A Demon's Journey: Love Beyond Time

Chapitre 11: Opening of something New

One month had passed since that peaceful day by the river, and in that time, the bond between Nezuko and Sesshomaru had deepened in ways neither of them fully acknowledged. Their interactions had grown more natural, more fluid, and though neither spoke directly of their feelings, it was clear to anyone who saw them that something was changing.

Rin remained the center of their world, a constant source of joy and light. But as the days passed, Sesshomaru found himself drawn more and more to Nezuko—not just because of her strength or intelligence, but because of the quiet warmth she brought into his life. She was unlike anyone he had ever known, and that fascinated him.

It was late afternoon, and the sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the forest. Sesshomaru stood atop a hill, his sharp gaze sweeping over the landscape. Nezuko stood beside him, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon.

"It's been peaceful lately," she remarked softly, the wind catching strands of her dark hair and lifting them into the breeze.

Sesshomaru nodded slightly, though his mind seemed elsewhere. "Peace is temporary in this world. You know that as well as I."

She glanced at him, sensing the weight behind his words. "I do. But... I think we should appreciate these moments while we have them." Her voice was gentle, but there was a firmness in her tone that spoke of experience, of knowing the fragility of happiness.

He turned his head to look at her, his golden eyes softening slightly. "You have changed much since the day we first met."

She raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Is that your way of saying I've grown on you, Lord Sesshomaru?" There was a lightness to her words, but her heart beat faster, wondering how much of his thoughts he would reveal.

Sesshomaru's gaze remained steady, his face calm but his eyes betraying a deeper emotion. "Perhaps."

The word hung in the air between them, carrying more weight than any long confession could. Nezuko felt her breath catch, her heart skipping a beat as she held his gaze. In that single, simple word, he had told her everything she needed to know.

Before she could respond, Rin's voice called out from behind them. "Nezuko! Sesshomaru! Come look! I found some berries!"

Nezuko smiled, turning toward the sound. "Let's go see what she's found," she said, her voice light but her heart still racing from the exchange.

They walked down the hill together, Sesshomaru's presence beside her like a comforting shadow. Rin was crouched near a patch of bushes, her small hands already stained with the juice of the wild berries she had gathered.

"These look so good!" Rin beamed, holding out a handful of the small fruits.

Nezuko crouched down beside her, inspecting the berries. "These are perfect, Rin. You have a good eye for them." She smiled, ruffling the girl's hair affectionately.

Rin giggled and offered some to Sesshomaru, her eyes bright with excitement. "Do you want some, Sesshomaru?"

He glanced down at the offering, and though his expression remained impassive, he gently took a single berry from Rin's hand. "Very well."

Nezuko couldn't help but smile at the sight. Sesshomaru, the powerful and fearsome demon lord, indulging a child's whimsy. It was a side of him few ever saw, and she felt privileged to witness it.

As they ate the berries and enjoyed the peaceful afternoon, Nezuko's thoughts wandered. In the month since their encounter with Kagome and her group, she had found herself slipping into a rhythm with Sesshomaru and Rin—a rhythm that felt almost like a family. She had never expected this, never thought she would find such peace in this strange new life. And yet, here she was, feeling more at home than she ever had before.

Later that evening, as they set up camp for the night, Nezuko found herself sitting beside Sesshomaru near the fire. Rin had fallen asleep, her head resting in Nezuko's lap, and the two of them sat in comfortable silence, the crackling of the fire the only sound between them.

After a long moment, Sesshomaru spoke, his voice low and contemplative. "You have done well with Rin."

Nezuko looked up at him, surprised by the compliment. "Thank you. But she's easy to love."

He regarded her quietly for a moment, his golden eyes flickering with something she couldn't quite place. "It is not a task suited for everyone. You have given her something she lacked for many years—stability."

Her heart softened at his words, and she smiled, her fingers gently brushing through Rin's hair. "I suppose we've both found stability in each other. And... in you." She hesitated, but the words came out before she could stop them.

Sesshomaru didn't respond immediately, but his gaze lingered on her, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he spoke again, his voice softer this time. "You have done more than that. You have brought a kind of peace that I had long thought unattainable."

Nezuko felt her breath catch at the quiet confession, her heart pounding in her chest. She wanted to say something, to acknowledge the depth of his words, but before she could, Sesshomaru stood.

"Rest," he said, his voice returning to its usual composed tone. "I will keep watch."

She watched him walk away, his form disappearing into the shadows beyond the firelight, and felt a wave of emotion wash over her. There was something unspoken between them, something that had been building for weeks. But Sesshomaru, ever guarded, kept those feelings tightly locked away.

He's opening up, she thought as she looked down at Rin, who was still sound asleep. Little by little, he's letting me in.

The next few days passed in a similar manner, with Nezuko and Sesshomaru growing more accustomed to each other's presence. Their interactions became more fluid, more natural, and though neither spoke of their feelings, there was an undeniable shift in the air between them.

One afternoon, as they traveled through a dense forest, they came upon a group of villagers being attacked by a rogue demon. Without hesitation, Nezuko sprang into action, her body moving with a fluidity that spoke of both her strength and her experience in battle. Sesshomaru, of course, followed suit, cutting down the demon with the elegance and precision that he was known for.

After the fight, as the dust settled, Sesshomaru turned to Nezuko, his golden eyes locking onto hers. "You fight with purpose."

She smiled, wiping the sweat from her brow. "I have something to protect. Someone, rather." She glanced over at Rin, who was standing safely with Jaken, her eyes wide with admiration.

Sesshomaru's gaze softened, and for a moment, Nezuko thought she saw something akin to pride flicker in his eyes. "As do I."

The admission sent a thrill through her, and for the first time, she allowed herself to hope. Hope that perhaps this strange, unexpected connection between them could become something more. Something real.

But as they continued their journey, she couldn't shake the feeling that their peaceful days together were numbered. The world was still full of danger, and she knew that their bond would be tested in ways neither of them could foresee.

For now, though, she was content to enjoy the quiet moments, the stolen glances, and the unspoken understanding that had grown between them. Because in this world, peace was fleeting, and love—however subtle—was a treasure worth holding on to.