Paper Flowers by Iridescent

Oragami

Kagome fumbled with the piece of paper she tried so determindly to make into a crane. She sighed. It was just no use. She would never master the art of oragami. She stuffed the sheet of paper in her pocket absentmindly. Lately, Kagome had been trying to find a hobby. However, she couldn't seem to find one. Kagome had already given up on Inuyasha. She knew his heart would always belong to Kikyou. Which, she decided, was okay with her, just so long as he was happy. Inuyasha had been going to see Kikyou more frequently now, and she just let him go. It was tough, but Kagome was strong, she would be okay. At least she hoped so, anyway. Kagome shook her head and sighed again. Ah, well. That was life. Kagome took out the crumpled peice of paper again, and began trying to make it into a crane. Kagome had been walking for almost an hour now. She wondered briefly if anyone was getting worried. Maybe she should turn back... Then, Kagome felt the all too familiar tingling sensation, that could mean only one thing: A youkai was nearby. A powerful, youkai, not to mention. She began panicking. She had not meant to walk so deep into the forest. What could she do? She had no protection whatsoever....... That's when it happened. Kagome heard a deep, growling behind her. Before she could react, she was slammed up against the nearest tree. She screamed, but the scream was instantly cut off when the youkai grabbed her throat. She could feel the youkai's hot, sour breath on her throat. Then, she could feel no more, for the giant youkai, had broken her neck. She heard the sound of her neck breaking, then, everything faded black. Sesshoumaru had heard the sky-shattering scream, and, grudgingly, he went to find the source of it. He came upon a gruesome sight. A huge youkai, lay over a teenage girl, devouring her blood. What he saw disgusted him, so he decide to put an end to it. He defeated the youkai quickly, and stopped to look over the human. He lingered over her broken body, which was now covered in blood. He could see by the angle her neck was in, that it was broken. He started to turn away, when he recognized something. The human girl that lay before him, was his baka half-brother's wench. Soon, a plan began formulating in his mind. If he could bring the girl back to life, then he could use her for many things. He knew she was a miko, so she might be able to restore his arm. She also was his key to getting the Tetsusaiga. But, then again, she could cause a problem. After all, she had a defiant spirit that would be hard to break. Should he leave her here, or bring her back to life? Making up his mind, he drew the Tenseiga from his belt. He placed the healing sword over her body, and waited. Was this going to work? Unexpectedly, the Tenseiga began pulsing. He could now see the impish creatures from the underworld, trying to take her soul. Smoothly and swifly, he struck the creatures with the sword. Instantly, the girl began sputtering and coughing. She sucked in oxygen greedily, while gasping. "W-what happened?" "You were attacked and killed by a youkai," came the cool reply. Kagome stared at the ground in shock. She had been merely talking to herself, she didn't expect someone else to answer her. Slowly, Kagome raised her head and looked up. There, towering over her small frame, was the infamous Sesshoumaru. Immediatly, a siren went off in Kagome's mind. She didn't know what to do, or what to say for that matter, so she just bowed and said respectfully, "Lord Sesshoumaru." This girl surprised Sesshoumaru. He figured she would be a disrespectful, rude human. "It's good that you know your place, wench," Sesshoumaru replied. Kagome stared at him nervously. 'Why did he save me?' she wondered. "Umm, Lord Sesshoumaru, why did you save me?" she asked timidly. "You have no business asking this Sesshoumaru questions, wench," he rumbled. "Well excuse me!" she yelled, then sqeaked and covered her mouth. Instantaniously, he slammed Kagome against a nearby tree. "Just who do you think you are talking to, wench?" he growled. "Forgive me, " she croaked. He was holding her by her neck, which was still sore. He let go of her, and turned around. "You will follow me, " he told her, nonchalantly. Kagome placed her hands on her hips. "Just what makes you think that?" she yelled angrily. "You will do whatever I say," he said, turning around. Kagome gulped and decided maybe it was best if she listened to him. once he was sure she would follow, he turned around and began walking. Kagome sighed, and guessed that he wanted her to follow him. Soon, it began to get dark, and Sesshoumaru still had not said a word about stopping, or even resting for that matter. As a matter of fact, he hadn't said anything at all. Long after they had began walking, Kagome dedced that he wasn't going to talk to her. So she took out the old peice of paper and once again began trying to make it into a crane. After what seemed like hours, Sesshoumaru finally stopped. "I know humans require rest, " was all he said before stopping and sitting against a tree. Kagome decided to follow suit. She plopped down against another tree, still messing with that sheet of paper. Sesshoumaru watched, interested in the way she folded the paper. Pretty soon, Kagome gave up once more on making a crane. She stared up at the blood-red sky, wondering if Inuyasha was at all worried about her. She looked up at Sesshoumaru, who had his eyes closed. She fidgeted nervously, wondering what she was supposed to do now. 'Doesn't look like I'm gonna be getting out of here any time soon, ' she thought. 'Well, I might as well try to get some sleep. I'll figure out how to get away from here in the morning.' Kagome layed down on the forest floor, and began tossing and turning. She was very uncomfortable. She opened her eyes, concluding that she wouldn't be able to sleep. She took out the paper again, and began messing with it. She looked at her funny creation, which looked nothing like a crane. Sesshoumaru had been watching her, and finally, his curiousity got the better of him. "Human, what are you doing?" Kagome looked up at him, surprised. "I'm trying to make a crane, but I can't get it right, " she said amusedly. Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrow. "Why would you do something foolish like that?" Kagome sighed, for the tenth time that day. "Since Inuyasha picked Kikyou, I've been trying to find something to do to take my mind off of it." Now it was Sesshoumaru's turn to be surprised. His hanyou brother had picked a dead miko over a living, breathing, one' 'How foolish, ' he thought. Kagome appeared to be in deep thought for a moment, then, unexpectingly, she handed over her creation to Sesshoumaru. He looked at her questiongly, and she just said, "Here. A token of my appreciation for saving my life." She gave him her tiny creation, then she laid back down. Sesshoumaru stared at they paper in his hand. It had been folded in a way in which it reminded him of those flowers Rin was so fond of. He glanced at the girl trying to sleep. He couldn't help but wonder why she would thank him. He was her enemy. He also wondered why his brother would pick the dead miko over this one. He shook all these thoughts away. He once more glanced at the paper flower in his hand. Maybe, just maybe, he would keep this girl for himself. Maybe, just maybe, he would take care of her, and protect her, just like he did Rin. Maybe, just maybe. But for now, he would keep he token of appreciation. And he would learn more about her, before he returned her, if he even did. Apparently, there was something about him that flowers were attracted to.