Chapter 34 | Request

- KYOKO POV -

Struggling, a shivering sensation crawled over my body, the urge to move taking over my senses. Someone had called my name ... Moving to open my eyes, I squinted at first, blinking rapidly. Focusing, I saw familiar eyes. The pools of golden yellow like the sun held up in the sky; His long silver hair and purple crescent moon marking on his forehead. It was Sesshomaru. But ... why is ... he here?

Trying to think back, I was slowly lifted up, a hand pushing my back up slowly. Hunching over some, I touched my forehead, thinking back to how I had gotten here. Why can't I ... recall ...

Whipping my head to the side towards Sesshomaru, I held my eyes wide. " What ... Happened?

Staring at me, he spoke - surprisingly. " Can you stand?"

" ...Yes"

Taking my hand, Sesshomaru helped me up. With his help, I steadied myself. Then as I did, all the memories I had tried to remember came back all at once. Looking up at Sesshomaru, I stayed in shock. " Didn't ... I die? How ... am I here?"

Letting go of my hand, Sesshomaru positioned his gaze on me. " I brought you back."

With my mouth somewhat agape, I covered it with my hand. Sesshomaru brought me ... back to life? He can do that? Did he ... come here to help me then?

Scrunching my eyebrows, I titled my head down - before breaking out into a laugh. Trying to calm down my hysterics, I couldn't. Staring at me, Sesshomaru looked confused.

Stopping my laugh, I calmed down, slightly still hysteric and in shock. " F - Forgive, please excuse my rudeness Sesshomaru ... but - I - I would've never thought that a demon of all beings would save my life. Just thinking about it - it sounds absurd." I said brushing one of my hands through my hair - moving it back.

Staying silent, I ceased my laughing completely - slightly frowning from utter confusion and suprise. I then spoke, progressing my gratitude."Though you may not want it ... you have my sincerest thanks."

- THIRD PERSON POV -

She had laughed. How strange it was that, that was her reaction. It had suprised even Sesshomaru. Yes, he had once used the Tenseiga to bring back Jaken and Rin, but upon their awakening neither of them broke out into a laugh.

Looking down at her Hakama, Kyoko touched the place where her wound used to be. Meeting Sesshomaru's eyes, Kyoko then sighed aloud. " Have ... you fared well?"

Staring at her, Sesshomaru spoke - ignoring her question. " Why didn't you leave?"

Taken by surprise, Kyoko sank back grabbing and holding the side of her arm. " I had things to take care of here ... I - I couldn't leave immediately." She said shyly. "I have heard of a nice village in the east ... I was actually planning on journeying there... in time." She said giving Sesshomaru a weak smile adverting her eyes.

Brushing strands of her hair back, Sesshomaru noticed he had made her uncomfortable. He had not intended to make her feel that way.

"Don't do that." Kyoko's voice interrupted. Lifting up her hand she pointed to her where her eyebrows were." That thing you do with your eyebrows, I can see that is still a bad habit of yours." She said trying to lighten up the tension with a teasing remark.

With no answer, Sesshomaru was offended and would not speak to her out of pure hesitation of upsetting her again - letting the silence of the night and distant crickets fill the air.

Frowning, Kyoko held her hands behind her back. The fact that she had died still baffled her mind, however the only thing that consumed her thoughts were about what she was going to say to Sesshomaru. He had saved her. He came back for her. She had indeed thought about him returning here - but never for her.

"Do you want to leave?" Sesshomaru said his voice snapping Kyoko out of her thoughts.

Looking at him in the eyes she knitted her brow. " Why do you want to know?"

Now glaring, Sesshomaru himself knew and denied the reasoning why he had asked her. - he had wanted to know if she would remain okay with him gone.

Reading his face, Kyoko contemplated for a moment seeing how he was asking genuinely - then thought of an idea. " If I tell you ... you will have to owe me something in return."

Raising his brow, Sesshomaru held a blank face replying. " What might that be?"

Slightly smiling Kyoko shook her head side to side. " I have to answer your question first before I tell you."

With a stern look, Sesshomaru stayed silent somewhat caught off guard- but still awaiting for her to speak.

"Yes, I do want to leave ... well - now I have to leave." Kyoko said looking a bit disappointed. " The panther demons know my location, so assuming there are more - and seeing how I no longer have to protection of the barrier - ,of course it would be wise of me to leave here so they do not find me again."

Kyoko knew the risk of staying. She knew that there might be more panther demons coming to her to enact their revenge. Either way if she stayed or left - she couldn't take the chance.

"So ... now that I have answered you - I have a request."

Pushing her second thoughts and doubts aside, Kyoko spoke her request. " I ask that you escort me to a village in the east. It has been quite some time since I've ventured out past this villages area - so I may become a victim to a demon if I were to journey alone."

Looking down at her, Kyoko had surprised Sesshomaru once again. He had no problem with journeying with her - yet the fact that she had demanded he owed her something was baffling. It was truly an interesting behavior to witness.

Turning away, Sesshomaru had caught a faint sent of a panther demon still lingering near. He then decided he would take care of it - and wait for her.

"Do as you wish."

- KYOKO POV -

Watching Sesshomaru take off, I was left by myself. Still as ill - mannered and silent as ever I see ...

Bringing one of my hands up to my chest I clenched it in a fist, trying to feel my chest rising up and down. I was alive. Just a few moments ago I remember ... dying. At that moment - I realized how I felt about ... him.

Moving my hands up to my face I covered it. Hahhhh ... why did I say that to him ... I do really need someone to travel with ... but I can't believe I was so blunt ...

Brining one of my hands to my side - with the other I rubbed my temple. Tonight ... was more eventful then I thought it was going to be ...

~

The morning was bright - the sun casting its rays down like it usually done in the summer.

Grabbing my quiver and bow, I rested it on my shoulder. Grabbing the edge of my Hakama sleeve I fixed it down nicely along my wrist. It was nice to not be wearing my own blood. With my other hand I picked up the small brown bag I had packed with a few of my essential belongings - holding it by the thin rope strings that gathered it. Last night ... I had died and was brought back to life. Last night ... I requested that a demon escort me to a village that is about a months journey from here ...

At this point ... I'm definitely going to speed up my life span by doing stupid things.

Walking out of the shrine, I peered back at it. For some reason ... I'm going to miss it.

~

Walking a ways through the woods I tried to sense for demonic auras but as I suspected - I only found one. Wait ... Sesshomaru's in ... that direction?

Stepping forward, I followed along a dirt pathway to my left. Sesshomaru was near Tatsumori's grave. The grave the I had made. Coming to the clearing were I had laid Tatsumori to rest, the grass and trees moved along with the wind - the brightness of the green leaves that hung themselves on their trees were a beautiful sight to see today. Extending one of my hands out I held it out in front of me shielding the sun rays.

In front of me Sesshomaru stood with his back turned to me, barley a few steps close to Tatsumori's grave.

"Hi." I said aloud.

Turning to me, Sesshomaru stared blankly. Gesturing that I was ready to leave, I readjusted my quiver on my shoulder. Taking once last glance down at Tatsumori's grave, Sesshomaru walked toward and past me.

Following him from behind I didn't look back. I was no longer tied to this place, this mountain. I had no need to linger around the past anymore ... I was ready to leave.

__________Authors Note - ... Feel free to tell me what you think :> - I honestly think this chapter has a really awkward vibe, but that's what I was going for. :>