A Sister's Gift

Chapter 31 – A Chance Meeting

Sesshomaru traveled through the streets full of humans as discretely as possible, considering that humans were struck with fear at the mere sight of him. He was surprised a couple of time during his trip, to notice that several human females boldly gawked in admiration at his chiseled features. That was certainly new. Maybe the prejudices of humans would one day be a thing of the past?

He seriously doubted that..

Once he reached the outskirts of the bustling capital, Sesshomaru moved into the trees, where he was less noticeable. Here he could begin his sprint toward the thick forests where his prey awaited. With speed granted by the Gods, the demon sped toward his goal; occasionally dodging scattered huts and farmland.

On and on he went, only seen as a flash of white to the human eye, running with inuyoukai swiftness. The wooded area became much denser, but his agility to maneuver these obstacles made this an easy task. Up ahead he could smell water. His sensitive hearing picked up the trickling swirling water of a small stream, and up ahead he could make out a rocky edifice. The trees were numerous, as was the underbrush, causing him to slow down to a light jog, while he surveyed the area. He could see a trickle of smoke lingering in the skyline much further down steam, and quickly decided to steer clear of the dwelling.

Sesshomaru leapt over the crystal clear running water, and stopped to delicately sniff the air. He smirked as he caught a faint trace of a potential meal, and immediately began his sprint in that direction. He came to the edge of a small clearing, which was overgrown with grass and weeds. He quietly followed the scent as he scoured the forest floor for additional signs. Soon he spotted the split hoof print of a deer, possibly a big doe, but maybe a buck. He hoped it was a doe, bucks could be a bit tough.

The demon followed the tracks, which weaved in and around the tree trunks. The smell of his prey was becoming stronger, until he could actually hear the blood rushing through its veins. She stood across the clearing, grazing warily, as she occasionally lifted her delicate head to search for potential danger. Her ears flicked to and fro, before finally lowering her head to once again begin her feast of tender grass.

The predator stalking the deer, quirked a little smile before making his way just a little closer. His instincts clicked in as his golden eyes began to fade to red. This would be easy.

Sesshomaru washed the remainder of the deer’s blood from his claws, and watched as the crimson liquid flowed down a new path in the water below. He felt good. His body felt rejuvenated, and once again at full power. He stood up and flicked the water from his dripping hands, then took a deep breath of the fresh clean air. He loved the wilderness. It was in his blood. Times like this was when he missed his homeland the most. The lush forests surrounding his castle were vast and plentiful with game. He loved to hunt the Western lands when he was a youth, and felt a pang of longing to do so again. He shook the stray thought from his mind, as he was not one to dwell on the things that could never be, and decided to head back to his Kagome.

He chose to take it at a little slower pace, since he had made good time getting here. Inuyasha would guard his mate until his return, and he was sure that right now she was busy doing charitable miko things. What a waste of time.

The forests here were not exactly like those of his home, and he found himself intrigued by some of the floral vegetation. Several times he stopped to inspect a lovely bouquet, thinking that it would be nice to show the blossoms to Kagome, just to hear her squeal in delight.

Suddenly, there was a piercing scream some distance away. He was about to disregard it as not his problem, but curiosity got the better of him, or maybe it was just a little of that goody-goody miko thing rubbing off on him. Either way, Sesshomaru soon found himself sprinting in the direction of that terrified sound.

He soon discovered that the source of his interest had come from a small human girl, who was currently being attacked by a wolf as its other pack members moved in to join in the kill. The demon thought to leave the wolves to their meal, when the child caught sight of him. The pleading look in those huge brown eyes made him do the strangest thing. Sesshomaru made short work of the wolf that had it’s teeth embedded in the child’s thigh, and two other fools that had apparently taken leave of their canine senses and tried to attack him. The few stragglers remaining had second thoughts about the situation and swiftly disappeared into the forest.

Sesshomaru looked down at the child lying at his feet. She didn’t speak a word, in fear or otherwise. She did not cry out in pain, and to his amazement flashed him a huge innocent smile. What a strange creature. The unusual nature of this ningen girl reminded him of someone.

Kagome.

On a normal day he would not have rescued a human. On an average day he would have considered his good deed fulfilled and taken his leave. Today was just not panning out to be the average day. His thoughts were rambling between his curiosity to understand the uncharacteristic behavior of the small bleeding child he now carried in his arms, and the even stronger idea that maybe he was losing his mind.

The child pointed toward the smoke he spotted earlier, and much to his chagrin, he found himself heading toward the one place he meant to steer clear of. Although the little girl herself was accepting of him, he was sure that her parents would not be. He berated himself for being a dunce, as he knowingly walked straight toward certain trouble.

The trees began to thin, and Sesshomaru saw a small run down field, badly in need of tending. They walked past and on toward the hut ahead. The child never uttered a sound, and only pointed in the direction she wished him to follow. As he stood before the door, he was unsure of what to do next. He could just set the girl down, and leave, but something felt wrong about that. It only took him a moment to recognize what it was.

It was quiet. Too quiet. Maybe her parents were away? The only sound he could pick up was the crackling embers of a dying fire in the cooking hearth. Very strange.

He opened the door and quickly scanned the hut for signs of life, even though he was sure there was none, before stepping further inside the dwelling. The child pointed toward a mat in the corner, and as he made his way across the room, he picked up the scent of old blood.

After depositing his load gently on the grass mat, he backtracked to the center of the room, where he kneeled down and studied the floor. There was a noticeable stain there, which reeked of old human blood. Things were beginning to make a bit more sense. Sesshomaru glanced to the child who was busy wrapping her wound with a strip of cloth.

“Child, where are your parents?” he asked.

She stopped the administrations to her wound, as she slowly shook her head from side to side. Her salty tears did not go un-noticed by the taiyoukai, and he now knew that he had a whole new dilemma on his hands.