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

Part 15

I'm glad that demon horses have a lot of stamina, because it's a long way to the mountains. I'm still a few good miles away when it gets too dark to continue. Letting the horse roam free I light myself a fire.

Lying down on the freshly fallen leaves of autumn I stare up into the clear sky. I'm worried about Sesshomaru. What if he got in trouble? "Where are you Sesshomaru?" I whisper in the wind. I release a gasp as a falling star shoots through the sky before disappearing. It was beautiful and, though a skeptic, I take the opportunity to make a wish. Soon I fall asleep, holding the handle of my sword tightly just in case.

When I wake up the next morning I find it to be really cloudy and windy. I do not feel effected by the dreary weather as the wind only makes my spirits soar higher. I've been feeling so good since I got back here, so strong. I feel like I can take on the whole planet. But it's better to stay realistic and stay on your guard at times like these. Leaving the horse to find its way back I start to the mountains, knowing that wherever Akuhei is, that Sesshomaru must be right on his heels. Sesshomaru isn't a forgiving person and I know he will press on until his enemy is destroyed.

Following a long winding and rocky path I begin my trek up the mountain, hand on the hilt of my sword at all times. Every now and then the wind catches me off guard making me stumble as it continues to blow harder. The trees are being pulled at wildly, their leaves easily being ripped off their branches. At one point the trees thin out until there are none left. It's just grey rock from here on. I come across many obstacles like rockslides, sheer cliffs and narrow ledges. I should give him credit for hiding in such a hard to reach place.

I'm alerted when I hear sounds around a corner. Readying myself I wait a moment as it grows silent again. Not trusting the situation I jump out drawing my sword. It clashes against another, making me almost stiffen, thinking I already stumbled on my enemy. Though I sigh in relief when I look up at a pair of surprised golden eyes.

Stepping back making our swords slide along each other I smile, "I thought I would find you here." "You're back." Sesshomaru states, almost questioning himself. "You didn't think you could get rid of me forever did you?" I joke. "I still have a bone to pick with you."

I watch him quietly, my hair whipping around in the wind wildly. After a moment he gives a small smile. "You've become a lot stronger." "I promised you didn't I?" He nods.

"How did you find me here?" he questions. "After reaching your home and finding it trashed I went to Kaede's village. Inuyasha told me that this is where Akuhei is, I figured you might be close. You know, you had me really worried." He looks amused, "You were worried? About me?" "Of course." I state the obvious. "Hm."

It's silent for a moment. "Well?" I urge, raising a brow. "Well what?" "Is that all you have to say? No apologies for leaving me behind like that. No welcome back after two months?" I say sassily, putting my hands on my hips to make myself look bigger. I'm a bit surprised at myself. Where is all this courage coming from?

I'm even more surprised when Sesshomaru grabs me by the collar of my haori, pulling me close to his face. "If this is the result, then I regret nothing." he says in a low voice while smirking. I feel the blood rushing to my head. He's so close...

He let's go just a quick though and I clear my throat in embarrassment. "Right then." I mutter. "Where's Jaken?" I ask changing the subject. I'm sure he notices, but tells me that he left him behind at the bottom.

He glances at my sword. "You got yourself a good sword. It holds a lot of power. What is it called?" he ask curiously. "It's called Nagare-boshi. My father gave it to me. It's an old sword but still as good as new." I explain while he takes a close look at it. "I can tell that many souls possessed this sword. Your family has a linage to be proud of." he praises.

I smile at this. It doesn't happen every day that Sesshomaru hands out a compliment, or more than one for that matter. I really feel like I made him proud and that makes me happy. He hands the sword back to me and our hands brush against each other. I feel blood rushing to my cheeks once more. I really wish I wasn't so prone to blushing.

Together we climb on. It feels good to be with him again, I must admit. It's like there is no other place in the world for me that makes me live to the fullest then when I'm at his side. But I wonder, for how long will this continue? I realized a while ago that I would happily stay by his side for perhaps the rest of my life, but I don't know how Sesshomaru feels about that. Glad, indifferent, or would it upset him?

While I was in my own time I realized just how much I miss him when he's not close to me, that my crush may have developed into love. But... loving Sesshomaru, is that really such a smart thing to do? Probably not as he doesn't care much for humans and I don't know if I can handle it to be rejected by him. I guess I don't have many options. As I mentioned before, I don't lie to myself, so I don't lie about my own feelings. But that doesn't mean I have to say them out loud.

When we get closer to the top that is covered in spiky rocks, Sesshomaru halts. I look at him curiously as he takes a large intake of breath. "He's close. I can smell his stench." I grab onto the handle of my sword, senses in high alert. It's hard to focus on a sound or anything as the wind blows so hard and loudly still.

Suddenly lightning strikes out of nowhere hitting an outcrop. It breaks and comes down on us at great speed. Letting my energy flow to my sword I send out an attack full of Shikigami power. It reduces the boulders to dust. Sesshomaru uses his lightning whip to do the same. Once we are in the clear I look up to see a person standing on one of the many ridges above us. It's a young man of about my age, his hair wavy and dark. He has a familiar set of blood red eyes. "Akuhei." I say in realization. He smirks evilly, "We finally meet."