A Sister's Gift by Rinseternalsoul

Chapter 15 – The Long Stretch

Kagome shifted a bit in the saddle. Her mind was wondering again, as it was prone to do in the face of extreme boredom. The narrow road they were traveling favored the rest of the road they had traveled, forest, rocks and bushes. Endless greenery. True, Kagome loved the outdoors, but this was bordering on ridiculous. It had been a week since they left the village, and had not passed one soul traveling the road.

The young woman's thoughts drifted to her village. She wondered how Sango was faring in her absence, and if Kaede was taking proper care of herself. She sighed deeply. 'I miss them so much.'

Kagome was running out of things to think about. She was trying so very hard to keep from thinking about the kiss. Everything from food to fabric's had played across her thoughts this morning in a valiant effort to steer clear of that one memory, to no avail. It seemed that no matter where she placed her mind, it only came back to that kiss. Everything led her to his arms. Kagome glanced quickly to her inuyoukai companion.

Since the kiss two days ago, Sesshomaru had been intentionally avoiding contact with her. He told her he would not apologize for his actions, but his behavior left her wondering for the hundredth time if he now regretted it. She could understand his position, but at the same time she just didn't care. This whole situation had left a bad taste in her mouth, and she had been seriously considering throwing caution to the wind. She felt his longing for that brief moment when their lips touched, and her own womanly desires boiled in her blood. It was a dangerous game for them to play, and Kagome knew that he was now trying to protect her from himself, but maybe... she didn't want to be protected.

Kagome watched the tall youkai as he held his head high, always searching and alert for signs of danger. He was a magnificent sight to behold. As much as she enjoyed being with Sesshomaru, and as much as she enjoyed watching him, she longed for someone to talk to. He just wasn't very chatty. He was always polite, and answered her questions, but casual conversation was just not his cup of tea. So on she rode in silence, with only her thoughts to pass the time.

Without notice, Sesshomaru held out a hand and grabbed the halter of her horse, bringing them both to a stop. Kagome looked to him in surprise, but he was intent on something ahead. She looked, but could see nothing. She looked back to her companion, who held his head up and sniffed at the air.

He was sure of it now. For the last stretch of road, he thought he caught wind of a familiar scent, but it was faint and would come and go. Sesshomaru looked to his miko. "Mistress, I must put you on guard. I smell human blood. It comes from ahead. I sense no danger, but there is definitely death ahead. We will approach with caution."

Kagome nodded and pulled her bow from her shoulder, just in case. Sesshomaru released her mare and the two proceeded slowly down the road. She kept a close eye on Sesshomaru. His senses far outweighed her own, and she knew he would react before she ever seen anything coming. He was acutely alert. He held his nose high as he sniffed for danger. Even his ears were twitching occasionally as he listened intently. The horses sensed it as well. Both animals began to prance nervously with their furry ears straight up and a frightened look in their eyes. Kagome felt her stomach muscles tighten in dreaded anticipation of what lay ahead.

They rode in silence, senses alert, for what felt like an eternity to Kagome, but now that she is standing in front of this carnage, she wished it had stayed an unreachable goal. Sesshomaru would have pulled them right passed these people had Kagome not insisted he stop and make certain there was nothing they could do. She felt they should at least pull the bodies from the middle of the road. The steely look of disapproval Sesshomaru shot to her proved that he was not feeling that this was a safe situation.

Sesshomaru gritted his teeth when Kagome insisted they stop to see to the dead bodies of these ningen. Her kind heart was going to get her killed one day. This much blood was going to draw scavenging predators. Any youkai for miles can detect this smell. How she does it, he can't say, but somehow the miko has a way of batting her lashes and sending him off like a happy puppy to do her bidding. It doesn't matter that he wears this accursed necklace. He growled at himself. She had only to flash him a glance and bat her lashes to invoke his dutiful bidding.

Inutaisho was sure to think this was a hoot. How many times had Sesshomaru argued with his father over his taking of a human mate? How many times had he called humans filthy and lowly creatures? Had his father been alive, Sesshomaru would have made a formal apology to him for the hell he gave him those many years ago.

Yes, Inutaisho was probably sitting up there laughing his arrogant haughty ass off at Sesshomaru this very moment. The taiyoukai held his breath as he pulled the first dead human to the side of the road, and that's when he discovered the third body. Sesshomaru looked back to Kagome automatically. It was a miko. Her red and white garments lay strewn about. Her young body, covered in bruises, was obviously raped. He could clearly smell the sex stench of many men. It was disgusting.

Kagome noticed that Sesshomaru lingered near the brush. She moved her mare up curiously, as Sesshomaru rose again to his feet. His brow was furrowed a bit as though he was sickened, whether by the smell or the atrocious act itself, Kagome was unsure. She then saw the red and white. A little closer brought the girl into sight. Kagome's heart sunk at the sight of the young miko, and couldn't help but think that it could have been her.

Sesshomaru walked straight to his pack, and pulled out the thin blanket. He had hoped Kagome would stay clear of this sight, but unfortunately she now sat crying atop her mount. He walked to the dead girl and pulled the blanket over her form. He turned back to Kagome who was a tender sight of wracking sobs. Once again he found himself amazed at the size of her heart. Even the death of a stranger could bring about her deepest sorrow. The image of her brought about this driving urge to hold her in his arms. An urge to whisper sweet words of comfort into her ear. Instead he walked to the third and final dead body, and worked to pull him from the road.

Before he could return to his horse he felt them. He called to Kagome, "Dismount Kagome! Youkai come!"

Kagome moved with the agility of a feline, as she leapt from the saddle. She drew her arrow as she ran for cover. Sesshomaru never bothered to pull Tokijin. He was filthy already, so why bother? These were nothing but lowly mindless youkai, easily taken out without a sword.

Kagome pulled the horses with her, tying them off quickly before she ducked behind the large tree trunk. She watched to see where Sesshomaru would go. He didn't move. He just dropped into battle stance and didn't move. Kagome was about to scream to him, when the first two broke through the thick forest to the right. She raised her bow to take aim, but there was no need. Sesshomaru struck out with his right hand using his youki whip, and destroyed the first huge blob of teeth and green flesh. He spun swiftly a quarter turn and slashed through the second with his claws. It fell in ribbons to the ground with a slick thud.

He glanced once to Kagome and watched as she released the arrow. Damn the girl, he could have easily taken the third. However, she ended the monsters life before it had fully emerged from the brush. Sesshomaru shook his hand, slinging the dripping grime from his claws. He focused for a moment, searching. "No more," he called to his miko. She came from behind the tree, untying the frightened horses as Sesshomaru joined her. "Let us be off. I think I caught the scent of a village ahead."

"Oh. Well, that would be great," Kagome said. "We can report this there. They can send someone for the bodies. Maybe someone will recognize them?" Kagome pulled up into her saddle. "Sesshomaru, who do you think done this?"

"Bandits, I feel sure. Hanyou maybe. There were many smells, it was hard to tell." He replied.

"I feel really bad for them. Especially the young girl. How could someone do such a terrible thing?" Kagome cried softly.

Once again Sesshomaru had to fight the urge to console her physically. Instead he listened to her gentle crying as they headed down the road.