Allegiance | 7: Reassurance

[luxken27]

MASTER SERIES INDEX IS HERE.
Click here to read original entry (300 words)

Title: Reassurance - Expanded
Universe: Canon
Rating: T
Warnings: A touch of angst
Word Count: 494
Summary: Even taiyoukai need to be reassured sometimes.

Author's Note: Set between 'Vengeance' and 'Alliance'. This was a surprise, actually; I never expected to fill in this particular gap, but I suppose muses work in mysterious ways :) I was actually a bit disappointed that the original didn't place in the contest.


Disclaimer: The Inuyasha concept, story, and characters are copyright Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Media.

~*~
“My lord?”

Sesshoumaru ignored the incredulous remark, closing the door behind himself. The infirmary was not a place he visited often, or even occasionally; no doubt such was the reason for the guard’s confused address.

That, and the fact that he was supposed to be halfway across the eastern mountains by now, seeking out his compensation for having to defend his home against invaders.

But he couldn’t help it. He had to know. His mind would not rest until he confirmed it with his own eyes.

His expression was impassive as he walked down the length of the dark, narrow room. His progress was slow and measured as his eyes swept over the rows of ill and injured. Finally, he spotted his object of interest: she was at the very end of the corridor, shunted off to the side under the drafty window, her pallet flush against the cold stone wall. This will not do, he thought, his features sinking into a scowl.

His approach was quiet – not that it truly mattered. She lay perfectly still on the makeshift bed, her body battered and bruised, her eyes closed, her hair matted against her forehead. Her chest rose and fell in a slightly irregular rhythm, her breath heavy as it eased past her slightly-opened lips. So weakened was she from the battle that her spiritual powers lay totally dormant.

A surge of intensity rushed over him as he drew closer, looking down at her. This feeling, suffocating though it seemed, was a mere echo of the primal urgency that had flooded through him the moment she was struck down in battle. And yet, even now, with the knowledge she was safe and alive, his heartbeat still accelerated, his youki still flared.

He sank down beside her, pinning his golden gaze on her face, studying her. He didn’t understand why he felt this way. What was it about her that had provoked these primitive instincts – to protect, to avenge? She was a human, after all – and, perhaps more distastefully, had been his brother’s mate.

Nonetheless, he felt drawn to her, the sadness that lingered in her soul reflecting his own sense of regret.

His hand brushed across hers.

“My lord,” came a soft voice.

Sesshoumaru glanced down, recognizing the footwear of the court physician. He rose swiftly, silently, letting go of Kagome’s hand. He was keenly aware that he was being watched – with much interest – by the others in the room.

He didn’t care. His eyes never left her face.

“She is resilient, my lord,” the physician noted shrewdly, casting a knowing glance at the stoic taiyoukai. “She will be fine.”

Sesshoumaru turned away, a shadow of relief touching his features. “Move her away from here,” he commanded quietly, gesturing at the window. “She deserves more than a mere modicum of your attention.”

Before the physician could respond, Sesshoumaru was gone, sweeping out of the dark and dreary room just as quietly as he had arrived.