The End is only the Beginning von leonie2 ================================================================================ Kapitel 9: Chapter 9: Tea and Conservation ------------------------------------------ Chapter 9: Tea and Conservation When Sesshoumaru awoke two hours later, he was once again in full command over his senses. Other than that there were no improvements, he still felt as weak as a newborn pup and his temperature had still not dropped to its normal level. He used the time to make sense of the information he had so far. Apparently he had been unable to neutralize the reiki in his body and had almost succumbed to the resulting blood loss. Because of that, Jakken had brought Inuyasha’s miko to the castle who had not only lifted the curse but also sewn him together like some piece of cloth. With some difficulties, he lifted his hand and touched gingerly the stitches on his chest. The audacity of that woman! Some minutes later, he was bored out of his mind since he could neither go back to sleep nor find something to occupy his mind longer than a few minutes. He had always hated to be confined to a room and preferred much more to wander through his lands like a nomad. Being in the castle reminded him of his duties, both political and dynastic which he loathed both. It was enough to return every few months to take care of the most pressing issues and leave the castle again before the questions about when he intended to produce an heir with a suitable mate got too loud. Shaking those thoughts from his mind, he decided that he would not spend any more time in his bedchamber. Fresh air was all he needed to heal and he would get just that. It took him a seemingly infinite time to get out of the bed and onto his feet. By the time he reached the shoji screen that led to the garden, he felt sweat forming on his forehead. He leaned for a moment on the wall to steady his shaking legs. Fortunately, there were no servants around to witness his display of weakness. He would have killed anyone who had seen it. Sheer willpower gave him the strength to slide the screen open and step outside into the cool morning air. He made it to the nearest maple tree before his body gave up and he slid gracelessly to the ground, leaning his back on the trunk. … Convincing Jakken that she did not intend to poison his lord with her herbs had not been easy for Kagome nor was the preparation of those herbs while an extremely suspicious toad youkai looked over her shoulder, commenting on every step of the procedure. When the tea was finally brewed to her satisfaction she had been ready to strangle the imp. Now she was standing in Sesshoumaru’s empty bedroom, a steaming tea kettle in one and an exquisite porcelain cup in the other hand, and wondering why men, no matter if human or youkai, insisted on being such troublesome patients. Sighting, she followed the taiyoukai’s distinct youki through the open screen outside where she found the lord himself. He was dressed in a light, white yukata that exposed a rather big part of his pale, perfectly toned chest. Though he did not wear his usual impressive attire, he still managed to look regal and powerful. That, however, deterred Kagome as little as the cold stare from his clear, golden eyes. Without hesitating, she walked over to where he was leaning on a tree trunk, poured some of the tea and held it out for him while he followed her every movement with his stare. “Drink that, please. It’s a special tea that will help you recover.” She watched as Sesshoumaru eyed the cup in her hand and then delicately sniffed at it. He wrinkled his nose ever so slightly. “Are you trying to poison me, miko? I will not drink your concoction.” Kagome groaned in frustration. Sure, the tea didn’t smell great even to her but had he never heard of the saying that the worse it smelled and tasted the better it worked? “Oh sure, I save your live just to poison you, that makes sense. Look, I told you before: I don’t particularly enjoy being here so I will make sure you get well as quickly as possible even if I have to pester you until you drink that tea.” There was no lie in her scent and Sesshoumaru had to grudgingly admit to himself that at this time he had not the energy to remove the miko from his presence or argue with her. With a death glare that hopefully conveyed his feelings about the matter, he took the cup from her and drank its contents. The taste was even worse than the smell. The miko looked pleased. Then, to his utter mortification, she filled another cup and sat down next to him without asking for his permission. “Great. I’ll stay here until you’ve drunk the whole kettle.” Kagome ignored the waves of disapproval that came from the sick taiyoukai. Sure, she was well aware of the fact that this was not Inuyasha but his human-hating elder brother and that she should not push her luck too far but she believed also that he would not kill her simply because she annoyed him after she had saved his life. From her sitting position, she looked around the beautiful garden. “You have a beautiful garden.” Sesshoumaru glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. “It will be days until your mortal stench has faded from it.” “Well excuse me! It’s not my fault you decided to come here and made me follow you.” “Hn.” While the miko bristled, Sesshoumaru took a sip of her disgusting tea. He decided then that if she really had to pester him with her presence, she could as well entertain him by satisfying his curiosity. “Why have you not yet returned to your own time?” The miko looked startled at his question but answered readily. “The well closed. We’re trying to make it work again we’ve had no success so far. I’m making a living as a proper village miko now. It’s not what I had planned for my life but it’s not bad either, I guess.” Sesshoumaru’s expression grew disdainful. “Cease your whining. Only the weak are content with a life that is not of their choosing, miko. If your life does not please you, change it.” “As if it were that easy! You have no idea what my situation is like so keep your arrogant advice to yourself!” They continued exchanging insults, Kagome agitated and heated, Sesshoumaru stoic, sometimes not even bothering with an answer. An hour later, the young miko stormed out of the garden, taking an empty kettle with her. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes. The miko was highly annoying, rude and stubborn but she was not boring and apparently, she knew what she was doing as he felt his body temperature drop. Another day of rest would restore his health. A/N: Coming up: Kagome makes a fatal decision… Thank you for sticking around and reviewing! Hosted by Animexx e.V. 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