What the Darkness Brings

What the Darkness Brings
By: I Agree

Disclaimer: I own nothing

PART I: The Consequence of Recovery

A.N. This entire thing was purely (well, there are some important parts…) indulgence for my over-active imagination which demanded more interaction between Sesshou-Maru and Kagome. Please enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

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Chapter 7: Bath Time!

The bastards scent was close.

His head lifted and he scented the air, taking in the smell of his most hated enemy. Naraku had been there not too long ago.

Sesshou-Maru turned on his heel and headed in a different direction than his original course. It had been two days since the girls first session, she could wait longer. Indeed, after the treatment he’d mistakenly given her the last time, he was sure she didn’t want him coming too soon.

With that in mind, he went on his new course, following the recent trail of the human turned hanyou. He was slightly surprised when he reached an old well. His mouth twisted into a frown. What would the bastard do at a decrepit old well? Carefully, he stalked the perimeter of the clearing, both eyeing and scenting for anything unusual, any traps. He found nothing, as astonishing as that was, so he continued to the old structure in the middle of the clearing.

When he reached it Sesshou-Maru touched the wooden lip of the well. A sensation of two powerful magicks shot through him causing him to raise an eyebrow in surprise. An old magic of a familiar, long dead priestess and the current priestess of the Shikon no Tama’s magic.

Perhaps this was the portal to the miko’s ‘world.’ The motley pack was never too quiet with their discussions, it would be easy for any creature to discern the girl was not from this place. He himself had overheard one of his brothers arguments with the girl when she had wanted to ‘go back to her world.’ By simply following her when she escaped the hanyou one could find out how she traveled between worlds. If that was so, then Naraku had done just that.

It was odd though. The bastard had done nothing to the portal. The wells magic was suppressed by a greater energy. But it was not Naraku’s energy which overpowered it. It was the child priestess’s energy.

The more primal instincts in him demanded once more that he go and kill the girl, take out the threat to him. She could kill him if she wished, and, though he was loath to admit, she could do it very easily. No matter what he outwardly claimed, a priestess would always have an advantage over him. Over any demon.

The more rational side of him, the part that demanded he think everything through, knew better than the primal. The priestess could not hurt him knowingly. She would never hurt him knowingly. Not while she considered him an ally (though he probably would not be one for very long). She had an inability to hurt anything she loved or cared for. There would be no use in eliminating her. There was no threat.

But there was a potential for usury, and he had grasped that potential with two, eh… one hand. The girl was the only one indebted to him able to restore his arm without wanting – and succeeding in – damaging it.

Switching his thoughts to his original course for being ‘late,’ Sesshou-Maru concentrated on the feel of the area around him. For a good ten minutes he searched for any bit of evidence of Naraku’s mischief, not wanting his own plans to be thwarted by the ignorant bastard. It wouldn’t do to lose such an asset. But finding the hanyou hadn’t tampered with anything within the clearing, Sesshou-Maru again turned and made his way to the little village.

In a short time, he was on the outskirts of the village, being suspiciously eyed by the farmers. He looked past them as he pressed on, making sure he was aware of their locations in case they decided to attack him. He doubted it really, but he could never be too sure. Some might not care for the priestess after all.

It hit him when he was just past the little herb patch the old miko was growing. Stench. And not the normal stench either. This was very nearly rancid and capable of rendering a weaker demon – with the same sense of smell – unconscious. Heaving a sigh, the youkai lord kept going and pushed aside the new bamboo door. Instantly his eyes went to the one producing the malodorous stench, ignoring her pleasant smile and the others within the room.

“You offend my nose, girl.”

Her mouth dropped open instantly, shock at hearing him say something so personal making her speechless. All others in the hut seemed to back off slightly, as if awaiting a storm. Said storm came in the form of a red faced miko who growled pitifully at him in anger and raised her middle finger to him. Now he had no idea what that meant, but considering he had just insulted the girl he figured the sentiment was nothing favorable.

With a raised eyebrow, Sesshou-Maru took a step forward, “If you feel that way, priestess, I suppose I must bathe you myself.”

Much to his amusement, the finger dropped and her mouth fell open ever so slightly in her surprise. He used her inability to respond to his advantage, swooping down and gently picking her up. The girl shrieked as he positioned her up-right against his chest, using his only arm under her hind-end to hold her up and his tail wrapped around her waist to keep her balanced. He didn’t allow any time for the others – or her for that matter – to protest as he swept out of the hut.

“Sesshou-Maru! Get your ass back here!”

The abrasive voice of his brother made him roll his eyes, but it did not make him pause in his endeavors.

“Damnit did you hear me!?”

Again, Sesshou-Maru ignored the boy, now highly intrigued with the way the miko’s face was reddening with anger and embarrassment. Her mouth opened and closed continually as she tried – unsuccessfully – to come up with some command to make him stop.

“I told you to stop damnit!”

She really was a strange creature. Any other female would be shrieking at the top of their lungs at his ‘audacity’ of bathing her. Though, perhaps she was kindly leaving such an act to Inu-Yasha. He sounded quite like a woman. In fact he sounded like an offended mother hen. Amusing.

“Get back here and give me back Kagome!”

With a sigh, Sesshou-Maru finally decided to pay attention to the whelp. “Come, hanyou,” He tossed over his shoulder, “See that this Sesshou-Maru is doing nothing ‘untoward’ to his patient.”

The reminder of his relationship towards the miko shut his younger brother up as he had expected, though the little bastard still grumbled under his breath.

“D-don’t I get a say in this?” His gaze turned to the red faced priestess at her squeaked inquiry, seeing that she had gained his attention, she continued. “And should you even be holding me like this? It’s really uncomfortable.”

He nearly rolled his eyes, but refrained as he caught the scent of a nearby hot spring. Instantly he turned in that direction glad he had found one so soon. He had feared he would have to endure her horridly polluted scent for longer. He had also been thinking he might have to go find a water source and bring it to her, just to get away from the smell for a bit. It looked like luck was on his side for the time being.

“I am supporting your weight and keeping you balanced. It is uncomfortable because you are using muscles which you have not in some time. You will be fine.”

She frowned at his evasion. “What about my first question? You’ve already seen more of me than I care most to, I don’t want you seeing anymore!”

“Tell me, did they bathe you at all?”

She poked his armor, “Yes! They washed me!”

Sesshou-Maru shook his head ever so slightly, “Obviously not well enough. A latrine is less offensive than you.”

The red of her face deepened and she glared darkly at him, her lower lip stuck out in a pout. “It’s not my fault. It’s not like I enjoy feeling dirty.” She muttered.

“I did not say you were at fault miko. It is they who are in the wrong. They are not caring for you properly.” He frowned, becoming highly disappointed with his former assistant, “Which means I must speak to Nezumi, of course. He is not to be lax like this.”

“Don’t blame the rat,” Inu-Yasha spoke from behind, “Kagome can be scarier than hell when she wants to be.”

An eyebrow rose as he stepped through a slight clearing and came upon the crystal clear spring. He looked down at the reddened face of his current charge, silently assessing her potential to frighten anything. Innocent face, flushed with embarrassment… her features were plain in his opinion. But there was nothing frightening about her. As he had thought, she wouldn’t be able to scare a mouse. Sesshou-Maru snorted as he gently laid her on her back across a smooth rock. “Highly doubtful brother.”

The sudden scent of amusement from the hanyou had Sesshou-Maru turning around with curiosity. A smug grin stretched his brothers features and fortunately, he did not have to ask for him to share what was so amusing.

“She ain’t scary now, but when she’s pissed…” Inu-Yasha chuckled, “Man, I hope I’m there when you piss her off.”

“I’m right here you know!” A sudden shuffling behind him had Sesshou-Maru turning about.

He frowned in annoyance, “Do not attempt to rise, woman.”

But she was already on her elbows, glaring up at him, “Don’t worry about it. It felt worse when you were holding me. Besides I didn’t use any back muscles and I’m still not.”

Sesshou-Maru sat down lotus style and pushed her down, “Improbable.”

She stuck her tongue out at him like a difficult child, reminding him more of Rin when she was put out with Jaken than a miko. Quicker than the eye could see, he had the pink appendage between two claws. Behind him, Inu-Yasha shifted nervously, his scent becoming agitated. He watched in amusement as the miko’s eyes crossed themselves in order to see what he was going to do and her hand came up and grasped his wrist. She didn’t dare try to force his hand away, fearing he would cut her tongue. After a moment of silence where she tried to come up with a scenario that would have her keep her tongue, she wisely settled on merely glaring up at him. He smirked down at her. “If you are going to behave so inappropriately, you should expect repercussions.”

Her answer was again childish, a grunt of irritation which both dismissed his claim and annoyed him. He raised an eyebrow but let go of her tongue without another word. Immediately the appendage was back in her mouth, her lips tightly sealed as she crossed her arms and glared up at him. The whole effect was much less imitating with her lying on the ground before him. Ignoring her annoyance with him, Sesshou-Maru turned slightly so he could eye his tense brother. “Go back to the village and bring back the girls bathing supplies and a change of clothing.”

Inu-Yasha tensed up, “I ain’t your errand boy.”

“No,” Sesshou-Maru agreed readily, “For now you are my assistant, as I cannot do the same as I could with two arms.”

“You could still go get her stuff with one arm, asshole.”

A gleam entered Sesshou-Maru’s eyes, “As can you.”

Hearing the threat in his older brothers words, Inu-Yasha huffed irritably and went back the way he came. A weak poking at his leg had Sesshou-Maru turning, raising an eyebrow at the slim finger which was obviously poking at him as hard as it could without harming itself in the process. He looked to the irate miko’s face, wondering if she knew that he’d removed hands from humans and youkai alike for such an annoyance.

She was glaring at him, “That wasn’t nice you know.”

He inclined his head in acknowledgment, “I am not nice. The situation suited me.”

“You can be nice.”

“Highly doubtful.”

“Okay, so you’re very cruel.” Suddenly her eyes and tone became hopeful. “So are you going to be nice enough to wash me? Or cruel enough to let me wash myself?”

A lazy smirk crossed Sesshou-Maru’s lips at her slyness. Ah, but he was much more clever than she. “This Sesshou-Maru is going to be cruelly nice.”

Her confused expression made the moment all the more sweeter, “So… your going to wash me, but I get to wash myself?”

“Yes.”

“You’re confusing.”

“No, you are just simple minded.”

“Hey!”

“Yes?”

“I am not stupid!”

“I did not say you were.”

“You implied it!”

“Nevertheless, I did not say it.”

Kagome crossed her arms and glared at the tree line on the other side of the spring. Her lower lip stuck out in a pout, again reminding him of his Rin. “I’m not stupid.”

Sesshou-Maru sighed in irritation, but didn’t bother saying anything. If he was lucky, this would keep her silent for some time. Females were notorious for holding grudges, and he was one to let them keep their anger with him. So if she were like any normal female, she wouldn’t want him to even touch her.

“I don’t want you to see me naked.”

With her he was never that lucky, and she wasn’t normal.

Again he sighed, almost raising his hand to rub the bridge of his nose. “I don’t want to see you naked.”

Her eyes snapped to his, “So have Sango bathe me.”

Sesshou-Maru waved a hand in the air dismissively, “No matter if she is a taijiya, she does not have enough strength to hold you long enough to have you properly cleaned.”

“You only have one arm,” she pointed out as if he hadn’t known.

“And a tail in which to hold you as you clean your front and privates.”

She did an excellent imitation of a fish as she searched words to respond to him. Eventually her shock wore off and she searched his face, “You won’t look?”

“No.”

“Promise?”

He nodded, “This Sesshou-Maru promises to see no more than your reverse side.”

She blushed brightly, “What exactly will you be washing?”

He looked behind himself as Inu-Yasha loudly made himself known some forty feet away. An eyebrow rose when he sensed the taijiya, Nezumi, and the kit accompanying him. Troublesome, well the woman would have to make herself useful. “Your legs and your back.”

“Oh.”

He turned to look at his patient again, his amusement rising as he noted her bright red blush. “I guess that’s okay,” she breathed, “I mean, you’ve already seen my back.”

He nodded his agreement and closed his eyes to wait the arrival of the others. He didn’t have to wait long. Quicker than he had expected, a streak of orange passed over his shoulder and landed on the miko’s stomach.

“Kagome!” He could scent the worried tears the kit was about to shed.

“Hi Shippou.”

“Did Sesshou-Maru hurt you?”

Rolling his eyes, Sesshou-Maru plucked the kit up by the tail and tossed him into the spring. The little youkai shrieked loudly, until a resounding splash quieted the offending sounds. Immediately the kit was up, glaring at him as he paddled over to the shore.

“HEY!” He had to prevent the miko from getting up again, and he raised an eyebrow when she violently poked him in the stomach – as she couldn’t reach his chest. “Don’t you do that to Shippou!”

As he watched, the fox pup climbed onto a dry rock and shook himself dry. “He was being a nuisance.”

“He was being worried!”

“He has his nose. He should be capable of scenting whether I harmed you or otherwise.”

Her glare to him never wavered, even as the fox snuck back to her side, huddling like a coward against her side. Sesshou-Maru narrowed his eyes at the kit but made no move to remove him. He was not on her person nor in his way anymore so it would be allowed for now. He frowned, however, when the kit began sniffing her.

“Kagome you still smell bad.”

The miko’s face distorted in embarrassment and annoyance, “Oh, hush up, Shippou.”

The kit looked highly confused, but before he had a chance to question her sudden aggravation the others joined them.

“Lord Sesshou-Maru.” He turned slightly to acknowledge that he’d heard the taijiya, she glanced at her friend laying before him before she continued, “Do you think it’s proper for you to bathe Kagome?”

He merely sighed, but instead of answering her, he turned to his half-brother, “Leave.”

Inu-Yasha gave him the same gesture Kagome had before, sticking his middle finger up at him. But the hanyou did leave, not letting Sesshou-Maru retaliate at all. Annoying.

Carefully he picked up the miko, still making sure not to damage her anymore than she was, holding her with his arm under her shoulders and tail about her legs and hips. She gave a slight squeak as he pulled her onto his lap. Almost instantly she had her arm about him, clutching at his haori. When he was assured he had a secure hold on her, he stood and waded into the warm water.

“S-Sesshou-Maru!”

He looked down at the priestesses red face. “Yes?”

“You’re wearing white!”

He nodded compliantly, “Red and blue and yellow as well.”

“You do know white goes see-though when wet, right?”

“I am well aware.”

She glared up at him as he sat lotus style in a shallower part of the spring, making sure her head was above water. He rested her on his lap, his tail unwinding from around her to rest wetly back in its original place. Her clutch on his haori tightened as she sank into the water, obviously feeling he was going to drown her or some such. When were they ever going to learn that he held a high distaste for wasting time?

“You may not have any modesty, but I would very much appreciate it if you didn’t abuse mine.”

An eyebrow quirked upward at her unusually eloquent demand. “I am not intending on ‘abusing’ your modesty. My eyes will be shut.” Her mouth opened to retort, but he didn’t give her enough time to voice another protest as he turned to address the exterminator. “You will help her out of her clothing.”

The woman started, but went to work immediately starting with the ties of the miko’s yukata. Dutifully, Sesshou-Maru closed his eyes, not wishing to see anymore than what the priestess was willing to show. She was human after all and only a moderately attractive one at that. Her scent though when she was clean… so delectable he could nearly taste it. Like the onset of rain with a touch of lavender. He had been loathe to kill her each time he found it necessary to (though he had oddly never succeeded), feeling it a shame to rid the world of such a tasty scent.

The scent of soap soon filled the air around him, easing away the rancid scent which had plagued him since he had gotten to the old hags hut. It was slowly replaced by her natural scent, relaxing him no small degree. He just hoped she was thorough with her cleaning. He was just going to keep with his shallow breathing until he was sure she was properly washed.

It was some time later when the miko spoke up timidly, “I’m done cleaning what I can.”

‘Thank Kami.’ Turning his head – though still not opening his eyes – he addressed the other woman. “Wrap the bathing cloth about her as much as you are able, and then lie another on dry grass.”

“I got the one for the ground, Sango,” shouted the over-helpful kitsune.

Eventually, when he was allowed to open his eyes, Sesshou-Maru stood and carried the miko to the soft grass, laying her on the blanket Shippou had laid out. He heard her sigh at being again placed on her stomach. Obviously she had grown quite weary of it. He ignored her annoyance, though, and gently pulled the cloth from about her, dropping it onto her (rather attractive) hind-end before she could think to complain about privacy.

He grabbed another, smaller cleaning linen and set to work cleaning what she couldn’t get to. As he cleared the accumulated filth, he dredged up enough will to take a deep enough breath through his nose to correctly scent the miko. His paw twitched only slightly in his surprise.

For the past few weeks, the only scent he’d known the girl to have was one of sickness and, at times, blood. She was human. Human scents were imbued with the odors of death and rebirth (a peculiar trait only held by those who had shorter life-spans and he had yet to figure out why). It was a bitter sweet scent he didn’t care for, never had. But, while Kagome did have the scent of death and life entwined with her luscious scent, it was not as dominant as it was on other humans. Minutely her scent had changed from the first time he had ever met her. Perplexed, Sesshou-Maru didn’t say a word to them, but merely went about his cleaning.

After some time, when he was completely satisfied with her cleanliness, he tossed aside the washing cloth and began the girls exercises. He heard her groan minutely when he raised up her right leg a couple inches from the ground.

“This one pains you more.” It was not a question.

“Just a bit.” She admitted, her face buried in her arms.

He switched to her left leg after counting twenty stretches for her right. He listened and watched for any signs of discomfort and was satisfied to find none. “This one does not bother you as much.”

The girl snorted, “Wow, you’re really good at that. What are you, some kind of doctor?”

Sesshou-Maru sighed for at least the fiftieth time that day as he continued to stretch and work her muscles. It was going to be a blessing if he didn’t kill this girl before she was through with her therapy.

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A.N. Again… purely indulgence…

Please Regard Me Kindly,
I Agree