The Once and Future Taiyoukai By RosieB. (Inuyasha FanFic)

Chapter 14: A Bridge

ALL RIGHTS TO ROSIE B ON FANFICTION.NET Rosie B [https://www.fanfiction.net/u/38149/RosieB]

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Chapter 14: A Bridge

A/N: Okay, all. I'm really sorry that I've taken so long. Even I was saying to myself, "Geez, Rosie, when are you going to finish that chapter? People are WAITING. And rather patiently at that. Get a move on!" Good news though – I am done with the internships that have taken all my time and energy. I have 8 weeks in which to do nothing but play with my new puppy and write. I hope that you were a bit appeased by my new one-shot, My Obligation, the first of a collection called The Cricket's Cage. If you haven't yet, go read and review!

For those that have forgotten what's happening: Kagome and Sesshoumaru are headed back to meet up with Midoriko after dropping the orphaned Koga off with his uncles. An imp creature attacked them and Kagome got its jewel shard, which brings her total up to 2. She needs to get the rest before returning to her own time and she's starting to get depressed about how much destruction she's bringing on this time period. They also picked up a new companion – Akemi, the baby fire-cat.

The Once and Future Taiyoukai

Chapter 14: A Bridge

Kagome dug into her yellow bag, muttering to herself. "I know it's in here."

Sesshoumaru opened one golden eye. "You have a penchant for forgetting things," he replied. "It is probably back at my father's palace."

"No, I'm certain it's here." She pulled out a thick stack of kimono and placed them on the taiyoukai's lap. "Hold these for a second."

He accepted them in silence as the top half of Kagome disappeared into her bag. She emerged a moment later with a triumphant grin and wiggling a cylindrical object between her fingers.

"Got it," she said. She turned to the entrance of the shallow cave and the torrents of rain coming down on the forest. She pressed herself deeper into the hollow, so that her back was against Sesshoumaru's arm and unsnapped the tie around the umbrella she had dug out of her bag. Holding it at the end of her outstretched arms, she opened it and set it against the entrance. Rain started tapping against the waterproof fabric and she relaxed. "Finally. Although my butt is soaked already," she groused, lifting herself off the ground and brushing at her damp backside.

Sesshoumaru watched in interest as Kagome situated herself against the rock beside him. Rain never bothered him, but Kagome had insisted upon finding shelter as soon as the first droplets had started falling upon them. Now it was a full-fledged deluge. They were going to be there for a while.

But her black hair glistened with the water, as if she was covered in tiny jewels. Even her wet eyelashes caught the dim light. The contraption she had put up to protect them from the rain was patterned in blue, red and green and so every droplet sparkled like a sapphire, ruby or emerald. She was breathtaking.

He was unaware that he looked similar, with the water jewels running all the way down his braid and his fur pelt. Kagome, looking at him out of the corner of her eye, couldn't help but think that he looked more like a king in this moment than any other.

The air was growing thick and Kagome averted her eyes. "It's going to be dark before this lets up," she said. "We're not going to be able to start a fire. Everything will be soaked."

Sesshoumaru nodded. His throat was dry and he had to swallow several times before replying. "We are fortunate that it has not rained on us until now. It is unusual for early autumn to have such little rain." He paused and shifted slightly. "I suppose we should wait until tomorrow morning before attempting to walk the rest of the way to Midoriko's village."