The Heroic and Super-Duper Trials of a Girl and a Demon by UnknownRandomness

Vexation

Prompt: Forest (Week 39)

Word Count: 324

"Lord Sesshoumaru... Are we getting any closer?"

The daiyoukai inclined his head to look down at the child ensconsed in the crook of his left elbow. Her large brown eyes stared up at him, curiosity shining in those dark orbs. Truthfully, he was at a loss; his yoki was insisting that the shift in energy had happened elsewhere in the dense forest, but his nose kept catching whiffs of a strange scent emanating from the opposite direction. He was unsure of which to trust.

"This Sesshoumaru is uncertain of the answer, Rin. It is quite possible that we are very close to our goal, but since it is not yet apparent which way we must travel, this one shall take to the skies."

Setting his ward on her feet, the Western Lord instructed her to stay put and vaulted high into the air, forming his yoki into a platform under his feet, keeping him aloft as he looked down at the forest canopy. There were many gaps which he could see through, but none of them seemed to have any evidence of the disturbance. The inu was sure that whatever had made such a difference in the world would leave traces, but there was nothing to be seen except plants and small creatures going about their usual lives. It was unbelievably frustrating to not be sure of what to do- he'd never experienced such a dilemma before and it vexed him.

With a snort of disgust, the demon let his yoki dissipate, falling gracefully to the forest floor. It seemed that they would just have to continue searching by foot. Following the scent first would be sensible, since the source seemed closer. Decided, Sesshoumaru turned to Rin to carry her again, only to growl when she was a lot further away then he had left her, and accompanied by someone he did not wish to see.

"Why are you not at the shiro, mother?"