Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this short scene... especially for the one who's mostly unimpressed with his acquisition. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Follow the Leader
Kagome did her best to match Sesshoumaru's pace, but the endless forest was an inhospitable place. Overhanging branches offered little shelter from the rain, brambles snagged her sweater, and half-hidden roots bruised her bare feet. He paused frequently to allow her to catch up, but she was terrified that he might weary of waiting and leave her behind. Fear seeped through numb limbs, lending them the strength to continue.
"Humans are slow," he announced after hours of torturous scrambling.
"Youkai are quick to pass judgment," she countered grumpily.
"Why do you say this?"
"How many humans do you know?" she inquired. He refused to answer, and she said, "My abilities are not representative of the entire human race."
Sesshoumaru peered at her thoughtfully. "You are slow," he corrected.
"You are correct," Kagome sighed, and he darted ahead.
Later, while hastily struggling up a rocky outcropping, she badly scraped her knee; blood trickled down her right shin, but she ignored the additional discomfort. However, Sesshoumaru immediately returned to her side, nose twitching. "You smell bad."
"You lack tact." Wide, golden eyes blinked up at her, and she regretted her bluntness. Wonderful. Thanks to me, Sesshoumaru-sama now believes humans to be weak... and rude. She eased her aching body down to the damp ground, glad to steal a few moments' rest.
"Your scent has changed. It is... less pleasant."
Concern lurked in his imperfectly guarded expression, and she gave him a wan smile. "I am a little tired."
"You are bleeding," he noted, crouching down to inspect her abrasions more closely. "Why do they not heal?"
"Humans heal more slowly than youkai."
"All humans?"
"Yes... there are some things that apply to all of us."
"Like what?"
"We all need shelter, warmth, food, water..." After some thought, she added, "Baths, sleep, and friends."
"Oh." A cautious clawtip tickled along the edge of her scrape and came away tipped with blood. He sniffed it curiously, then licked it clean. "When?"
"Soon," Kagome begged wearily.
She stood to indicate she was ready to move on, but instead of leaping ahead as before, Sesshoumaru wrapped his fingers around her wrist, mindful of his claws. "This way," he announced, insistently tugging her in a slightly different direction.
Although she was reluctant to heap too many expectations on a mere child, there was no getting around the reality of her situation. My life is in his hands.
End Note: This drabble was written for the Live Journal community dokuga(underscore)contest and their Weekly Perfection prompt for Week #51--Wrist. 400 words. Originally posted on September 7, 2009.