Chapter 23 | Unusual

- KYOKO POV -

With my hands still over his eyes, I kept them there, unsure of what to do or how to get out of Sesshomaru's hold.

Repeating myself, I looked straight at him, becoming nervous and uneasy by the seconds that passed. " Pu - Put me down!"

Awaiting for an answer and for him to move - he did neither. Slowly taking my hands off of his eyes, the pools of golden that I had only seen from a distance looked at me and showed themselves to be beautiful like a blazing fire.

Feeling my cheeks start to blaze and turn hot, I quickly placed my hands over my face, bringing my head down to avoid even looking at him.

"Sesshomaru. Please put me down." I asked warily.

Waiting, in an instant, the arms that held me disappeared causing me to drop. Landing hard on the ground, I winced and immediately looked up - glaring at Sesshomaru. You didn't have to drop me ...

Looking over next to me, I reached out grabbing my bow and attempted to stand up. But as I did, a hand had placed itself in my view, extending out as if to help me.

Sesshomaru?

Staring at his gesture, I hesitantly reached out - grabbing his hand; pulling myself up.

What happened when he was away? Why is he being so ... weird? ...

Stuck in my thoughts, the rain then turned harsher and began to come down on the two of us faster. Striding towards the trees, I took shelter under them hastily, watching as Sesshomaru followed behind me.

Placing my bow down leaning it against a tree, I pulled my hair over my shoulder, wringing out the water that had made it wet. As I did so, I glanced to my side to look at Sesshomaru, who stared off to whatever view he was seeing in front of him.

"So ... How have you fared?" I asked.

"It does not concern you Priestess." Sesshomaru said almost immediately; sounding annoyed by the prying question.

Surprised that he had answered me, I looked in front of me, trying to figure out what he was looking at. However, as I had done so, Sesshomaru had moved, walking away from me.

Where is he going?

Picking up my bow I had placed next to a tree, I caught up with him, holding my arm over my head as I did - as if that would shield the rain from falling down over me more.

Next to him finally; I held my bow at my side, my other hand placing strands of my hair behind my ear. " Jaken did not accompany you this time?" I asked.

Glancing down at me, Sesshomaru's eyebrows and mouth slanted some. Oh. So no.

Lifting up a few of my fingers to cover my mouth, there on my face - a small smirk had formed. How strange ... why did I find his reaction ... slightly amusing?

Continuing my walk next to him, I knew if I asked him about anything else, he would not answer. Still ... I wish he would ... but ... this is fine too I suppose.

- THIRD PERSON POV -

As the two continued their walk, unknown to her - Sesshomaru was actually walking Kyoko back to the shrine, making the short journey halfway with her - before eventually leaving.

But when the two had walked together, Kyoko herself had forgotten all her troubles. She had forgotten about all the things that had happened to her before he came back. It was all forgotten. Yet somehow - an ominous feeling found it's way into Kyokos thoughts; the odd sensation ... that something bad was about to happen ...

__________Authors Note - Hi.