See the original Prompt and First Chapter here: http://www.dokuga.com/fanfiction/story/9513/69
SessKag Week, Day One: Inevitable, Mesmerize, Memory
---“That,” he drawled coldly, “is what this Sesshoumaru would like to know."
Mesmerized and dumbstruck she stared at the being before her. Did... did it just talk in the third person? Well, at least that struck out the need for introductions; on its part at least.
She was not aware of the pressing issue of the fact that she was bleeding rather profusely. Two things were inevitable at this point: getting somewhere to get patched up, or passing out from blood loss.
Eyes of gold turned to her again, the jewel being pocketed away in what seemed like endless layers of silk and she was suddenly hoisted over his shoulder, like a sack of rice.
"Hey! Put me down! I can walk!"
"This is faster," he drawled again.
He had a point, she didn't know whether it was the blood loss or the speed they were moving at, but everything seemed to be blurred around her, but looking down at his feet, it was like they were barely moving at all.
Soon, though, she was finally set back on her feet and his arm remained on her waist. Good thing, because from being slung over his shoulder to the upright position, her head spun from the loss of blood and the sudden change of orientation. She stumbled slightly and the hand at her hip tightened instinctively.
She closed her eyes, attempting to steady herself. When she finally reopened them, she took in her surroundings. A village.
"Can you make it?"
He seemed hesitant about entering the village, she rose a brow, her mouth opening in question.
"It is a human village, under my own watch, but they become anxious if I enter."
She nodded softly, making sure not to make too much movement, in fear she would make herself dizzy again. She turned to the village again, began to make her way towards it.
---
She noticed immediately the number of stares she received, as she attempted to sort out what would be the headman's house or at least a healer. It was tough work, given that all the huts looked basically the same.
Luckily for her, someone was coming towards her, an older woman with her hair pulled back in the traditional miko style, clothed in the garb and an eyepatch over one eye.
"Who are ye?" the elder miko asked, concerned eyes moving towards the wound on her side and noting the paling pallor of her skin. "How did you come to this village in such a state?"
"Uhh..." Kagome began, squirming under the gaze of the elder woman. Probably wouldn't do to lie. "I was brought here, by a man with white hair. I assume he thinks you can help. I was attacked by a centipede monster, near the well."
"Centipede...? Well...?" The woman's brows furrowed. "What were ye doing in InuYasha's forest?"
Kagome was beginning to feel faint. "Ah, I was lost. The centipede monster chased me in there..."
The woman seemed to look from where Kagome had come from, deep concern marring her features. "What of InuYasha?"
"Who?" Kagome blinked. "The only person I've been in contact with other than yourself if the one who saved me with a green whip and brought me here."
This seemed to relax the woman as her concern finally turned towards her injuries. "Well, at least ye are still standing. Come, I shall get that taken care of."
The woman led Kagome to a small hut, which was warm from the use of a fire which looked to be heating some sort of stew. Kagome's stomach growled, just in time. Kagome blushed.
The woman chuckled softly, "let's patch ye up and then ye can eat."
The woman made quick work of the wound and between the salve and the tea given to her, Kagome was quick to feel much better. She was then handed a bowl of warm stew, which helped that feeling along. She ate silently, trying to comprehend all that happened to her within the last few hours. What a fifteenth birthday.
"Ye gave the townsfolk quite a shock, appearing. It is remarkable, ye have an uncanny resemblance to the former priestess of this village. My sister, Kikyo."
Kagome blinked and the old woman continued, lost in the memory. "It has been fifty years since she died. So it is of an odd coincidence that ye appeared, looking like her, today. But I see that ye are just a lost traveller. Where are ye from?"
"Uhm... this... isn't Tokyo?"
The old woman blinked, "never heard of it. Is that ye prefecture?"
"Uhm... yeah... I wouldn't mind getting home, now..."
How am I going to get back? Kagome thought to herself in a panic. If this isn't Tokyo... where am I then?
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch ye name," the old woman pulled her from her thoughts again.
"Oh, it's Kagome. " Kagome sighed softly. "Sorry, for my rudeness and thank you for your hospitality..."
"Kaede, child. My name is Kaede."
Kagome smiled, the woman reminded her of a grandmother. "Thank you Kaede, I just seem to be a bit more lost than I thought. My... village is also near the well, but it seems I've strayed very far."
Very far. Like, through time far! She mused, taking in her surroundings again. The well-house had not been there when she exited the well, that being the first clue to her not being at home. But how far back had she come exactly? Disgusting centipede monster was also another clue. Had that been a demon? And it was wanting the Shikon no Tama?
She figured the Tama was just an old wives tale that mother told their children so they would behave. But now.. it seemed like ages since she had been in her house, her grandfather had given her that bauble that looked exactly like the thing that Sesshomaru had yanked out of her.
At least it wasn't in her anymore, so nothing would be coming after her again... right?
Wrong.
There was a sudden squawking of crows and a great crash outside.