Sin Times Seven by tenchi no mai

Pride

This was written in response to Priestess Skye’s challenge: Seven Deadly Sins 

Theme:  Pride

Due:  Sin Number 5

Required Word Count:  Minimum 700

Actual Word Count: 863

Universe: Canon – Feudal Era

Rating:  T

Warnings:  None 

Disclaimer: The characters of InuYasha are not mine, they are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz Media.   Only the plot to this story is my intellectual property.  I do not make any money from the writing of this story. 

‘Italics’ = thoughts 

Pride [prahyd] – noun, verb – 1. a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.  2. the state or feeling of being proud 

Sesshoumaru sat under a tree, off to the side of the campfire, watching the miko as she practiced her archery.  The fox kit was standing on a nearby tree stump waiting, tail twitching with anticipation, to retrieve the arrows for her.  

He arched one eyebrow as he heard her mutter under her breath, “Hit the mark.  Hit the mark.”  The last arrow flew towards the target surrounded by a glowing aura of bright pink light with a long flickering tail arcing from the fletching.  ‘Hn.  That’s unusual, I’ve never seen her arrows do that before.’  The makeshift target disintegrated into a burst of ashes which fluttered slowly to the ground. 

“Wow, Kagome, did you see that?  The target just went poof!”  Shippo scampered across the clearing on all four paws to gather up the arrows that were on the ground and bring them back to her. 

Kagome squinted in the bright sunlight, as if expecting to see the target reappear.  All of her other arrows had gone through the target to land in the grass behind it.  Why the last one had that much power attached to it was beyond her comprehension.  

Ssshoumaru gracefully rose to his feet and started over towards the now confused miko.  He knew her powers fluctuated on a day to day basis, and he figured that this was just another manifestation of such.  The tachi had seen it happen many times before, and after a quick glance to assess the situation, everyone returned to their previous activities.  

“Miko, are you all right?”  Sesshoumaru lowered his gaze to meet the worried eyes of the miko.  He could still smell the fading remnants of her rapidly dissipating holy powers. 

“I’m okay, Sesshoumaru.”  Kagome had lowered her bow and was agitatedly rubbing her free hand up and down her left arm.  “I didn’t do anything different with the last arrow.  Why did it react that way?” 

“I do not know, miko.  However, I do not think it is anything to get upset about.  Your powers seem to rise and fall for reasons that are not always apparent at the time.”  Sesshoumaru had decided that he would speak with the monk later to see if he knew, or could make a guess at, the cause of this unusual incident.  “Any increase in your powers will be useful against Naraku.” 

“Keh.  Her powers may be more and better controlled than they were at the beginning, but she’ll never be as powerful as Kikyo was.”  Inuyasha had jumped down out of the tree he had been resting in and strode over towards Kagome and his half-brother.  “But at least her aim has gotten better since you showed her the right way to hold the bow.” 

Kagome narrowed her eyes at Inuyasha as she tried to control her temper and not ‘sit’ him for his comment.  He could still be so ill-mannered and rude.  She went and sat with Miroku and Sango near the campfire as Shippo finished gathering up the last of her arrows. 

Sesshoumaru glared the ignorant hanyou down.  “Inuyahsa, if you do not have anything constructive to contribute, go hunt something for tonights meal.” 

After watching Inuyasha stalk off into the woods, grumbling and cursing under his breath, Sesshoumaru turned and reclaimed his place under his chosen tree from where he could keep an eye on the pack.  He now considered the combined packs as one, and he was alpha.  It had taken a long time, but the hanyou had finally come to accept this, however he was still vocal in his desire to make decisions. 

One decision the half-breed adamantly disagreed with was when Sesshoumaru stated that the miko would be trained in defensive techniques.  He had started months ago instructing her in the proper use of her bow.  She was a quick learner, and he was justifiably proud of her improvement.  If Inuyasha had had taken steps from the beginning to have her receive some instruction in archery and a little time to practice daily, a lot of problems could have been avoided.  

His next step had been to supply her with a short sword and have the slayer train her in its use.  She was not nearly as proficient using a sword, but was able to mount a defense when necessary.  During the last battle with Naraku’s minions, she had managed to hold off an attack on Rin and Shippo until he was able to dispatch the incarnation with his Tokijin. 

The miko’s improved abilities were commented on favorably by everyone except Inuyasha.  It seemed as if he would never be able to stop comparing her to the dead one.  Sesshoumaru had come to the conclusion that growing up wild as he had, Inuyasha never developed a sense of real pride of accomplishment,  and his egotism would not allow him to acknowledge the success of others endeavors.  Perhaps one day the hanyou would finally, as the miko had said, grow up.  

Turning his thoughts towards more pleasant ideas and the future as he contemplated the miko.  She was maturing nicely, and Sesshoumaru would be damned if he would let his pride stand in the way of what he desired. 

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Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. – Bible

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