The Herald of Heaven and Earth

Chapter 2: A New Traveling Companion

“Good evening,” Sesshoumaru said quietly as he strode toward the little band of travelers.

“What’s so good about it,” Inuyasha growled.

Sesshoumaru continued toward them, his eyes fixed upon the irate half-demon before him.

"What are you doing here," Inuyasha asked dangerously as he unsheathed the Tetsusaiga, and took a few steps forward. “Trying to attack me while I’m injured eh? You coward…” He took a few more steps toward Sesshoumaru and growled angrily. “If you think I’m going to go down easily, you’ve got another thing coming.”

Sesshoumaru eyed him coolly. “I have not come here seeking violence. I wish to speak with Lady Kagome.” Everyone’s eyes turned to Kagome with shock, and she stood with Shippo still in her arms, curiosity and astonishment written on her face.

“What the hell do you want with Kagome,” Inuyasha asked hotly, glaring daggers at his brother. When Sesshoumaru’s eyes turned to her, Inuyasha flexed his claws and began to advance toward him. He was at arms length when a soft voice reached his ears.

“Sit boy…”

Sesshoumaru watched his brother slam into the ground and for a moment there was a hint of amusement on his face. Kagome gently set Shippo down and walked over to Inuyasha, her eyes glued on Sesshoumaru. “I’m sorry, but I want to know what he has to tell me,” she said quietly as she placed a soft hand on his shoulder when he arose from the ground. Inuyasha looked at her with shock but nodded reluctantly and leapt up into a nearby tree, keeping his eyes on her.

“What do you want,” Kagome asked the stoic intruder.

Ignoring a soft growl coming from the tree, Sesshoumaru walked up to her and looked down into her eyes. “I wish to accompany you and your friends to locate the remaining jewel shards and, join in your battle against Naraku.” Miroku and Sango glanced at each other nervously and saw that up in the tree Inuyasha had a murderous look on his face.

Kagome shook her head confused. “Why ask me, I’m not the leader of this group.”

Her eyes fell downcast but a surprisingly gentle hand grasped her chin making her look up into the mesmerizing golden pools that were Sesshoumaru’s eyes. “You are a leader in more ways than one,” he stated softly.

The soft growl that was coming from Inuyasha suddenly became a loud rumble of a curse and roar and Sesshoumaru immediately dropped his hand from Kagome’s face when Inuyasha leapt from the tree and landed heavily behind her.

Kagome stood between the two brothers and she quickly turned to look at Inuyasha. “Stop it.”

“He touched you,” he growled.

Sesshoumaru released a growl of his own and his eyes briefly held a tint of red. “I ask you Kagome not only because I believe that you are the leader of this group but, because if I would have come with my request to my brother it would have resulted into a needless battle, leaving us both weakened and vulnerable.”

Kagome’s eyes drifted to the Tetsusaiga and remembered the countless times in the past when Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru had battled, whether it was over that coveted sword or just because of the general dislike they had of each other. “They’ve never gotten along before so, how can they travel together,” she thought to herself. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard Miroku break the awkward silence.

“How can we trust you Sesshoumaru? You have made it quite clear on multiple occasions that you wish to kill Inuyasha. There have even been times when you could have seriously harmed Kagome.”

Sesshoumaru’s golden eyes grew cold as he took in his words. “You are wrong monk. I would never have harmed Lady Kagome.” He looked upon the young woman who stood looking down at her shoes in confusion.

“You will just have to trust me.”

Kagome slowly raised her head when he spoke those words. Sincerity caressed every syllable and she gasped when his eyes captured her own. In that, the briefest of moments she understood what it meant when her mother would tell her that “eyes are the windows to the soul.” Inuyasha looked at her with shock when he saw her face flush.

“Kagome…” he whispered.

Her face began to color with shame when she heard her name called and her eyes quickly diverted away from the handsome demon in front of her who had shaken her with the depths of his being.

Sesshoumaru could smell her embarrassment and confusion. Unwilling to let her retreat back into uncertainty he reached out and lifted her chin once more with a gentle hand, ignoring the heated growl coming from behind her. “You can trust me. I knew you would be hesitant and, to prove my sincerity I have brought my companions to accompany me.”

Out of the corner of her eye Kagome saw two familiar figures emerge from behind the trees. Jaken and Rin quickly trotted to their guardian’s side and looked up at the bewildered woman. Sesshoumaru let his hand fall away and placed it upon Rin’s head. “I will not subject my daughter to such unnecessary violence. This Sesshoumaru made a promise and I intend to keep it.”

Kagome looked down at the young girl and a warm smile radiated from her lips. “I believe you Sesshoumaru, you may travel with us.”

“What!” In shock Inuyasha whirled Kagome around to face him. “Are you out of your mind? You can’t trust him! The moment our backs are turned he’ll steal Tetsusaiga or worse!”

Sesshoumaru’s eyes blazed as he felt Rin clutch his hand with fear at Inuyasha’s outrage. “I am not dishonorable half breed. I gave Kagome my word and she accepted it. I did not come here seeking your consent nor did I want it. Besides if you do not oblige me I will make your life unbearable. You will beg for death before the end.”

A metallic hiss rang through the air as Inuyasha drew the Tetsusaiga. He began to pace toward Sesshoumaru when a gentle hand stopped him. He could have easily shrugged it off except for the fact that the hand seemed to emanate love and strength. Inuyasha looked at the source of that strange power in surprise and suddenly he felt Kagome’s soft body embrace his.

“I would not agree to this if I thought it would put us in danger,” she whispered. “If you don’t trust him, can you not trust me?”

Instantaneously he grew calm and he wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her protectively. “Ok, Kagome,” he said softly as he nuzzled the top of her head.

Everyone gasped at the two as they embraced and Sesshoumaru surprised himself by releasing a muffled growl. “Fine,” he hissed as he turned his back on them and began to stalk to the other side of the camp. “We will settle in, come Rin.”

“Wait my Lord,” Jaken whined as he ran to catch up.

Inuyasha still held Kagome and when he realized how intimate they were he abruptly released her. He watched as Sesshoumaru stood against a tree glaring at him. “He’d better not touch you again Kagome or I’ll kill him,” he said loudly knowing Sesshoumaru heard the threat. “Look after her Miroku,” he muttered and stalked into the woods, disappearing from view.

“Are you alright Kagome,” Sango asked tentatively.

Kagome stared off into the woods in confusion and shook her head. “I don’t understand why he’s acting this way.”

“Well you know how he is about Tetsusaiga,” Miroku said softly as he and Sango studied her.

Kagome nodded dazedly as she stared after him. “Yes, but this was different. It was almost as if he…” The monk and demon-slayer looked at her unhappily as she released a bitter laugh mid sentence. “He loves Kikyo, so why should he care.” She smiled sadly at her friends as she hastily wiped away a tear. “Forget about it, lets get some rest Shippo.”

Miroku and Sango watched as she curled up inside of the sleeping bag and buried her face in her son’s fur. They could tell that unseen tears were falling and Sango smiled as Kirara curled up around both figures and began to purr, offering a little comfort as the two fell fast asleep.

“Do you think he’s really after the Tetsusaiga,” Sango asked Miroku as she glanced over at the stoic figure.

Sesshoumaru was watching Jaken try to coax Rin to go to sleep and he glanced over to the exhausted Kagome. Miroku could have sworn that he heard a inaudible growl come from the Taiyoukai’s general direction. “It can’t be that simple. I don’t believe him to be dishonorable.” He said thoughtfully.

Warily Sango looked at the cold Lord’s young ward. I hope you’re right but, we should still be on our guard, just in case. Miroku nodded as he watched her stand. “Good night Miroku.” Sango said as she smiled demurely at her companion and began to walk away when she felt a hand cup her bottom. Slowly she turned to see that Miroku had a lopsided smile on his face.

“You lecherous monk,” she screamed and a resounding slap echoed throughout the calm of the forest.