Chapter 2
Sesshoumaru had been so frustrating for the past few days. He never spoke, unless he was ordering someone around, or they asked a question that could have a two-word answer. Kagome had offered him food, blankets, and whatever else he might need, and he blew her off completely every time. He made her so mad, and the only way to cool down was to seethe inside. And that was not very healthy.
As the group traveled, Kagome watched Rin ride the large dragon. The creature was really sweet, making sure that the little girl was both safe and comfortable, unlike some demons that kept their company. At night, when they were going to bed, he would watch over the camp, even though Sesshoumaru was already doing so.
The first few days that Kagome was there, she would ask Rin if she knew where they were going. Not once had the girl answered 'yes,' but she said that wherever they went, it was for 'Lord Sesshoumaru.' She did not see how the girl had become so attached to the demon, but guessed he was using demon magic.
The two females had become close during the time they spent together. And through that time, Kagome had found out three important things about Rin. The first was that she absolutely adored Sesshoumaru, though the demon lord never seemed to notice anything. The second thing was that she loved to pick flowers. Every time they stopped by a patch, the young girl would grab some, giving a few to her, some to Jaken, and the rest to Ah-Un, who just ate them.
The last thing was that Rin loved to sing, and it bothered Kagome slightly. Not the singing part; it was what the girl was singing. Every time she opened her mouth to make a musical note, it would be about Sesshoumaru. Sometimes it would be about how great he was, or how beautiful he was. On and on. Constantly about the demon that currently walked in front of them.
On occasion, Sesshoumaru would ask Rin to stop, and she would. But not an hour later, she would pick up where she stopped. Kagome would have told her to stop as well, but it was an awkward thing to ask. She could just hear her self. 'Rin, could you stop singing about that self centered demon. If you continue on, I think his ego will bust.' She almost had to stop her self from giggling.
Kagome knew that Sesshoumaru was not entirely self-centered, though he did seem like it, so the thought was funny. Plus it added to her hate for him, and she needed to hate someone. Jaken was way too easy to hate, and she wanted a challenge. There were many things to 'hate' about Sesshoumaru, but most of it was in all reality, jealousy. He had perfect hair, and with what she could tell, a good body, and a nice face… The list could easily go on for hours.
Gripping her bag tighter than needed, Kagome purposefully dragged her self out of her thoughts. If she kept up with it, she would start drooling over Sesshoumaru, and that was the last thing she wanted. Most likely he thought she was a freak, and in a way she was, but drooling would make it worse. It's what dogs do. Except maybe him. Unfortunately for Inuyasha, Kagome had caught him slobbering at the mouth a couple times. It was humorous, and she really wanted to take a picture, but he snatched the camera and broke it.
Inuyasha… Kagome missed her friends greatly. They kept her company, and had things in common with her. Its not that she did not like her present companions, it was just that she would prefer to at least know something about someone other than that they were completely obsessed about someone else.
Rin actually reminded Kagome a lot about Shippou. The small fox was happy to do anything for those he cared about, though not to the same extreme as Rin. She would have brought the small male with her, but feared that he might cause problems that would end up getting both of them killed.
At that second, he was most likely sad about her being gone. Miroku and Sango were probably trying to cheer him up. They did that all the time. Sango would be motherly to Shippou, while Miroku would give him positive logic. They made such a good couple. It was funny, really. It took forever for them to realize that they loved each other, and while nothing too noticeable had changed between them, they became very much in tune with each other, always acting more like one unit than a couple. It was romantic; Kagome could only be jealous of them.
She had always wanted to fall in love with someone. She thought that it would be with Inuyasha, but he was so closed off, never telling her how he felt. It got worse after Kikyou had truly died, for the final time. It might have been the fact that he had gone through so much heartbreak, that he did not want to go through it again, but she had gone through her own hardships and she still wanted to fall in love and know what it was like to have her love returned.
"Kagome, are you alright?" Her head shot up at hearing the question. She looked around, finding Rin looking at her curiously
"What?"
"Are you alright? You spaced out."
"Yeah, I was just thinking." Looking in front of her, Kagome noticed Sesshoumaru had disappeared. "Where'd Sesshoumaru go?"
Rin's face took on a thoughtful look. "He left. Didn't you see him?"
Kagome shook her head 'no.'
Jaken was in front, leading the group. His brow was furrowed, and the staff that was normally upright, seemed to be a bit more crooked, and hit the ground every couple of steps. He looked depressed, like he did not want to be there. Sucks for him.
A light buzzing drew Kagome's attention away from the imp. She looked to the skies, the source of the noise. Through the branches of the trees that had provided them shade thus far were several Saimyoushou, flying about, watching them.
"Jaken," Kagome called, still looking at the insects. "Jaken!"
Rin seemed to take notice as well, and screamed, fear evident in her face. She even almost fell off of Ah-un.
"Quiet you." He turned around to look at those behind him. Just after he did this, his lack of multi-tasking jumped in. and he tripped over a rock, falling on his back. His staff went flying.
Looking up, he finally noticed the flying insects. His eyes narrowed, and he looked as if he had seen an old enemy. He looked ready to kill.
Running over to grab his staff, the imp jumped up, and somehow made fire shoot out of the old man's head on the top of the wooden structure. Kagome could feel the heat coming from the flame and jumped back, running over to where Rin sat.
Jaken got a few of them, but the heat drove the remaining into a fury that was like no other. Immediately, the swarm charged after the imp, most of them being devoured by the flame.
One of them was able to get past the inferno, going right after Jaken's face. Not noticing it, the imp was stung in the face. He instantly dropped his staff, trying to grab the stinger out. "Take it out! Take it out!" He waved his arms around. Rin rushed over to him and tried to take out the stinger that was left in. Unfortunately the stinger sunk into his skin, forever lost in his head.
The remaining Saimyoushou tried to dive bomb the girl and her demon master. Kagome saw her opportunity to help, grabbed her bow and an arrow and let loose a wave of purification, killing off the remaining bugs.
Running over to Jaken and Rin, Kagome looked him over. The area looked as if it were a giant zit, puss starting to ooze out, and the skin a purplish color. The older girl knew that the area was infected and had to be treated as soon as possible.
"Master Jaken," Rin cried out, tears rimming in her eyes. "Not again! You're not going to die, are you?" The imp made no move to reinsure the girl about his death. He continued to groan and mumble about serving Sesshoumaru and how he died pitifully trying to save humans from something as low as bugs.
"Is there anything I can do?" Kagome never liked to see anyone hurt, even if they did smell. If Jaken died, Rin would be greatly upset, and she had a feeling that the girl would go into some form of depression would eventually lead to her death. Not only that, but Sesshoumaru would be pissed as the thought that his servant died just a few days after she had joined the group, and that did not bode well with Kagome. She had to make sure that her life went as smoothly as possibly with the demon lord.
Rin grabbed her hand, and drudged over to the dragon. "We need to go see the herb demon. Right, Master Jaken?" There were still tears in her eyes, but also a new resolve that glowed, giving her an older look. The teen did not know whom she was talking about but had a feeling that it might be Jinenji.
Jaken looked absolutely pathetic. He sat in the dirt, his yellow eyes bulging out of his head, looking at his two companions. He knew he was going to die, but also knew that both the girls could easily take care of him, and get the herb.
When Rin climbed on Ah-Un, Kagome called to her. "Rin, wait! How about you stay here with Jaken, and I go get the herbs." When she saw that the girl was going to protest, she stopped her. "It would be best if someone watched over him and someone else go and get the medicine." Giving the child her bag, telling her how to make sure the imp would be in little pain, she left to get the herbs.
Jaken watched the interaction between the two females, and would have complained about being treated like he was not even there, but then realized that he was getting his much needed attention. When Kagome left on Ah-Un, he started to groan, gaining the notice of Rin.
It had been the worse time in his life. No matter what happened he would be miserable, and the only way to stop it was for Kagome to come back to him.
He should have never treated her so badly all the times he did. The girl should have been cared for and loved and respected instead of being left unprotected when she needed it most.
But here he was, waiting for Sango to come back and tell how Kagome was doing. He just hoped she was doing well, even if she was with his brother.
As the wind blew past her face, Kagome noticed that Ah-Un traveled much like Kirara. He was fast, moving his legs, as if walking in the air. She had to admit, she respected the dragon. He took care of Rin when she was left alone, and provided a good transport.
"Do you know where we are going?" At the nod of the creature, she grabbed the reigns, and tried to drive him faster. He threw his right head back, shaking his mane in her face. He seemed annoyed with her.
Kagome was not going somewhere she most likely did not know for Jaken…well maybe a little, but not enough to matter. Kagome was mostly doing it for Rin. She knew the girl was close to the imp, and would most likely go as far as to die for him. It was amazing how attached the girl got to people. She wondered if Rin would ever become that fond of her. Of course that might lead some complications when she had to leave. But that most likely would happen much later on.
The area that the two traveled around looked awfully familiar. It took a while, but then it hit her. It was the village that Jinenji lived in. It would be wonderful to see an old face again, and if she knew it was him, she would have brought him some jerky, though they were running low.
Normally Kagome would have a variety of food, but she lost most of it in her last fight with Naraku. Afterwards, Sango brought her three weeks worth of jerky, but both Jaken and Rin enjoyed it a lot, so there was only enough for a few more days.
Landing near the familiar patch of herbs, Kagome jumped off of Ah-Un, and rushed happily to the hut where her friend lived.
"Jinenji, are you here?" After a few seconds the tall, but mutilated demon appeared outside. Warmth flooded her. It was so great to see him. The last time his face graced her eyes, was about six months ago.
Every scar and odd bump was placed into her mind so that she knew that he would always have a place in her heart. Him and everybody else, no matter what time, would always have their face engraved so that she would never forget the memories that they gave her.
"Kagome, how are you?" he asked, his unusual voice bringing back fond memories about times that he had helped save the lives of many.
She nodded, and gave him her biggest smile, telling him she was fine. Even though staying with Sesshoumaru was not the greatest thing, she was content with how her life was going at the moment.
Jinenji's blue eyes looked around, trying to find the someone that was not there. "Where is Inuyasha?" As soon as the words left his mouth, her face fell.
She knew that it was best that she did not lose face in front of the half-demon. It would make him feel awkward, and he might even start to hate himself for causing her mental pain.
"I am not able to travel with him." Kagome tried to end the subject, and Jinenji seemed to realize that. Both briskly walked into his home.
The hut was small, but had a warm homely feel to it. The fire created the warmth, while the few personal things that dotted the room made it seem lively and livable. If her own family lived in this time, this would be the place that she would want to live.
As soon as the half-demon took a seat in the back of the room, Kagome jumped right into business. "Do you have any plant that could help a demon from Saimyoushou poisoning? I have a," She stopped, thinking about what to consider Jaken. "Friend that took some nasty stings."
Light flooded the hut as Jinenji's mother walked in, a hoe resting on her shoulder. The way that the light framed her figure and the dirt that covered her face, the woman looked as though she had risen from the dead.
"Are you smitten with a demon?" she asked suddenly. Knowing the old woman, she would start to rant and rave about her old lover, the father of the half-demon in the room.
Jinenji just sighed.
"There was a girl that came here about a year ago asking for the same thing. I think she was in love with the demon that she got the herb for." Kagome's ears tuned in as soon as she heard the words. The male seemed to have noticed her interest, his focusing shifting from his mother to the girl in front of him.
The words that flew from the woman's mouth got Kagome's brain turning. Rin had said 'not again', meaning that the stinging had happened before. The girl was most likely the one that Jinenji's mother was talking about.
It really was a small world.
"Do you have the same plant that you gave her?" It would help so much if they did, otherwise she would most likely have to go and get it herself, and that might take a while. She did not know how much time she had before Jaken would die. That thought was not that bad, but she had to remember about Rin.
Jinenji shifted a little, drawing Kagome's attention. The half demon had reached for a pot behind him, pulling out a red flower. "We have been keeping these around since the girl came." He shook his head remembering how she had gone off on her own to save her demon friend. "I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me."
As soon as the flower was placed into her hands, Kagome said a quick 'thank you', running out of the hut to make it to the dragon as fast as she could.
It only took about an hour to get to Jaken and Rin. The little imp was making obviously fake noises, while Rin sat by him, crying, thinking he was going to die.
Getting off of the dragon, she handed the herb the green creature, who snarffled it in a matter of seconds, and sat in the dirt next to Rin. Pulling the girl into her lap, Kagome started to rub small circles on her back. Only a few hiccups were heard from the child as she calmed down and eventually fell asleep. Jaken meant a lot to Rin, but still, the small green creature treated her with little kindness. Kagome knew that in the darkness of his heart, the imp made her cry.
Giving him a cold look, she left Rin where she was and grabbed a blanket from her bag. Wrapping her up, Kagome started to build a fire next to the path. It was still midday, but it started to get cold, and she figured that there would be a storm coming in the next few days. She had learned to predict the weather not even a year after she had fallen down the well. It was a good gift, and she treasured it dearly.
It was night before Sesshoumaru returned.
Both Rin and Jaken had fallen asleep, leaving Kagome without a blanket to keep her self warm, so she was close to the fire. When she looked up from the passionate dance of flames in front of her to the golden eyes of the demon lord, she almost fell over with the intensity of it all.
She could never handle too much.
He regarded her with much more interest than she thought her could possible have. His eyes flashed with some unknown emotion, though Kagome could have sworn it was curiosity more than anything else. It made her uneasy that his eyes could look so different when it came to showing emotions, but it might have been whatever control Sesshoumaru had over himself.
"Why do you constantly sacrifice yourself?" His voice was sudden, almost unnerving at how random it was. Kagome was still not use to hearing his voice, even after the past few days.
His eyes blazed with gods knows what, and she had to admit, it made him look quite handsome.
"What do you mean?" To Kagome, his words made no sense. She did not constantly sacrifice herself. She might have given away time or objects to those who were less fortunate, but never did she go to far out of way to make sure someone was comfortable. She knew that it could lead her to becoming a pushover, and that was the last thing she was.
Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed again, but this time she did not know what the darkened color meant. "Why are you here?" This new question took her by surprise more than the last one. For some reason, Kagome was convinced he was up to something, using his lack of emotion to his advantage.
Normally she would have answered him before he could speak again, but he get to it before her. "Come, we must talk." He moved away from the path that the others were sleeping by, and into the woods that were only mere feet from the fire.
The demon lord was really confusing Kagome. She had never known him to be so erratic before, and she had a feeling something was wrong, instead of him being up to something.
The woods were dark, adding to the ominous mood that drifted thru the trees. There was some kind of presence, not Sesshoumaru, that made Kagome fear being out there, but she ignored it, knowing it was pointless to fear while she was in the company of the demon lord.
Unless it was of the lord himself.
She followed him until he sat under a tree a good distance from the rest of the group. She sat several feet from him, trying to keep her space. The bark of the tree behind her dug into her back, pinching some of her skin. She hoped he would not take too long.
She could not see his face in the darkness, giving her an odd sensation that Sesshoumaru should not be trusted. Kagome had never feared the demon lord like she did that minute. She knew that he was acting odd, and would likely be unpredictable. For all she knew, he would kill her, taking her far away from the group so that they would not find her body, though she doubted that anyone would care if she died.
"Naraku gave me a visit today." His voice was calm, deep, demanding to be listened to, and that was what Kagome did. Naraku talking to Sesshoumaru did not bode well with Kagome at all. It meant more trouble for everybody.
"He informed me of your curse." At his words, a gasp arose from her.
She did not think that the half demon would tell Sesshoumaru about her problems, unless he was up to some evil. Knowing Naraku, the only person that would benefit from Sesshoumaru knowing about her little curse would be the half demon himself.
Life was far too…too…ger.