A/N: Hello to all my readers! I know it's been a while since I've last updated. I'm sorry for the delay. Lately I've been working on another story of mine, "Sacred & Tainted: A Taiyoukai and Priestess's Tale". Along with my Avatar: The Last Airbender fanfic, "Four Seasons". So I've been pretty busy. Hopefully I'll update soon with chapter 49. Enjoy this chapter and remember to review and comment! Thank you.
Also feel free to read my other stories as well!
Chapter XXXXVIII Rethinking
With little sleep and only enough to afford two rooms, the inu gang plus one Taiyoukai were glad to get out of the cold. The view of a tall, lean Demon Lord sat against the wall. Furthest from the small matched group of his half brother and monk; Sesshomaru kept his distance. Thoughts of the miko just in the other room plagued his mind. These mixed emotions stirred in him like never before. He was almost blinded by his most recently actions towards the girl. Lustful acts and small forms of affection were controlling the demon. Somehow it felt natural yet so forbidden to Sesshomaru. All his life he had to be the best. To be the fastest, the strongest, the most intelligent. To take the burden of his father's legacy at a young ripe age of a thousand years… Supreme power at his fingertips…No one dared to challenge him-if they did dire consequences were to be arranged in his name and his title. All expect one person…One priestess, a mere mortal took him on and changed his life forever.
Sesshomaru thought over his relationship with the girl. In a way it almost sicken him from his lack of control yet he never felt more free…To ever feel, 'happy'.
Kagome made him feel things he'd never admit to anyone, maybe not even to himself.
The Demon lord narrowed his eyes, 'How could she ever make me. Lord of the Western Lands? Feel this way…' Sesshomaru thought as the only word came to mind.
Vulnerable…
Sesshomaru has opened more to her than any other neither person nor thing. Yet why does it bother him so? Why now does he think of these things? Could he in fact doubt his love for the human girl? Or perhaps she is his weakness?
Whatever the reason, it aggravated Sesshomaru to no end.
Closing his eyes, the demon lord tried to clear his mind and made a resolution.
He will distant himself from Kagome at least until he's figure some reason to his mixed emotions. Sesshomaru cursed himself for allowing her to over power him. Both his title and reputation was at sake. Not only for his kingdom, but for his own pride.
He was a lord. A powerful demon that is fear by all and never questioned.
He will earn back that title and never open up again-especially to some priestess even though he still cared for her deeply.
Sesshomaru had more important matters to think about. The vile half demon Naraku. Sesshomaru was determined to settle his quarrel and kill the evil hanyou, to rid another troublesome nuisance affecting his pride and lands.
It was final…
Focus more on defeating Naraku and distant himself from the miko. Simple enough.
Of course, most things were never simple to begin with.
The cold harsh winds stung the half demon's eyes as he fought through the thick bush of branches and twigs. Sniffing the freezing air as he bled his nose dry, Shin was determined to find Reiko. As he continued on through the forest, Shin heard a faint whimper against the hollow wind. Looking to his left on the snow covered ground, Shin smelt the sweet scent. Curled in a fetal position underneath a small tree came the view of a light brown haired girl. "Reiko!" Shin exclaimed as he raced to the girl's side.
Lifting her head the girl shivered, "Shin?" Reiko barely whispered under her chattering teeth.
Removing his outer kimono, Shin covered the girl securely as he picked her up from the frozen floor. "Hold on to me, I'll get you out of her." Shin said sternly as he tensed from the girl's cold hands as she wrapped them around his neck. The half demon cursed himself for leaving her, alone nearly freezing to death. Holding on to her thighs as she laid on his back, Shin ran as fast as he could. Plowing through the snow and branches, Shin grinds his teeth. He was exhausted and reaching his limit. Even the petite girl's weight was heavier than usual. Her dead weight resting on his back; Shin was never going to forgive himself for having this happen.
Racing through the blinding trail, Shin smelt the distance scent of smoke. 'Good, we're close to a village…' Shin thought as he ran faster, picking up speed.
"Don't worry; we're almost there, Reiko!" Shin yelled out as a soft moan escaped the girl's lightly tinted blue lips.
"Ah, Kikyo…" a voice said darkly as the view of a woman was seen looming by the doorway.
"Naraku…" Kikyo said lightly as she walked up to the hanyou.
The half demon smirked as he slithered his hand around the woman's waist, pulling her closer to him in a possessive matter.
"I have wondered…What will the child's name be?" Naraku purred to the woman as he nuzzled her cheek.
Kikyo blinked, she had not thought of a name for the unborn child. It still didn't click in her mind the amazing process that was growing inside of her.
"I am uncertain of a rightful name…I will think of one in time." Kikyo said with little emotion as she tried to ignore the dark hanyou's greedily expression.
"You are quite cold, my dear…" Naraku said in wicked tone.
Yes, she was cold. Even if her now fully alive body maintains normally-her soul will forever be cold, like the bitter frost of winter. It was her security, her only form of defense. From the harsh reality of her former self. A pure priestess slowly turns dark. Kikyo was aware of her slow and agonizing transformation. Her emotions were but a hollow feeling with her new grown determination to somehow drag Naraku into the depths of hell along with the Shikon Jewel. Of course it was her old plan, a plan in which she now wondered would make any difference? Kikyo has what she's always wanted. She is now a woman…No longer tied by the laws of a priestess. She has sin in more ways than one. Her reputation is tarnished along with her common sense.
The only chance of happiness to Kikyo would be to see the heart of that silver haired half demon, bleeding in her hands. Yes, as much as that empty emotion of love still lingers for Inuyasha, she will never forgive him.
Thus she will use Naraku to her advantage, any way she knew possible. To finally end those conflicting feelings of love, that is steadily rising in her soul.
"What troubles you?" Naraku asked as he saw a flicker of emotion glisten in the woman's eyes.
"Nothing…I am simply tired is all." Kikyo said as she pulled away from Naraku.
Smirking lightly, Naraku watched as Kikyo left the room.
'Foolish woman…' Naraku thought as he softly chuckled darkly.
The view of a small inn on the out skirts of a village was seen as the scene closed in to the shoji screen. The door way soon opened as a raven haired girl walked out. Dressed in her pajama bottoms and warm jacket, the miko walked over to the next room carrying a tray of steaming food. Tapping on the screen, Kagome waited for someone to answer. The screen slide to the right as two dark violet eyes looked down at the miko. "Hello Miroku, I made everyone some rice balls and cooked roots." Kagome said as she offered the monk a big tray. "Ah, thank you Kagome." Miroku said as he took the tray and walked inside. Kagome peeked her head in to see the two inu brothers on either side of the room. Luckily they weren't glaring death stares at one another. Kagome was happy to see they were able to tolerate each other. It was a big step compared to their hastily sword fights and arguments.
"Well enjoy the food everyone. Sango and I will be going to bed soon." Kagome said with a smile.
"Very well, good night Miss Kagome." Miroku said as he then turned his attention to the hanyou stuffing his face with rice.
Kagome giggled, "Good night Miroku." The miko said as she turned her head to the Taiyoukai. "Good night, Sesshomaru." Kagome said softly as she blushed.
Sesshomaru slightly nodded, approving her words of farewell. The miko smiled as she stepped back out, "And good night Inuyasha." Kagome said as she held back a laugh.
"Guuf 'night." The hanyou said with his mouth full of food as Sesshomaru made a slight disgusted expression turning his head away from the sight.
Kagome giggled as she nodded her head then closed the door. Starting her way back to her room, Kagome then felt a strange chill in the air along with a familiar tinkling sensation. Almost like she could sense the sacred jewel yet didn't…Narrowing her eyes, Kagome wondered if she should alert the others. Then again it would be impossible to see pass the trees due to the thick fog from the earlier storm. Deciding on taking a break, the miko brushed the feeling aside and returned to her room. Hoping she didn't just make a terrible decision.
Oh no! What could Kagome be sensing? When will Sesshy tell Kagome his feelings? What is Naraku really planning? How will Reiko hold out? Stay tune and please review for a fast update!