「桔梗」

In the moments after his rage began to quell though still evident in his mannerism, the silkiness of her voice causing his canine ears to droop much like a reprimanded child, his arms falling to his side and the half-demon taking a step back with an irritated ‘tsk’, allowing the priestess her respective space, the moment of danger gone. He wanted to shout some sense into her, to make her realize that there was only her standing between those who wanted sinister power and the coveted Jewel. How could he make her understand that a limited human body was all that prevented savage demons from laying their claim on the Sacred Jewel? How could he make her understand that should she fall that yes, they would find another priestess but that it simply wasn’t just that–it wouldn't’ her anymore…she is what could NOT replaced. No one else would ever have her opinions, thoughts, scent, voice, gaze…

A name, unfamiliar to him passed from her lips, Inu-Yasha breaking his gaze from the impaired priestess to follow in the direction the demons had made off to, prompting the obvious question. 

“Who ‘th hell is Onigumo?” There was a certain apprehension about the name, a mistrusting feeling putting him on edge. The name, new an unfamiliar rolled off his tongue with strange inflection, the half-demon eager for her response.

Sensing the calm wash over Inuyasha in waves, Kikyo, too, felt comfort standing where she was-- right by his side. Where she was meant to be when not looking after the sacred jewel.

Inuyasha caught her off guard by questioning about the thief-- he must have overheard her mumble his name with what could only be understood as concern, although mild, etched to her voice.

“A wounded one I’ve taken to tending. The man cannot move... He’s sick, Inuyasha. Very sick. Both of body and mind.” However, in the same light she’d taught Kaede, the man was paying for his sins, if simply by having survived whatever hell he’d gone through that had rendered him incapable of so much as moving, and deserved forgiveness.

Casting her gaze towards the direction of Onigumo’s cave, Kikyo gave a sigh.

“It’s too late now... Inuyasha, wait for me in the village.” Wishful thinking, of course, for she doubted Inuyasha would let her out of his sight with that big a hoard of youkai out on the loose somewhere in those woods. “...Then help me get to the cave. If I can at least salvage something, we just might be able to hold this man a proper burial.”

The stench of death lingers on Inuyasha’s former lover.  Yet it isn’t merely Kikyo’s odor that makes the daiyoukai balk.  It’s also her long-standing intention to end the life of Sesshomaru’s younger sibling: a life Sesshomaru has claimed to spare or snuff out.  Territorialism and deeply repressed concern motivate the way he now postures, hand resting on the hilt of his blade.

   “State your purpose,” he blockades small talk, in no way compliant with the use of his ward to earn rapport.  Subtly, he shifts weight, in front of both children.

Far be it for Kikyo to say else-wise, for she, too, wasn’t an awful fond of postponing what needed to be said... The bitter reality of something Sesshomaru would have to face one day.

“I’ve noticed you are rather fond of the girl.” An understatement. Sesshomaru, not unlike a father to his pup, would do anything in his power to ensure Rin’s safety... And anything was a lot when it came to one such as him. **“And I’m sure you’ve noticed the girl is curious... Talkative.” **Which was a change, for Kikyo’s journeys were only ever filled with the sounds of the wind and her soul collectors. 

“While I’m here, I am willing to teach Rin all that she ought to know... About life as a woman.” She needn’t elaborate on that end, for her words were self-explanatory if Sesshomaru, although male, had a vague idea what being a lass properly entailed. “But I won’t always be around... And in due time, the girl will need someone by her side who understands her.”

Adrenaline pumped expeditiously through his veins, his heartbeat echoing obstreperously in his canine ears as his eyes acute in the expansive darkness of the forest locked onto the multitude of shifting figures a few yards away. Pressing into the base of the tree, his figure overlapped hers, arms securing the priestess close to mask the undeniably holy aura she exuded. Just as humans who were spiritually inclined could sense demonic threats, demons who were more than just their base instincts could also sense their own risk. They grumbled in deep thunderous tones, repetition in their query;

‘̱̯W͉̯͕̺̭̲h̬̠̱er̯̩̫̻̮͉e ̝iͅs̝̜͕̠̘̩ th̙͔̮̰͓̳epͥ̿ͤ̏͑̾͂rͥ͑̄īͭë̾ͪ̆s͊̽̉̏ͫtͫe͛̀̽̎̌̄s̈́ͮs͆̎͐?’̀̽̑̽

** ̴̞͎̗̼͇͋ͣ̂ͯ‘̼̹̟̺̗͙̅ͯͨͦͧ̈̉̀ͅF̜̉̎̿͟i͔̖͎͈̯͈̱̋n̸ͧd͏͚ͅͅ ̱͉̊̔̑̓́h̵͓͎̱̣̳̙͎̀̒ͤ͊ë̂͛̌̄̒̐r̗̞̩̻͌̈́̔ͯ̾͌ͥ!͙̟͉̒͟’̻̩̙̹̩͇̎̏̾ͪͯͅ**

**‘͇̣̗̱W͎̺͇̘̩e̠̺͎̯ ͖̙̬s̗m͚el̲̠ḻ̬̹̳͉ ̩̭h͚̹̰͉e͕͇r̗ ̺̘ͅbl̜̖̬o̗͓̣͕od̯̫̜…̹̪ **

**‘̖̜ͨͪͦD̜̗͙̜̖é̹͓͇̫̻̘͉v̘͍͕͈ͩ͡o̞̮̱̪ͬ̅͂͛̆ͭ͛̀ͅũ̘̻̠͓̖̈́̏̅̽͊ͨr̸̥̰̤̖͓̤ ̼̲̝̦͔͎͉̒̍͆ͦh̐͋̊͂̾e̛̺̗͓̻̫̩̓ͮrͮ̉͑ͨ̽̚!̺̹ͭ͘’̗̫̓̄̌̓ͤ̚ **

His jaw toughened, a heat about him. It was fucking hard for him not to reveal himself and sink his claws into their necks, ripping out the very throats that they now chuckled with– Keh, if he could just get the jump on them he’d slaughter the whole lot of them before they had the chance to even _look _at the priestess–! Yet right now the situation was less than desirable, Kikyo unable to wield her bow, the bones in her arm still not healed from the injury she had sustained a few weeks prior. Damnit–this is why he had told her to just play good little priestess within the village! Powerful as she was, it was a quick slope for her to find herself outnumbered and weaponless in the middle of the forest at night–oh wait, already happening.

“ loosen your grip, i can’t breathe. ”

He had forgotten for a moment too long that the person in his grasp was human, so frangible, so easily pained and bruised by the force he thought conventional. All at once he relinquished his hold, cursing under his breath as he tuned into the receding steps, the pack of demons moving farther from them. He inhaled deeply, tension ebbing from his mind before he remembered the carelessness that him got into this little spot, a fresh set of anger to serve the priestess. In a hushed, hurried tone he lashed out.

“What the fuck were ‘ya thinkin’ comin’ out here like this? Huh!? Are ‘ya tryin’ ‘ta get yerself killed, Kikyo?”

Be a good hanyou while I’m around. 

She’d made him promise-- an oath that flew right over his head & down into the river when it either came to the Priestess’ safety or the more primal hunting instincts that made his blood boil-- as if more ordinary happenstances didn’t.

A fresh flow of anger simmered, settling deep within his bones like a decade old wound. Could it have been resentment etched in his voice? Or perhaps concern... Blurred were the edges which separated one from the other when it came to Inuyasha.

At his shouting, even the ground trembled. Or maybe it was him who’d attempted to shake some sense into Kikyo, who was most possibly the only one no manner of riches nor strength could salvage should she take a fall due to carelessness. Carelessness, however strange to her, was growing to become all the more undauntedly familiar with the passing days.

“I knew you’d come find me.” Was the response. An evident hoarseness from a recently violated throat highlighting Kikyo’s otherwise gentle notes. With a hand on her neck, almost as if to shield it from the burning pain that seared it,  her eyes took to wandering. Motes of dust gathering clouds of filth left in the wake of those heinous creatures could still be seen. “There was something different about those demons.” She remarked, clearing her throat, but to no avail. “I feel the Jewel isn’t the only thing they seek to posse-- ugh!”

Strength failed her, words cut off by a grim reminder of the wounded limb beginning to ache once again. By her reckoning, it wouldn’t be long until she was fully healed-- but to stay put was a must. Inuyasha grabbing her by the neck urged the natural reaction from the priestess to clasp his wrist and try to pry off the hand so, naturally, the force she oughtn’t have invested in that arm was beginning to take its toll.

One last parting look dawned a realisation in her mind-- the direction those demons had scurried off to...

“Onigumo...” Her voice was lower than the wind’s whispering sigh.

They’d gone off to Onigumo’s cave... For food, most likely. That poor, poor man.

“I… I feel strange…” he murmured. “Why am I so tired all of a sudden…” It was as if a wave of exhaustion washed over him, his whole body feeling heavy. He sat leaning against her, his eyes fluttering closed as he rest his head on her shoulder.

“…A few minutes won’t hurt….”

It was uncharacteristically gentle, the way which he leaned against her seeking some manner comfort, almost as if gentleness & Inuyasha were two existences that didn’t often mingle-- rather like humans and youkai seldom did.

His approach, however, didn’t surprise her as much as her heart when it skipped a most painful yet sincere beat-- a touch-starved creature long forsaken that left a gaping hole in her chest began to rear its head. Quiet now, she said to herself, allowing the half-breed to rest upon her, but censoring herself from leaning back into the glow of his warmth.

And oh, did it hurt not to... for there was precious little she wanted more than to seek him the way he sought her.

“ I hear the winds have changed and a hailing eve is upon us. ” She commented, her voice a passing whisper-- one would’ve made nothing of it had they heard her speak, but there was much more to her words... A silent plead wearing the guise of a suggestion. “ You should seek rest inside for the night. With us... I’ll be sure to let Kaede know. ” There was nothing she felt towards the thought of what the villagers might make of said proposition.

|| The blog has been revamped, just as I said I’d do. I’m super rusty when it comes to writing, as it’s been a solid while now, but hey-- practise makes perfect!