to get more comfortable she covered herself with the fur as she watched the inu yokai walk back to where he had previously been. With a smile on her lips she let her eyes close as she succumbed to the tiredness that was pushing at her.

As the morning came around Kagome found herself nuzzling deeper into the warmth around her before sleepy brown eyes slowly opened. Taking stock of her surroundings she gathered she was in a cave, and she half expected to see Inuyasha or Shippo nearby, but instead was greeted by a green imp, a young girl in her sleeping back surrounded by the two headed dragon. That was right…. She was with Sesshomaru’s group and not with her friends. Moving into a more sitting position she covered her mouth as a yawn passed by before rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Glancing down to what was keeping her warm a small smile touched her lips.

Getting up to her feet she had the fur folded in her arms as she moved over to the dog lord, holding it back out to him. “Thanks again Sesshomaru. I wasn’t cold at all last night.” She said with a slight nod of her head before her gaze went over to where Rin was, hoping to see her in a better mood than yesterday. Moving to her backpack she pulled out a small brush to help get rid of the knots and tame her hair. It would be amazing if they moved from the cave today and found hot springs... and she was sure Rin would probably benefit from a hot bath.

[Hobbit Cat]

殺生丸

Morning broke with sporadic cloud-cover and a fine mist weaving in and out of the trees. Beads of moisture clung to leaves like tiny gems, and songbirds ventured forth into the clean air, chirping their early songs to the rising sun.

A good many leagues away from the cave, where the terrain flattened and the tree density lessened, a small herd of deer-- two does, a buck and four fuzzy fawns-- grazed on sweet grazes and tree leaves in a clearing which windowed vast peridot fields. One of the bucks dipped his head, and his antlers nudged the branches of a wine-berry bush, sending a few ruby morsels tumbling to the ground. A doe-mother licked the side of her fawn's face as the little one lifted his head.

Suddenly, a green whip of light flashed through the clearing. A doe hit the ground with a dull thud. The rest of the herd fled in panic, the little one struggling to keep up the pace. Blood leaked from a neat laceration across the deer's neck. Amber eyes flashed with primal triumph and hunger.

- - - - -

Rin cracked her eyes open once the sun broached the darkness of their cavern chelter. She rubbed them, and sat up groaning groggily. She stifled a cough into two cupped hands, then wiped her mouth with her knuckles. She looked to the left and found Jaken still sound asleep swaddled in the abandoned skins and kimono Rin had been using before. The Staff of Two heads sat on the ground beside him, the woman's eery wooden face staring directly her way. Rin looked to the right next.

Outside, she could hear the wind taking its first humble breath. She wriggled out of Kagome's sleeping bag and slowly, tried standing up. Rin steadied herself with her arms spread like the wings of a seagull floating on an ocean breeze. So far so good; she hadn't gotten dizzy enough to fall! Rin fixed the collar of her lopsided kimono, then tightened her crudely knotted obi. Normally her Lord Sesshoumaru would take one look at her handiwork, huff and fix it to look more presentable but she guessed by his absence that the demon was out hunting.

Rin smiled when she stepped outside. Even if its was still very wet, she loved the feeling of grass beneath her bare feet. The little girl still looked a little pale, and couldn't stop the coughs that left her reeling, but the fresh air did wonders.

When a shape all in white returned on a cloud of youki, Rin bolted back inside. Would he scold her for being up already? Not if she got into bed again first! The little girl caught sight of Kagome running a strange comb through her pretty hair, put a finger to her lips and smiled, before another cough snuck out.

“Rin.” Sesshoumaru's reprimanding baritone filled the cave. The girl couldn't stop the giggles that poured into fleecy material of the sleeping bag's lining.
“Do not get up again until the priestess deems you fit. Understood?”

Rin nodded but her energetic smile had returned, even if her nose was a little red and her eyes were a little baggy.

Sesshoumaru dropped the dead doe in a corner of the cave. Rin seemed unphased by the wet thump the dead game made. Sesshoumaru's eyes sought Kagome's a good several moments after she'd thanked him. His gaze lingered longer than he would have prefered, and he directed his eyes down again at the doe. He began to clean his kill, more for the benefit of the humans who'd be sharing the meat than his own. He huffed.

[Kaytyee]

xx

Kagome smiled as she watched Rin come barreling back into the cave and straight to the sleeping bag. Seeing her signal the young teen nodded her head slightly before finishing brushing her hair and putting it away. Hearing Rin’s name coming from Sesshomaru she glanced over to the dog lord before her nose scrunched up with a smile as she looked over to the little girl. It was clear she was feeling much better compared to yesterday. She was able to get up and run around even if she did still have coughing fits and her little nose was still red and running. But it was good to see her running around and smiling again.

“You’re clearly feeling a lot better Rin. So as long as you don’t overdo it you should be fine to play about. But as soon as you start feeling out of breath or start coughing to much I’d take a break.” Kagome stated, watching over Rin carefully to make sure she was actually as good as she felt currently. “But now you have the choice of either the medicine I made last night, or another one of those candies from my backpack. Both will work just fine.” Picking up the container in one hand and the packet of cough candies in the other hand she held them out to the girl. “Your choice.” She smiled.

Watching as the girl reached for the cough candies, Kagome gladly handed them over to her. “Then tonight you’ll have to take the medicine that was made okay?” Putting the container down by her backpack she got up off the ground. Brushing off her green skirt of the dirt she let her gaze wander over to the dog lord. So he had went and got the doe for them to eat? So he was actually a nice being under that tough exterior of his, whether he admitted it or not.

Her gaze went away from Sesshomaru, looking out the mouth of the cave as something washed over her. Her face went pale as she moved from where she was, moving to the mouth of the cave to look in the direction of the immense energy. It was close by, and getting closer. It wasn’t Naraku, she knew that much but whoever—or whatever it was, was dangerous. Her eyes darted back to her backpack, only to realize she didn’t have her bow or arrows with her. She then looked towards the dog lord. “What do you think it is?” She asked, figuring he could feel the same thing she was.

[Hobbit Cat]

殺生丸

Jaken started away as strong youki rammed against his senses. The imp fumbled around for his staff in a panic, and Rin whimpered. Once the imp had righted himself, even if his hat was lopsided, he stood between Rin the cave enterance. Pulses of demonic energy, like a taunt changed the scent of the wind. Even Rin felt it.

Sesshoumaru rose wordlessly, his claws dripped in doe's blood. He burned the blood from his talons and crossed to the mouth of the cave. He scented the air, peeling away layers of scent.

“Human blood is on the wind.” Sesshoumaru said “And it is fresh.”

Sesshoumaru took off flying, and his facial features were stiff and far more solemn than usual; a furrow weighed down his brow.

“L-Lord Sesshoumaru!” Jaken gawked “W-Wait for me!”

“Watch over Rin.” The dog lord called back without looking.

But before Sesshoumaru could get too far away, Rin was on her feet. Worry sat in her eyes. What was making her skin crawl? She wasn't certain if this was her illness or the youki clashing violently in the air but her stomach churned terribly. Ah-Un chirred and stood behind the little girl, both of their heads exchanging glances. They felt the youki, too.

“Where do you think... Lord Sesshoumaru...?” Rin trailed off, staring at his steadily vanishing figure on the horizen. She turned immediately to Kagome, seeking answers.
“I...I'm scared, Kagome.”

- - - - -

A good fifteen minutes away, Sesshoumaru found what he deemed the beginning of this faceless being's desolation. Bodies, some hacked in half and others beheaded sat in gorey pieces in the grass. Somehow, the early Spring sun made the blood stained dirt appear darker, like tar. Sesshoumaru only spared the dead samurai a passing glance in all of their broken glory. He doubted a single one had time for even their parting poetry before their annihilation.

The field spread out wider the further distance Sesshoumaru put between himself and the forest to his back. The body count only continued to grow. Sesshoumaru sniffed the air and lifted his eyes. Smoke rose from a humble fishing village tucked against a narrow river with a rocky shore. He could hear the screams of dying women from a good half a kilometre away.

'This is not Naraku...and I recognise this scent. It is old and powerful,' Sesshoumaru mused. His sleeves and fur fluttered like a war banner in his tailwind.
'It reminds me of...but that could not be. Father killed him long ago.'

A burst of cloud blotted out the sun again briefly, and a small cluster of humans gathered together in panic. A mother carried her little boy in her arms and ran on naked feet. She had been sprayed with blood. An old man cried out for mercy from the Gods and clutched his prayer beads. Sesshoumaru doubted the old man would make it. He was weak.

Sure enough, a flash of purple lightening tore through half the fleeing survivors. The air reeked of burnt flesh.

The mother and her child, one of five left fleeing the village, burst into tears and kept running, her protective hold on her confused, shell-shocked child tightening. The checkered headscarf she wore flew from her head, and her hair sprung loose, tangled and unmanageble.

An armoured boot planted itself on the severed head of a farm and crushed it easily.
“Still scurrying away?” A deep, smokey voice chuckled. The tall form of a man with shoulder length pewter hair stepped into visibility, and he was covered in the blood of his kills. The woman dared not turn around and give into his taunts. He would kill her son as he'd killed her husband. He would kill her, too.

The woman gave a cry as another flash of lightening killed the young woman running to her immediate right. Hysteria took hold of the woman's voice.

The young mother heard the youkai at her back laugh.
“You adorable insects.”
Serated teeth spread in an arrogant smirk. A hand clad in a pure black guard raised. Electricity gathered at the end of a curled talon, then fired.

The woman bent down and curled around her child for what she knew would be their last moments. She covered his eyes.

But the end never came.

A shadow stood over her and her son. The boy's eyes had gone dull as if he were daydreaming. The woman shuddered and dared to see what had stopped her death.

A man. A graceful man all in white, who looked as if he'd been sent by the gods themselves. A sword with a diamond shaped tip had absorbed the impact. The woman noticed markings on his cheeks and wrists. He had claws and only one arm. And he was a youkai as well.

“Y-You...” She tried to say.

“Leave.” Sesshoumaru ordered, his frigid gaze fixated on his enemy through settling dust “You are in the way.”

The mother hesitated for only a moment but took off quickly in the direction of the forest.


Clouds of disturbed dirt parted. A barrelchested man with sharp ears and a single stripe of dark red over his eyes stood in the clearing. Long years of experiance swirled in the dark orange depths of his eyes.

“Well...You are like your father after all, whelp. My hypothesis was right.” The dark youkai commented. He lowered his claws, and smiled condescendingly at Sesshoumaru as if he were nothing more than a child.
“All I had to do was crush a few bugs and you'd rush out in a panic to save them. Even if you try to come across as a pitiless b*****d you're nothing more than the soft-hearted fool I'd heard about. How is your old man, by the way? Feeding the worms well?”

Sesshoumaru face relaxed into absolute neutrality-- all save for his eyes. They burned with the utmost lust for murder.