After the Mask (Secret of the cursed mask game sequel)

Part 4

~Sesshomaru

I am just returning home when a smell catches my nose. A demon is on my territory! I hear Jaken screaming after me as I take off. I'm not bothered; he can catch up on Ah-Un.

My anger grows when I follow its scent right at my home. If any harm came to them I'll...

Pulling out Tokijin I find my way into the garden just as Jaken arrives. What I find there rather shocks me. It seems Kaname already took care of it, but just barely.

Looking her over as she shakes in shock I see one fang imbedded into her arm. This alarms me. That demon is poisonous. Running up to her I grab the demons head, yanking it up and away from her. It creaks disgustingly as I do so.

I crouch down beside her to see the first signs of the poison already take effect. I tell Jaken to get a doctor. He'd better hurry; this is going to get ugly.

I pick her up to take her inside. I watch as she looks confused for a moment before her eyes start to roll to the back of her head. The poison spreads fast and she deteriorates quickly.

When stepping inside, Rin and Suki run towards us, both starting to cry when they spot Kaname. I hurry to her room, laying her down before closing the door. It's best they see as little as possible.

When I turn back to Kaname she is about as white as the bedding she's laying on. Knowing there is no time to lose, I take her wounded arm and suck out as much of the poison as possible, only stopping once her blood tastes more normal. Soon after the doctor arrives who makes me wait outside.

While waiting, Rin and Suki explain what happened before we arrived. I can't believe she went up against that demon alone, but hearing from them I understand she did so without hesitation and wanted to protect them from harm. I believe I owe her for her bravery. If only I had come earlier though...

~ Kaname

It hurts to open my eyes. Literally everything hurts, but I try to anyway. I groan as my eyes finally open to see myself facing the ceiling of my room at Sesshomaru's. I know so because of the patterns in the wood.

Letting my head fall to the side my eyes widen as I spot Sesshomaru standing by the shutters, just looking outside. "S..Shess.." is all I can breathe out. He turns his head, his golden eyes landing on my pathetic form.

"Foolish girl. You almost got yourself killed." he scolds calmly.

"S..Sorry." I sputter weakly, feeling ashamed.

He turns his body to me fully. "What are you sorry for? You fought hard. You should have no regrets." I just blink at him, surprised at his words.

Walking closer he crouches down before picking up a bowl. He moves behind me, putting the bowl beside him and lifting my upper body. I can feel my head being placed on his lap before he reaches back for the bowl and puts it to my lips. "Drink." I do as said and soon water passes by my grateful parched throat.

After finishing the water completely he puts the bowl back down, but he doesn't move from his spot. It's a bit awkward, but most of all surprising. I didn't expect him to be this involved in my recovery. I understand that I must have been poisoned, what else could I expect from a demon like that.

"Are Rin and Suki alright?" I finally ask him as I look up at him, my voice now coming out more clearly.

"They're fine."

I sigh in relief. "I'm glad. I was afraid that I might have gotten rusty, but that doesn't seem the case." My eyes sadden then, "Though...I'm not strong enough yet. What if I come across a demon even more powerful? There is no possible way I could protect them."

"Hm." he merely hums.

I groan as I sit up, pain coursing through me causing me to wince every now and then. I turn towards the demon behind me. "Sesshomaru, I would like to ask for a favor. I know I have no right since you already offered me a place to stay, but please...could you train me to become stronger?"

His eyes stare into mine for the longest time. "I won't go easy on you." he warns.

I nod resolutely, feeling determined. "That's fine, I'll work hard."

He nods and gets up walking to the door. "Once you feel better, we will leave. Be ready." he says before leaving the room. I smile after him. He's being really kind for his doing.

..........

It took me another three days before I could walk around pain free. The wound on my arm is still healing but getting along nicely.

I put on my priestess clothes, only instead of a long skirt, I have it replaced with red hakama's. It's easier to move in those during my training and if I need to fight along the way. Looking around to see if I forgot anything I finally leave the room for the last time in who knows how long.

Walking outside, I put a small pack of necessities on Ah-Un's back and pet the dragon in thanks before turning towards my traveling companions. Sesshomaru nods to show that he's ready to go. Waving at Suki and the other servants I take Rin's hand and quickly follow after Sesshomaru and Jaken who already started walking. I'm really excited, like I'm about to step into a whole new adventure.

We travel through fields, woods and across streams as we near the mountains. It's already late when we finally take a rest. Rin slides of Ah-Un's back and joins Jaken who goes to gather wood. I take it upon myself to gather fruit and other edibles that grow from trees or bushes. When I return I see that Sesshomaru caught some fish and a bird.

After we eat I find myself on a hill overlooking the valley we came from as the sun slowly sets. A warm summers' breeze blows my bangs away from my face. I can't help but smile at the content feeling coursing through me.

There is a quiet shuffle behind me. "Is it strange of me to say that I feel more at home here than where I was born and raised?" I ask.

"Were you unhappy there?" Sesshomaru questions.

I turn to him. "Oh not at all. I have friends there and my parents, although stubborn, are very good people. I love them very much."

"Hm." he hums quietly.

"It's just that I always felt like something was missing, something that is only present here." I muse.

"Do you think you will return to your home?" he asks.

I turn looking back out at the view. "I would be lying if I said I could just stay here and bare with not ever seeing my parents again. I hope that I somehow find a way to travel back and forth without trouble." He grunts in understanding and says nothing further as we both watch the sun go down for the day.