บท 12: Silent Comfort
Kagome sighed as she sat uncomfortably in her sleeping bag. She forced herself to focus on the sprawled textbook on her lap. Glancing distractedly at her small wrist watch, her eyes shifted to the direction where Inuyasha and Miroku had disappeared three hours ago. They had gone to a human village for supplies while she, Sango, Shippo, and Kirara waited in a small cave just off the well-traversed path.
Dusk was settling in. Sango was working to kindle fire for light and warmth.
Half an hour later, Miroku returned to the cave with two large bundles in his arms.
"Where is Inuyasha?" Kagome asked as she sorted through a week's supply of food and other necessities. The monk didn't answer and was instead suspiciously counting the remaining coins in his small pouch. When she prompted for a response, he only laughed nervously as he scratched the back of his head.
"Well, houshi-sama?" Sango's face was impassive but her eyes were blazing.
"S-soul collectors…" he stammered, looking down.
"Inu-baka," Shippo muttered while shaking his head.
That did it. Huffing, Kagome rose to her feet and loudly stepped outside the cave. "I'm going out for a walk," she said coldly.
"K-Kagome-sama, it's getting dark. It's too dangerous." Miroku scrambled up to follow her but was stopped when she looked at him with a dangerous glint in her eyes.
Kagome stormed away and headed into the woods. That idiot! Of all nights, tonight was the one night she expected his presence. She couldn't blame him for running to Kikyo again, but still…
Hot tears found their way out as she dashed through the forest thoughtlessly, not minding the uprooted weeds and tangled undergrowth that made her fall to her knees. Her left kneecap hit a rock, scraping the skin. Wincing, she plowed across the shrubs until she found a steady stream of river. She dipped her hands and washed away the dirt, gently scrubbing her scratched knee as she did so.
She sat against a tree not far from the stream and gathered her thoughts. She was frustrated and miserable. And lonely. Heaving a sigh, she watched as stars appeared one by one in the twilight sky. A steady breeze dried her tears and she closed her eyes.
A soft rustle brought her back from her thoughts and she turned around in alarm. "Who's there?"
A tall figure dressed in red and white emerged from the shadows. "Miko."
"Sesshomaru-sama?! W-what are you doing here?" Kagome fumbled and tried to stand but the daiyoukai waved his hand dismissively. He came forward and took a seat beside her, making sure to allow for personal space.
"Why are you alone?" he inquired, giving her a sidelong glance.
"I just wanted some fresh air," she answered lightly, hoping he didn't notice the slight falter in her voice.
"This Sesshomaru can smell when you lie." It was said mellifluously that it took Kagome a moment to note the displeasure in his tone.
She sighed. "It wasn't entirely a lie. It's true that I wanted to get some fresh air, but only because of Inuyasha." Sesshomaru didn't respond, prompting her to explain some more. "I guess I'm just being childish. I refrained from asking him to take me home because I wanted to spend this special day with my friends for once. I wanted to spend it with him."
"Special day?"
"It's my birthday," she whispered. Tears threatened to well up again and she sniffed.
Sesshomaru quirked one brow, uncomprehending.
"Today is the day I was born. In my time, we celebrate this important day with our loved ones. I just thought that maybe… this time… he'd at least tell me 'happy birthday', you know?" It took a moment before she regained her composure. The daiyoukai beside her remained silent and patiently waited for her to continue. "I was supposed to tell them when Miroku-sama and Inuyasha returned from the village, but Inuyasha saw Kikyo's shinidamachu."
"The undead miko," Sesshomaru stated and she nodded to confirm. After a long silence, he spoke again. "Does it not anger you?"
Kagome shook her head. "I can't force Inuyasha to stop chasing Kikyo any more than I can't force my feelings to change. It just makes me sad sometimes. But it's okay." She smiled ruefully. "I'm used to it."
This was answered by another silence. It was dark now and the waning moon cast silvery light around them. Sesshomaru sat with one bent knee, his arm resting on top of it. His impassive face tilted slightly upward, his golden eyes mirroring the glimmering stars above them. He looked serene.
Kagome's expression softened as she realized one thing. Tucking her legs beneath her, she leaned against the tree they shared. "Sesshomaru-sama?"
He turned his penetrating gaze on her.
She sincerely smiled. "Tonight isn't lonely anymore. Arigato."
###
What must I do?
The miko's head rested on his right shoulder, her warm breath lightly caressing his white fur. She had fallen asleep some time in the night.
He silently berated himself. Sesshomaru, you fool! Why did you let this happen?
A shiver from the woman brought him back to his senses. She is cold. Her odd and scant clothing made a concubine look decent. She wrapped her arms around her knees and nestled closer to him. He had noticed the small abrasion on one of her kneecaps earlier and he took this opportunity to look at it more closely. It had only bled a little and a purplish bruise was beginning to show.
He lightly caressed the little wound with his claws. Graceless yet fierce.
She trembled again as another cold draft of wind kissed her bare skin. Sighing, Sesshomaru gently covered her with his fur, his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders.
As he listened to the steady beat of her heart, he let slip two inaudible words, barely a whisper. "Happy birthday."
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