Chapter 33 | Sympathy

- THIRD PERSON PROV -

~- One Month Ago -

Sesshomaru had done it. He had killed Tatsumori - or what remained of him. Standing up straight over the hollow shell of Tatsumori, Sesshomaru wiped stray blood off his sword. While he did so the priestess walked towards him, questioning his well-being. "Are you okay?"

Turning towards the priestess, Sesshomaru sheathed his sword, staring up and down at her. The Priestess's black hair messily fell down the sides of her face, going over her shoulders. Her face and Hakama were smudged with dirt. And lastly ... her neck still held red traces of Tatsumori's hand.

Sesshomaru didn't know why he walked towards her as quickly as he did, but before he could realize what he was doing - he had caressed the area where she had been strangled - out of concern.

It was once again and amusing sight to witness the Priestess's reactions, but then again, Sesshomaru still felt unpleasant by his human like actions.

Backing away quickly, the priestess, covered her neck, her face turning redder as she continued to advert her gaze. Lowering his hand, Sesshomaru stood still, his thoughts flooding with the question - is she unharmed?

As he contemplated about wether to bring himself to ask, the priestess started to speak, " Sesshomaru, I- "

"Lord Sesshomaru!!"

In the distance, Jaken stumbled in his run towards Sesshomaru and Kyoko - having interrupted their beginning conversation.

"Oh Lord Sesshomaru, I'm so glad your well! I thought you might be dead!!"

Breaking out into a laughter, the priestess covered her mouth and turned away from the two of them, trying not to be rude. Sesshomaru however, did not take notice to this, since he had immediately started to pick up a rock off the ground.

Throwing it at Jaken - Jaken fell over - but once again got back up. " Lord Sesshomaru!!, I humbly suggest we venture off to the west!!Now that you have slain Tatsumori, the Panther Demons no longer have to wait for their Leader!"

Thinking, Sesshomaru's mind clashed with reasoning and emotion. He did not want to leave - not yet. However, the fact still remained that he no longer had a reason to be on the mountain any longer.

Then, the priestess's voice interrupted his thoughts.

" Farewell to you Sesshomaru."

Surprised, Sesshomaru's eyes widened slightly - the realization that the priestess had just excused herself was a shocking feat to witness - but somehow not unexpected. Watching as the priestess walked past him, she kept her head down, not allowing Sesshomaru to see her expression.

"Farewell, Priestess."

As the words left his mouth - Sesshomaru watched as her hair blew slowly through the air - carried by the wind. Part of Sesshomaru didn't think much of her words, but something irritated him inside - the faint feeling of something lost. Keeping her back turned to him, the priestess walked on having stopped for only a moment.

~- Present Time -

The night was quiet, the moonlight casting it's rays onto the ground on top of the priestess, allowing Sesshomaru to see more of the scene before him.

Standing over her body, Sesshomaru observed the priestess's pale state. She had died. Not long ago either.

He had heard that the cowardly panther demons who had run away, found themselves here to take revenge for Tatsumori, after hearing numerous rumors spread about the Priestesses involvement in his death.

Gazing at her, her face held no signs of tears, no signs of sadness. It was blank. The faint color of her face barley there. The priestess's long black hair fell in disarray around her on the grass, one of her arms laying still by her side. Dirt smudged on her face stood out against her skin and the dark red color of her blood had drowned itself over her Hakama.

Furrowing his eyebrows, the smell of her blood stung his nose. The faint traces of panther demons scents on her - were for some reason he could not fathom - making him upset.

Leaning down on his knees, he stroked his fingers against one of her cheeks, the coldness of her skin causing him to stir in agitation.

She had died because Sesshomaru had felt lenient towards the panther demons. He had let some go. Because of his aloof actions she had died.

Not stirring at his touch - the priestess's eyes stayed closed, her body still laying limp on the grass. She had indeed left this world, alone.

Contemplating for only a moment, Sesshomaru now knew why he felt this way - partly.

He had indeed taken a liking to her. She had not done much to have it, however neither did the human girl he had watched over for a time.

Sesshomaru was stubborn on the topic of humans - but this priestess held his attention even after they had parted, even when she was already dead.

Over that month away from the mountain, not seeing the priestess ... Sesshomaru found himself curious about her. He often wondered about her well-being.

She was unlike the other humans. She had always been poised when talking to him. She wasn't scared.

This wasn't merely a likeness like the one he had with the human child ... her and the priestess were different in so many ways ... their lives, their personalities and their actions and mannerisms ...

Unlike the human girl, the priestess had never called him lord. From the beginning she had decided they were equals and not one of them were higher in ego or strength ... These reasons were indeed foolish and did not make reason for why he felt attracted to her... However ... as Sesshomaru had previously stated before ... he had found her alluring.

Standing up straight Sesshomaru reached for one of the swords held at his side, the Tenseiga, gripping the handle. Unsheathing it's he held it out with one hand in front of him. Lowering his eyes, he concentrated until he was able to see the small demons of the underworld, surrounding the priestess's body.

Slashing his sword through the air, in reality he cut the demons down.

Sheathing the Tenseiga he then leaned back down on his knees, keeling down on the grass. Lifting the priestess up from her back, he gently held the back of her head with his hand, holding her up.

Taking his other hand, he brushed the side of her cheek again, feeling the warmth of her body slowly returning. The once bleeding wound she harbored ceased itself, the wound healing.

As he stared at her, strands of his silver hair fell down the sides of his face.

Sesshomaru wanted to observe her longer. He wanted to see her more. She could not die like this. He wouldn't allow that. This was just something he owed her. Those were his reasons. That's why ... he brought her back ...

As he waited for her eyes to open, he then spoke.

"Kyoko."

__________Authors Note - Sesshomaru finally said her name. :>I'm really sorry it took me so long to update this chapter - I usually try to update a new chapter within a week - I had major writers block and kept rewriting this chapter. :(Feel free to tell me what you think. :)