The Power of Compassion

The Power of Compassion
Chapter 3: Comfort In Strange Places


Inuyasha looked up from the kitchen table as a dark colored jaguar pulled up, and a handsome man in a dark suit walked out and up towards the house, black sunglasses hiding his eyes. The hanyou moved towards the door, having been expecting him. “Bankotsu…it’s good to see you…you have news I take it?” he said quietly, as his new mate Kikyou was asleep on his king size bed that him and Kagome used to share.

“Indeed I do, Inuyasha san.” He replied softly, as he always spoke softly, not one to yell as he had a voice that seemed to convey his emotions easily…and he had an aura that was slightly haughty, and got people’s attention even upon first glance.

Gesturing him into the kitchen, Inuyasha offered him some coffee which he declined. “So you have found her then?” he asked, taking a seat and glancing slowly to one of his family’s personal bodyguards and trackers. He was one of the best, and had never failed in finding someone.

“I have…she is staying at the Shikon Resort…she checked in alone, and took only limited clothing with her.” He replied softly, not removing the sunglasses.

“Well that’s just great…she’s on vacation while I’m here worrying about her…” Inuyasha muttered under his breath, his fist clenching lightly.

Bankotsu raised an eyebrow that was undetectable under the shades. He had seen and smelt the deception of the hanyou, and wondered why he was keeping tabs on a girl he didn’t want to mate with. She was trying to move on it seemed, or at least get away from him, and he was still wondering what her every move was. There was another interesting bit of information he had, one being that Sesshoumaru, his half brother, was also checked into the hot springs resort, and was staying in the same room as the girl. But he wasn’t called the best tracker for nothing, and knew when to keep information to himself, especially where the elder Taisyou brother was concerned. He had loyalty to Inuyasha, but it was nothing compared to his loyalty to Sesshoumaru sama. There were many reasons for this, but the major one was that of integrity…something Inuyasha had little of.

“If that is all, Inuyasha san…I’ll take my leave.” He finally spoke up, going to stand.

“No that’s not it…”, a somewhat cruel voice called out, as a young woman with striking resemblance to Kagome walked into the kitchen, a blue terry robe around her.

“Kikyou…”, Inuyasha replied softly, as a smirk came to his face as she moved toward him, placing a well manicured hand on his shoulder.

“Kikyou san.” Bankotsu nodded lightly to her, holding in distain for her. She was a manipulative woman and one that had been around to say the least, someone who wanted the world handed to her on a silver platter and nothing less. He stood by as she dug her hands deep into Sesshoumaru’s pockets, and then, as she started to rock the boat as she hooked up with his younger and exponentially more foolish half-brother.

Inuyasha looked up at his mate, a little confusion on his face. “What is it, love?”

She returned his gaze before looking to Bankotsu. “You’ve been known to, on occasion, make things…difficult…for others, have you not?” she says softly, her eyes holding a deep hatred, confusing the other man. He had, of course, made things difficult on those that tried to make things hard for the Taisyou brothers, but that was on people who knew the consequences of their actions, and were deserving of it.

“…in certain cases, yes…why?” he asked, suspicious of her and not about to take orders from her, no matter if she was Inuyasha’s mate or not.

“…I want you to take care of a certain…problem of mine.” She replied, a small smirk coming to her face, making her look almost demon like in appearance, and earning a glance from Inuyasha.

“…and that would be?” he managed out, without raising his voice and without getting up and leaving, his anger level rising. He was pretty sure where this was going, and he refused to do it.

“…you know her…Higurashi Kagome. And you know…she’s become a real thorn in my side, worrying my mate and just having her shit about the house…taking up space that could be used for my things…” she prattled on, her eyes not leaving his, though she couldn’t see his eyes through the sunglasses.

“…I believe you’ll have to deal with this on your own, Kikyou san. I don’t deal in domestic affairs.” He replied softly, before standing. “I take my leave…” and without another word, he moved out of the house, not even waiting to be held up further by either of them. He didn’t see her eyes of anger and defiance, or hear her whispered vow, “…then I will do just that…”

Bankotsu drove away from Inuyasha’s home, his jaw clenched in anger. From what he had seen and heard, which was a lot, he pitied the girl, Kagome. She had devoted herself to Inuyasha, and like everything else in the hanyou’s life, he pissed it all away. She seemed sweet, though appearances could be deceiving. For the moment he pushed the thoughts from his head, going to the main house of the Taisyou’s, but reminding himself to have a talk with the eldest brother when he had a chance.

~*~

Kagome’s sapphire eyes slowly opened as she woke up the next morning, sleeping through the night. The strain on her body allowed her to sleep and she was actually recovering a bit from her blood loss. As she slowly looked around the room, she noticed that the bed next to her was empty, and held back a soft sigh of disappointment, though her face couldn’t hide it so well. ‘What did you expect, Kagome? He is a high class demon, and you’re just some human woman…’ at that thought, a voice broke through her thoughts.

“I took the liberty of ordering us breakfast…if you’re hungry.” The smooth voice said, making her sit up slightly, her eyes falling on the silver haired taiyoukai.

Blinking slightly, she blushed a little, before replying softly, “Thanks…I…am a little hungry…”, she was aware that she hadn’t eaten anything the past couple of days, and her stomach growled softly just to enforce that fact.

He held back a small smirk, before gesturing to the small table in the room with two chairs, and the cart with a bowl of fruit on it, as well as two platters of pancakes, eggs, sausage links, and bacon, the whole smorgasbord of breakfast foods that looked very tasty to her. Moving slowly, she made her way across the room to take a seat, blushing lightly still at remembering a little of last night, and feeling a little ashamed. She was ready to take the easy way out, to avoid the pain, instead of overcoming it, and that hurt. She thought she had more backbone than that, and if he hadn’t have showed up, she might have just died right there on the carpet, alone.

“…I’m sorry…”, she finally spoke up, not looking him in the eye though, her hands wrung together lightly.

“…there is nothing to be sorry for…now eat…you need to recover your strength.”, he replied, smooth as silk, pouring some syrup over his pancakes and pulling a fork from the rolled up napkin that hid his set of silverware. He knew she was regretting trying to take her life, and for that he was glad, otherwise his efforts were for nothing. Saving her only to have her want to take her life again was taxing, and he didn’t feel like bothering with someone who wanted nothing more than to be dead.

She slowly looks up before nodding softly, pulling some grapes towards her and eating on one slowly, not looking up, as if she were beneath him. He glanced to her before saying, “Did you sleep well last night?” he wasn’t sure why he was trying to get her into conversation, but it seemed better than the silence that was surrounding them right now. He was on vacation, so he was considering this something he could scratch off as an out of character moment. Come next Monday, it would be back to business as usual.

“…yes, I did thank you…did you?” she replies softly, slowly glancing to him, before looking back down, feeling so different from him, and wanting to just…be comforted.

“I did indeed. Surprisingly well, in fact.” It was true. He hadn’t slept so well in quite some time. Yes, a vacation for him was definitely in order, but he couldn’t help but think that Kikyou would never enjoy a place like this; just the hot springs, with no extreme pampering like she was inclined to go to. He forced that thought away; she was most likely with his brother at the moment if she wasn’t shopping, and even the thought of her was ruining a good breakfast with an attractive woman that was no where near as annoying as she was. Then again, it had only been a day…given enough time, she would turn out to be like Kikyou somehow, he thought, and he would be rid of her.

She bit her lower lip softly, having finished with her meal. She was hungrier than she had thought, and all of it went down quickly. “…thank you…for breakfast…” Kagome said softly, looking up finally to his eyes.

He slowly met her gaze, appreciating her sapphire eyes a moment before nodding softly. “It wasn’t a problem. Shall we go to the springs?”

After a soft nod and breakfast was over, they were headed for the springs, and with him in shorts and her in a one piece bathing suit, they relaxed together in the springs, her leaning against him, as she was still a little weak, but it was something he didn’t mind. He preferred to rely on himself only, but having someone rely on him, it was interesting. She trusted him not to hurt her, or leave her to drown in the water, which was something else that intrigued him. He couldn’t help but think she was too trusting, but that thought aside, he didn’t mind it as much as he thought he would have.

Curiously, she started to talk to him, telling him about herself. “I have two brothers…well…had.” She started quietly, taking a gentle breath. “My younger brother died in a car accident…my older is still alive and in college. I also have a sister, and she’s married. She’s going to have a baby soon.” The taiyoukai couldn’t miss the small smile that came to her face as she spoke about her family. My grandpa still helps Momma run the shrine…though she’s getting older too. She keeps reminding me of that fact, and asks me when I will be getting married. I don’t know how I’m going to break it to her that it won’t be happening anytime soon.” She continued in a soft voice, forcing back the feelings of betrayal and worthlessness again.

He didn’t know why, but he slowly rubbed her lower back as she spoke, as a comforting gesture, and she didn’t seem to mind, she didn’t even flinch away from him, and that was a first. Usually the first emotion people exhibited around him was fear, but this mere slip of a girl seemed comfortable in his presence.

“I’m sure she will understand.” He replied softly, looking across the spring, and not at her. He couldn’t help but feel the anger well up in him again at his half brother.

She only nodded lightly in response, resting against him lightly, relaxing in the springs. Blinking momentarily, she looked up to his face, confusion and slight embarrassment on hers. “I’m sorry…I don’t even know your name…” she blushed softly.

He couldn’t help but appreciate the attractive shade of pink she was sporting on her cream colored face, before replying, “Sesshoumaru…though most refer to me as Sesshoumaru sama.”

She nodded softly in response, before smiling warmly to him. “It’s nice to finally know your name…and it’s nice to meet you.” The young woman hugged him softly, before going back to her relaxed position against his firm and toned chest.

He blinked slightly in response to the hug, his arm gently returning it before she let go. He couldn’t understand why she would. She barely knew him. What did she want from him? He wasn’t about to voice the question, he was cold, but he wasn’t that cold. Besides, once this week was over, it was back to business as usual.

The days passed like this. A gentle hug here, a soft caress there, it was comfortable between them, and Kagome loathed the day they would have to part ways, but Sunday came, and she had her things packed, as did he, and they were standing at the door of the room, making sure everything was picked up and packed.

“Well…it was nice to spend time with you, Sesshoumaru sama.” Kagome spoke quietly, looking to his face, and smiling warmly, though it hurt. She had gotten used to his quiet company, and actually was going to miss being around him. He never said degrading things to her, and let her know when boundaries were overstepped, and she likewise, knew when she was being a nuisance.

“As it was with you, Kagome.” He had come to respect her, and enjoyed being in her company. She talked most of the time, while he listened, but she didn’t bore him, always having something new to share with him, about her family, or friends. She also had a divine scent that calmed him unlike anything else.

“Will I get to see you again?” she asked softly, hesitantly.

“…perhaps…” he replied, before holding out a small piece of paper, his business card, and on the back, his personal cell and home number.

Blushing a bit, but smiling, she took it before hugging him tightly. “Goodbye…and thank you for everything.” She whispered, before looking up to his face and slowly letting go.

He was getting used to her affectionate hugs, and returned it lightly before letting her go. “Goodbye…and you’re welcome.”

With that, they walked down the hall together, and out of the front doors, her to her VUE, and him to his vehicle. With a backwards glance to Sesshoumaru, Kagome put her car in reverse and headed for her sister’s, while the taiyoukai went back to his own home, both missing the other already.



~A/N~ Oh my kami, I am so sorry everyone for the long wait. It was my own fault, and I’m starting to get my flow back on my stories. Hopefully I’ll have an update for them all soon. Thanks for your patience! ~~Sayuri-chan

Please read and review! You know I love them! So do the muses…*pulls them back to help update*