Ebony Silks Week 93-Progress
Title : Circles
Author : M_Waters
Rating : T
Word Count : 1170
Cannon/AU : Cannon
Summary : Inuyasha and the group start a new mission...and are being watched the whole way through. Continuation of http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4783622/1/Primal_Instinct
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters.
Kagome followed the monk quietly; Sango at her side. They'd been following a rumor of a fallen shrine for the past week; a shrine that strangely, they could simply not find. Ever since her meeting with Sesshomaru, Inuyasha had been more protective--smothering almost. He was there, before her, any time she seemed lost in her own mind.
Treacherous mind.
How she wished she could just forget the whole thing. Instead, her mind delved every so often into the deep recesses of her mind, digging for the memory. She remembered the Inuyoukai's large frame pressing so intimately against her as if it'd been only yesterday. How her heart had jumped at the sudden contact with his cold armor. How those eyes had kept her awake the next night....
She shook her head, ordering herself to stop such thoughts. Such memories could easily lead to danger-specially with with Inuyasha's sharp nose.
“Hey Kagome”
Kagome turned to see Sango's searching brown gaze, concern written so clearly in their depths. Ducking her head, Sango continued, “What did Inuyasha say when he found you?”
Kagome stared ahead, staring right onto Inuyasha's back. Nibbling on her lower lip, she thought of what to say. She knew Sango would worry if she told her what Inuyasha had said. Sango was part of their little family, and therefore deserved to know what was going on...and what was in her mind.
“He didn't believe me...When I told him what had happened with Sesshomaru, his eyes had turned faraway. He completely refused to even acknowledge the idea....and yet,” Kagome shrugged, her eyes suddenly foggy and unfocused.
“Yet?” Sango insisted...probing for information....and hoping there was more.
“His eyes. Denial came from his lips, yet...his eyes were guarded, as if he did believe me.”
Kagome turned to her friend, and noticed the guarded look in her chocolate eyes. “Why are you asking Sango,” Kagome's voice was lowered, softened by suspicion and knowing if she spoke any louder Sango wouldn't be the only one who'd hear.
“When he arrived with you, Kagome, Inuyasha seemed different....” a pink tongue flicked out and moistened dry lips. “His eyes...they were-apprehensive almost.”
Sango cast a quick glance at the younger miko besides her, all the while keeping her eyes on the hanyou ahead of them and her voice soft.
Kagome turned this new piece of information in her head, now sure it hadn't just been her who'd noticed the change in Inuyasha. She wondered what he knew...and what kind of information he was keeping from her. What ever had triggered his sudden change of character, she would figure it out. Clearly he'd smelled his own brother on her...and clearly he'd smelled her blood.
Changing the subject, “It seems as if we're going in circles...I can't wait to find this shrine we heard so much about.”
Sango's smile didn't quite reach her eyes, “Yes, though I wonder what we'll find.”
The monk ahead of them slowed his gate, waiting for both the females to approach him. Walking a step ahead of them now, he easily followed their conversation. He hadn't missed a word of their previous conversation, though he hadn't heard the end of it. Perhaps the hanyou had reason to worry, after all.
“Ah, fair ladies, may I join your conversation?” the monk asked, sweetness drooling from his lips.
Sango rolled her eyes, grateful for the distraction that would sure come with the monk. “Monk...”
“Ah dearest Sango, I do love it when you use that tone” Miroku closed his eyes, as if to savor the 'tone'.
Kagome smiled, warmed by the obvious display of affection-as hidden as it was by such playfulness. She couldn't help but feel the terrible sting of jealousy and regret. Perhaps if she'd played her cards better, she'd been able to win Inuyasha fully by now. Though games and seduction were not her forte, she was a woman. And a woman always held a certain sense of sensuality that could be tapped on instinct.
Sighing to herself, “Miroku, what do you know of this shrine?”
Miroku's dark orbs closed, his brow creasing in concentration. “I believe Inuyasha knows the full story, isn't that right Inuyasha?” the monk's words had been spoken in his normal tone, and Kagome wandered if Inuyasha would hear him at all.
“Keh-yeah...” came the gruff reply.
Miroku grinned mischievously, having just exposed his eavesdropping friend. “Then please, continue...”
Slowing his pace, Inuyasha marched a few steps ahead, “They said the shrine was home to an old priest and his monks-place used to be a shelter from demons. Lately, though, there's been some type of dark aura around the place...” Inuyasha let his sentence trail.
Comfortable silence encased the group...and Kagome had the strong feeling that everything was as it was before. Though Sesshomaru's actions had not progressed further...it was enough to make Kagome burn. And not with embarrassment, though it should of...but with something else.
“We're here...finally,” someone said....Kagome wasn't paying attention.
The shrine, hidden by greenery, was nothing like any of them had envisioned. The grounds were well maintained, flowery vines reached towards the roof on the side of the building, and the stairs leading up to the shrine were untarnished by visitors.
Perhaps they had come to the wrong place...it certainly lacked the 'dark aura' it was said to possess.
oOo
One week. He'd been following the woman for an entire week...for no apparent reason. Golden eyes followed the willowy figure of the miko as she walked around the hanyou. His hands itched to have those silky ebony tresses running through his fingertips...
That night was all he thought about-of his almost victory. Her lips were ripe for the taking, and yet...he'd been unable to claim them. His hands had wandered, he'd taken her scent in to his heart's content, and yet...Those eyes-Rin's eyes. The trust and love the tiny child so freely gave to him, it was there, in the miko's. And yet-it was not directed at him; but at his brother.
He turned to see the miko walk towards the wretched shrine, his face neutral. Did they not see it? Though the shrine did not exude it's dark aura, the lack of one should of warn his bastard of a brother's group.
Turning, he walked away. He would keep close to the miko, but now he needed to return to his pup-though he'd never say it aloud. Rin was at risk for illness, and needed to be watched. For now, all he could do was protect what would one day be his, after all.