Best I Never Had by Aviel

Adjustments

Disclaimer: Though it saddens me to say it, I don’t own anything relating to Takahashi-sensei’s Inuyasha. However, the plot and/or ideas of this drabble series do belong to me, and a nod of recognition goes to the creator of this challenge.

A/N: None. :)

Chapter 8: Adjustments

That night was like all the others.

His…ward–as he felt it was acceptable to call her as such–lay on her side, the fabric of her orange, checkered kimono clenched tightly in her hand. Her head rested upon the crook of her elbow, while the rest of her body remained curled up into a tiny ball. If not for the whimpering sounds coming from her lips, he would have thought she was merely reacting to the chill of the evening breeze.

It seemed that her anxiety and trauma over her death would continue to plague her unless he did something about it. And this, he was determined to see through, for it simply would not do to have mindless beasts attack their camp just because they had heard her soft cries.

So, leaving his resting place beside the trunk of a large oak tree, Sesshoumaru drifted over to the girl’s side. As he lowered himself onto one knee, he stared down at her trembling form with cool eyes and reached toward her. Sharp claws skimmed across her cheek before settling on the crown of her head.

The daiyoukai did not know what compelled him to physically lend her comfort, but he nevertheless felt pleased when the child stilled and relaxed her coiled limbs. He drew back his hand only when he was sure her breathing had slowed to a normal rate, steady and strong. The crackling fire beside them revealed her peaceful face, reminding him of the time she had smiled happily at him for no reason.

Were all human females so strange?

It was apparent to him then that the ones he was destined to encounter would somehow challenge his expectations and turn his manner of thinking on its head. While his general opinion of their race remained more or less the same, he couldn’t deny that their overall roles in his life would bring about issues he would rather not deal with.

And yet, as he calmly gazed upon the young female, he was certain of one thing:

As she was able to carve out a little piece of his dark heart, he, ironically, also possessed the ability to chase away her demons. He might have tolerated her presence for now, but he would fight tooth and nail to retain control over his life.

“Fate” was a term coined by hopeless fools.

He was not one of them.

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Original Posting Date: October 6, 2013

Prompt: For Stella’s “Latin” Challenge, Caelo – to engrave or chase; to carve in bas-belief

Words: 400