Chapter 2
Slowly coming to her feet, Kagome straightened and took a deep breath. She began to second guess herself. What was she thinking? Sesshomaru wasn't the type to accept anything from anyone, let alone someone like her, a human. And yet, she felt compelled to do this. She was a naturally kind and caring person but she sensed that this was something that she really needed to do, not just because it was a thoughtful gesture but that it had an effect on something else entirely.
It was quite dark outside. She couldn't see a thing beyond the reach of the glowing flames from the fire. But she had no fear of the dark, it wasn't what should be feared. It was what lurked in those pitch black shadows that you had to watch out for and if you were smart, the darkness could aid you at times. Besides, Kagome had learned by now how to sense when there was something sinister lurking and she had no such feelings at the moment. Sesshomaru had no intention of harming her.
Now resolved, and with food in hand, Kagome turned to make her way to the edge of the woods. Blindly feeling her way along the uneven turf, she tread a straight line toward the spot where Sesshomaru sat, stumbling a few times along the way. Finally reaching the edge of the wood, Kagome still could not see where he sat exactly. The moon was not shining and the cover of the trees would have blocked any light that it could have offered anyway.
Taking a few steps in and to her left, Kagome suddenly heard a sound several yards behind her. Turning swiftly, she focused her gaze in the direction of the noise and saw movement. Yellow eyes glowed back at her.
"Sesshomaru, I…..brought you something to eat," Kagome said, quietly holding out her packages in offering.
He was sitting cross-legged, hands on his knees and back straight, staring straight into her eyes and offering no conversation. Timidly, she stepped forward, slowly closing the distance between them. When she stood with her feet mere inches from his, Kagome spoke again, this time with a little more certainty in her words.
"You must be hungry. Shippo cooked up the fish that we caught earlier and I thought I should probably bring some of it over here for you before Inuyasha decided to gorge himself on it just for the sake of keeping you from having any. He's been particularly childish lately, so I wouldn't put it past him."
With that said, Kagome placed the two items she had been carrying on the ground directly in front of Sesshomaru, took a small step back, and waited in silence. Fine, if he wants to give me his usual silent treatment I can just wait it out. He's got to say something eventually. The entire time she had been speaking, Sesshomaru hadn't looked away from her face but now he slowly drew his gaze away and rested it on the items in front of him.
"What is the other?" his deep voice rumbled, breaking the silence at last.
"What is what other?" she replied.
"You wrapped fish in that cloth there," he said nodding down at the linen covered parcel, "but you took the other from your bag before that. What is in it?"
That took her by surprise. If he had seen her take the one package from her bag that meant he had to have been watching her. Why would he be watching me? Has he been watching me the whole time?
"I….had a rice ball wrapped already from yesterday. I thought that you might like something other than just the fish. Although it's good, it's not much of a meal by itself. Not for someone like you anyway," She quickly added.
"And that's supposed to mean what exactly?" Sesshomaru said lifting one silver eyebrow.
"I didn't mean…Only that…uh…you know…that guys need more food. Guys like you and Inuyasha, who're strong and use a lot of energy in combat. I know that Inuyasha is always starving after a fight and demanding that I get him something to eat so I thought that you'd be even more..." this last was cut off by Sesshomaru as he gave a rare show of emotion. Springing himself up to his full height he loomed menacingly over Kagome.
"Do not compare me to my half-demon sibling. I am nothing like him. You would do well to remember that girl."
Tears stung at her eyes but she held her ground saying, "Fine, do what you want with the food then. I was just trying to be nice. You're right, you're nothing like him and I shouldn't have expected you to be capable of saying a simple 'thank you' to someone that you obviously despise so much. I don't know why I even bothered."
She managed to stare at him, eyes narrowed to slits, for two seconds longer before turning, intending to walk back the way she came. After only two steps though she heard him, barely above a whisper say,
"He does not deserve you." Kagome turned at this and blinking owlishly, she simply stood there for a few seconds, stunned, until she was able to find her voice.
"Excuse me?" She croaked.
"His actions toward you continually prove his lack of respect. He thinks only of himself and his own needs. I did not mean insult to you, only that my brother's behavior toward you is detestable and you should not compare my actions to his. Especially not when a woman like you is concerned."
Am I hearing things now? That sounded oddly enough like a compliment and Kagome couldn't believe her ears. Not knowing what else to say or do in response to that she decided that the best thing to do would be to just go back to camp and go to sleep.
"I have to go," she said simply and turned on her heel again to make her way swiftly back to the others.
Sesshomaru stood where he was, silently watching her departure. Where had that come from? Surely he must be losing his mind. Whatever was going on it was interesting to say the least. His own words seemed to indicate that he had more respect for this mere mortal than he did for his own half-brother and something told him that he should not discount his reaction to her.
After finally seeing her reach the encampment, Sesshomaru noticed that Kagome grabbed her belongings and lay down in a different spot away from Inuyasha. The sight pleased him and this in turn began to unnerve him. He went back to where he was sitting before the unsettling conversation began, but was not able to sit in peace, the events of the few minutes he'd spent with Kagome haunting him.
End Chapter Two
-Thanks all of you that reviewed. Using someone else's characters seems to be more difficult than I expected. Please continue to review and give constructive criticism. If you have any ideas for the following chapters please feel free to offer them. It may make the story that much more enjoyable.
-Mome