Chapter 27 | Logical

- KYOKO POV -

Starring him down, I waited for him to answer me.

"Yes."His voice came out of the silence. Biting my lip, I turned towards Sesshomaru, holding my arms in a hug, tilting my head down. I knew he was going to say that. He wasn't staying around merely for the Muranaga. Hah ... when I asked him who he was looking for, he brushed me off saying it didn't concern me ... well I guess he was wrong ... what a stubborn demon ...

Sighing, I spoke, " When ... Tatsumori came here ... he was seeking the sword. I was foolish and surrendered my heart to him. He became corrupted by the Muranaga. I failed to kill him. He is currently sealed ... in a Pentagram Talisman." I said sinking my head down even more. Saying that out loud, only makes me regret my foolishness more...

Coming towards me, my head shot up meeting his gaze. The night that barley produced enough light to illuminate the scenery around us, didn't stop his piercing eyes from meeting mine.

" Take down the barrier, Priestess."

Sighing, I brushed my hair back. Loose stands falling over my shoulders. " You know I can't -"Suddenly I found myself unable to keep my balance and stand; my vision becoming blurry. Falling forward, I expected to hit the ground ... but I didn't. Opening my eyes that had been squeezed shut, I felt arms supporting me up, my knees barley above the ground.

He caught me?

Hazily, I tried to readjust myself up, but instead, he lifted me up gently.

One moment he's my enemy the next he's ... considerate ...

" Sess...homaru - "

"You!!! How dare you lean on Lord Sesshomaru like that!! Step away Mortal!!"

Furrowing my eyebrows from the staggering headache and the shrieking voice, I realized I had forgot Jaken was here.

"Could you be quiet ... your really loud ..." I said finally balancing myself.

"How dare you speak to me that way priestess!"

"Jaken." Sesshomaru said, his body now completely away from me. Starring me down, I could sense he was awaiting an answer.

Focusing back to what we were discussing, I contemplated scenarios in my mind.

The Muranaga has already become beyond my capabilities to keep under control ...

It won't hold with just mere seals anymore ...

" I'll ... take it ... down ..."

- THIRD PERSON POV -

The priestess face hardened as she spoke the question. Her eyes losing the small light it held every so often.

Holding herself in a hug she spoke aloud about the whereabouts of Tatsumori. She had given up. She was tried and exhausted. Even if she refused to cooperate with Sesshomaru, she knew she couldn't fight him. She wasn't even a worthy foe. Overtime the Muranaga was growing stronger; and with it Kyoko grew weaker, having exerted so much purification energy, that her health started to diminish.

Saying that she would bring down the barrier pained her dreadfully, but she knew it had to be done.

Kyoko questioned herself more. Throughout the small time she had known the silver haired demon, she had questioned her actions. She questioned her being. She felt drawn to him almost. He was free.

Kyoko thought perhaps, she was surrendering because she was no longer a suitable guardian, but in reality; Sesshomaru was the path, to her freedom.

~

Sesshomaru didn't know why he caught her. He didn't even know why he let her get so close.

Sesshomaru had observed her for a time. Wherever he went around the mountain, he found himself searching for her. He couldn't just ignore her like he had done with countless other demons and mortals.

For some reason, her sent was ... pleasant. Many times he would find himself following it without thinking. It didn't make sense to him. How could he, a demon, think about wanting to be around a mortal? A human.

The priestess's he had encountered over the years were strange in many ways, but their was one thing that made her different than all the rest. She was alone. It was clear the villagers near the area hated her, even though she was the one thwarting off the demons that lurked around them.

The Priestess was always alone. Wether fighting off demons or being sick, she still had the responsibility of the guardian to uphold.

Unknowingly, he felt sympathy for her. But ... those thoughts that would come up, would immediately be bottled down ... by his ego.