Chapter 4: Closer and Closer  

 

        “Desine! (Stop!) Desine!” The demon’s pointed blue snout stopped just short of your hand. “Ea est cum meā! (She is with me!)” The demon’s red eyes narrowed slightly, but nonetheless it halted. Slowly, it closed its mouth and stood straight up, and a divine feminine voice spoke.        

        “Stultam feminam (Foolish woman). Tu debes esse plus responsabilis! (You ought to be more responsible!) Paene interfeci eam. (I almost killed her).” You laughed sheepishly.       

        “Me paenitet (I am sorry). Oblivisci te habere hīc. (I forgot that you lived here.)” The demon huffed.         

        “Wow.” You turned around to see Rin gawking at the demon with a look of pure awe in her eyes. “She’s so pretty.” You smiled, then smirked back at the demon, who merely huffed again. You turned back to Rin, took her hand, and slowly led her towards the demon, the entire time not showing any sign of fear. I guess traveling with three demons means she’s gotten used to other demons too… when they’re not trying to kill her at least.    

        “Rin, this is Kaekilla. She’s a water demon. Kaekilla, this is Rin, a new traveling companion of mine.” Kaekilla locked her eyes with the enlarged brown ones of Rin. She flicked her dark blue serpent-like tongue out and huffed slightly.        

        “Est voluptatem congregare te.”        

        “She says nice to meet you.”          

        Just then, Kaekilla swiftly raised her head to something behind Rin, and as the little girl turned around, she smiled from ear to ear.         

        “Lord Sesshomaru!” Said demon looked upon Kaekilla with a subtly questioning look in his yellow orbs as Rin sprinted from the river bank all the way to Sesshomaru and jumped on his pant legs. He paid no mind to her, instead focusing on Kaekilla, while Jaken kept trying to pry Rin off of Sesshomaru.         

        “Qui estne illem daemonium, (Y/N)? (Who is that demon, (Y/N)?) Esne secunta eum circum sicut canem? (Are you following him around like a dog?) Non scivi esse delicium. (I did not know that you were a pet.) ”        

        “Hey! Quid Infernale!? (What the hell!?)” The water demon chuckled.         

        “What are you two saying?” Jaken screeched, momentarily stopping his attempts at trying to sepearate Rin from his master, and raising his staff in anger.  Here we go. “Don’t you know you shouldn’t speak in secretive gibberish in front of Lord Sesshomaru!?” You rolled your eyes.         

        “She doesn’t speak our language, imp. She only speaks Latin.” Jaken crossed his arms, and ‘humphed’ in irritation.         

        “And where did you learn to speak such a language.” You shrugged your shoulders.   

        “I don’t know. I kinda just picked it up.”        

        “Who is she.” Sesshomaru suddenly questioned, or rather demanded an answer.        

        “She is the water demon of this river.”         

        “A water dragon demon.” You turned to look at Kaekilla, puzzled by his statement.     

        “Yeah, I guess she is. What’s so important about that though?” But you got no answer in response, from either the dog or water demon. They stared at each other as if having their own silent conversation, but what they were thinking, you had no idea. After a few minutes of this, Kaekilla broke the eye contact and looked down at you.        

        “Amica tua sinit bibere aquam. (Your friend is allowed to drink the water)” You nodded.         

        “Hey Rin.” At the sound of her name, she turned her attention on you instead of Sesshomaru’s pant leg, where she was still clinging to. “She says you can drink the water if you want.” Her smile grew tenfold, and she bolted back to the water bank. Sesshomaru turned on his heel to leave, but not before giving Kaekilla one last look that you couldn’t quite decipher. He then disappeared through the brush, followed by a still fuming Jaken as Rin continued to drink. Kaekilla huffed, drawing your attention to her.        

         “Non vere oblinda est meam tam facile. (You really shouldn’t forget me so easily.)”         

        “Whatever you say.” Your smile soon turned into a frown. “Quid eratne omnem illum de? (What was all that about?)”         

        “Erat nihil. (It was nothing)”        

        “Vere? (Really?)” Kaekilla’s red eyes remained locked on yours, telling you that she would not answer. The only thing that could be heard was Rin happily splashing the water in the background. You wouldn’t try to force the answers from your demon friend, you knew it would get you nowhere.         

        The orange and pink glow in the sky alerted you to the sunset over the horizon, and you decided it was time to take Rin back to the campsite so that you all could rest. “Come on Rin, it’s getting dark out. We should head back to Sesshomaru, and I’m sure Ah-Un misses you too.” She nodded her head and stepped out of the water, waving at Kaekilla as she did so.        

        “Goodbye miss water demon!”        

        “Vale! (Goodbye!)” You called over your shoulder as you led Rin to the bushes. Kaekilla bowed her head.

        “Vale nam nunc. (Goodbye for now.)” Her body sank back into the river, disappearing with the water, as you and Rin entered the forest.         

        By the time you reached the campsite, the sky was almost black, with only a tiny bit of sunset colors staining the horizon. Rin immediately ran to Ah-Un, who still sat tethered to the tree you tied him to earlier. Sesshomaru was standing at the top of the hill you had been at with Jaken was sitting near him. You decided to collect some wood to start a fire, which didn’t take long, as there were plenty of scattered branches around the field. You dumped them all in a pile, very quickly got a fire started using two of the sticks from the pile, then made your way over to Ah-Un and Rin. As you approached, you heard Rin chatting excitedly about something with Ah-Un.        

        “And then this big huge water dragon came out of the water, and she almost got me, but Miss (Y/N) saved me! The demon spoke some kind of weird language… what did Miss (Y/N) say it was again?”        

        “It’s called Latin, Rin.” You said sitting down, gaining the attention of the little girl. She smiled up at you, and Ah-Un seemed like he was doing the same thing.        

        Welcome back (Y/N).         

        “Hey Ah-Un.”         

        We heard what happened.        

        “Did you now?”        

        Yes, Rin was just telling us all about it.        

        “So I heard.”        

        She didn’t even need to tell us though, we knew what happened as soon as you ran off earlier.        

        “And how did you do that?”         

        It is an ability we have, of course. Rin sat there puzzled, wondering what Ah-Un was talking to you about.        

        “What is Ah-Un saying to you?” You hesitated, looking down at Rin’s large curious eyes.        

        “Just how you were so brave back there, and that we’ve had a long day.” Rin giggled. You glanced at Ah-Un, who casually swung his tail, unreactive to the lie you just told to the little girl.        

        “That is true, and I’m pooped.” It was silent for a minute, as the last ray of sun disappeared under the horizon, and was replaced with a black sky littered with stars. Crackling was heard as the fire you started picked up. “How about I get us some food to eat?”        

        “Really? I usually get it myself.”        

        “Oh really?” You shot a glare towards Sesshomaru. Of course you’d make a child fend for themselves. “Well, you don’t have to worry about that tonight. I’m actually a pretty good hunter.”         

        “As if, human.” You glared at Jaken, whose back was, fortunately for him, facing you.        

       “For your information, imp, I’ve been hunting and gathering food for myself for years.”  

        “Years? How long have you been in these forests?” Jaken questioned you with a scowl.         

        “For a long time, but that’s none of your business.” He humphed.         

        “How long have you lived here?” Rin asked softly. Your frown turned into a slight smile.        

        “Like I said, for a really long time. Years and years.”        

        “With no parents?” Your eyes widened at this, caught off guard by her question. You did your best to try and suppress your discomfort.        

        “Nope. Just me.” Rin seemed to be pondering something, deep in thought, but about what, you didn’t want to find out. You pat her back. “Now how about I go get us some meat. Is that okay with you?” She nodded her head without another word.         

        “Good luck finding any creature about tonight.” Jaken commented, which made your frown return.        

        “Then luck will be on my side. I know I can find something.” You turned on your heel to leave, not before noticing the empty space on the hill where Sesshomaru had been, and made your way into the forest.        

 

        (E/C) eyes stalked the ground below them, watching for the slightest movement of any creature to catch their attention. At night, most creatures didn’t stir from the homes, sleeping the day’s activities off, but you knew that wasn’t all true. Owls hooted and crickets chirped, but from your position up in the trees, there was nothing big enough to sustain everyone at the camp.         

        A rustle of leaves suddenly made you turn instinctively towards the sound. On the ground, just barely noticeable, a group of raccoons scampered about. Luck really was on your side. Crouching low, you stalked ever closer on the branch you were perched on, and just at the right moment, you pounced. As you acquired your kill, you were not aware that you yourself were being watched by a pair of calculating golden eyes.

       

        You returned to the camp, your face radiating with pride as you carried with you your victory trophies. Rin was sitting across from Jaken around the fire, and Ah-Un was lying down next to Rin, both heads resting on the ground. When they heard you coming, Rin turned her head over her shoulder to look at you, Ah-Un lifted his heads up slightly, and Jaken did nothing but look at the ground with his usual scowl.        

        “Back already human? Did you already give up?” Your smug smirk only widened.         

        “I don’t know Jaken, does getting a whole bunch of raccoons count as giving up?” Jaken’s eyes widened, especially at the sight of you holding up the three raccoons you killed.         

        “H-How did you get those so fast? Wait, how did you even see in the dark? You’re a human!”         

        “Told you I was an expert hunter, imp.” Jaken eyed you suspiciously as you walked over to Rin and sat down next to her. He was more than a little curious of how an average human as able to catch animals in the dark. You, however, ignored his glaring and pulled out a makeshift knife, and began skinning one of the raccoons for Rin. If she hadn’t been fending for herself before, you were she would have fainted at the sight instead of happily watching you until you were done. You held out the meat to Rin, inviting her to dig in, but she only appeared disgusted by it. Confused, you pulled it away from her and looked down at the meat, seeing nothing wrong with it yourself. You heard Ah-Un laugh, and you looked to see he was indeed almost smiling through the muzzles he wore.        

        Most humans need to have their meat cooked before they can eat it. Your brows creased with even more confusion.        

        “You need it cooked?” Rin nodded her head, disgust still present on her face.         

        And gutted too.        

        “Gutted too? I’ve always eaten it completely raw.” You shrugged your shoulders. “Okay then, let’s gut and cook these things, I guess.”         

        “I’ll help skin the rest, Miss (Y/N).”         

        “It’s okay Rin, I’ll take care of it tonight.” You began gutting the raccoon, and once you were done you stood up and walked over to the trees, searching for sticks to use to hold the meat over the fire. Finding a few large ones, you stuck the meat you had already prepared onto one of the sticks and returned to your spot at the fire. As you placed the raccoon cabob over the flames, you began skinning the next one for yourself.          

        “Say, Miss (Y/N)?” She asked, tugging on your pant leg as you worked.         

        “What is it?”        

        “How did you meet Kaekilla?” You chuckled.        

        “Well, it was a lot like how you did at first.” Rin tilted her head in puzzlement, and you noticed out of your peripheral Sesshomaru appeared to be listening to you as well, as he had his left ear slightly leaned towards you. “Well…”

***         

        Water. Just a little drop was all you needed. You had gone days on end without it, wandering the forest for ages it seemed, and not a trace of any lake, river, stream, or even a puddle. There hadn’t been rain for weeks; you were running out of options.         

        Just as you were about to give up for the day from exhaustion, you happened to push past a bush and stumble upon a small river. The sight of the flowing water filled your chest with joy. Without a second thought, you sprinted towards the bank, cupped some water into your shaky hands, and drank greedily. You didn’t even stop to consider how contaminated it was, where it was flowing from, or even if there was something else that lurked in the water. You were just so parched, so tired, that this most primal need clouded your judgement.         

        You didn’t see it coming. Only when you heard something below the water’s surface did you begin to back away, and not a second to spare, as something arose from the water. Droplets rained on your entire body, and the water parted reveal a large creature with a long scaly figure, its most concerning features being a long snout full of razor sharp teeth and terrifying glowing red eyes. It growled, and you rolled out of the way as the creature lunged at you, its long maw snapping and claws slashing. The creature missed, but immediately shot a stream of scolding hot water at you, which you barely dodged. However, some of the water grazed your shoulder, sending searing hot pain down your arm.        

        What you now knew to be a demon growled in front of you as you clutched your injured shoulder. For a second, you thought you could make out jumbled words, but you had no time to ponder this as you dodged another shot of broiling water.         

        “I didn’t know this river was your territory! I’m sorry!” You yelled, trying to calm the demon down, only to end in vain. You heard it again, the words, only this time you could make out what the feminine voice was saying. Although, they were words not native to your tongue.     

        “Foeda humana! (Filthy human!) Decede! (Leave!)”         

        “Me paenitet! (I’m sorry!) Non ego ausa sum inruere! (I did not intend to intrude!)” The words came out of your mouth before you even had time to think about them. The demon stopped in, presumably her, tracks, staring at you with those narrowed crimson eyes.         

        “Intelleges meam (You understand me.)” You didn’t know how you could understand her, much less speak her language, but you found yourself nodding anyway at the demon’s question. Her long, slender, serpent-like form further emerged from the water, and you noticed now that she resembled a giant water wyrm. “Quid estne tua nomine? (What is your name?)” You slowly began to approach the demon, who now did nothing to stop you.         

        “(Y/N)” You stopped just in front of her jaw.         

        “Mihi nomen est Kaekilla. (My name is Kaekilla.)” You bowed out of respect, acknowledging your new friend, staring into those glowing red eyes as she did the same into your (E/C) ones. A connection had been born.

 

***         

        “After that, she allowed me to use her river, and I’ve basically known her ever since.” You said while finishing the rest of your raccoon, which you had decided to cook so as not to disgust Rin.         

        “Wow, so she tried to eat you too.”        

        “Sorta.”         

        “Do you have anymore stories?” You raised your brow at the sudden change of topic, while also thinking about other ‘exciting’ events in your life.          

        “Perhaps, but maybe tomorrow night. It’s getting pretty late, and you should get some sleep.”        

        “But I’m not sleepy.” You smirked at her tired tone and the way she was rubbing her sleepy eyes. She yawned, and you raised a rather sarcastic brow.         

        “Oh really?” She paused.          

        “Maybe just a little.” She yawned again.          

        “That’s what I thought. Well, I’m tired too, so how about we all hit the hay.” Rin whined, but you assured her it was for the best. “Jaken, could you douse that fire for us?” You said quickly as you walked over to the tree Ah-Un was still tethered to.         

        “Do I look like a slave to you?”         

        “Thanks!” You said, before he could yell at you anymore. You could hear him fuming, but nevertheless, he did eventually douse the fire. At the tree, you jumped from branch to branch, until you found one high enough with a good view of the moon. You slumped down on the branch and put your hands behind your head as you leaned against the trunk.         

        Staring at the moon, you began to get lost in your racing thoughts. So much had happened to you in the course of a day. For so long you had been on your own, barely any other contact with anyone, human or demon. Now you were traveling with three demons and a little girl, an unlikely situation you could have never predicted in your lifetime. Rin was a little sweetheart, Jaken was just fun to mess with, Ah-Un was a great friend albeit very stubborn when discussing matters around you, and Sesshomaru…         

        You glanced down at the hill to see him there, back from wherever he had disappeared to earlier. He was odd, quiet and reserved, and not a demon of many words. He was more bite and no bark, ironically befitting a dog demon, and this was demonstrated by the scratches he gave you this morning to prove a point, whatever it was. Speaking of your shoulder, it had healed a while ago, of this you were certain, but you still found it hard to believe that his apparent poison had no effect on you. If it was so deadly, why were you not dead right now?         

        Lifting up your cape, you saw the white cloth Rin had given you this morning wrapped around your shoulder, where dried blood still caked its surface. You unwrapped the cloth to reveal no scars, scratches, dried blood, nothing to show that there had been three deep claw marks there just this morning. It came as no surprise to you though, you knew your wounds would heal quickly, that’s how it had always been if you had any kind of injury. But you wondered what this truly meant if a demon like Sesshomaru was so interested in that fact, and you began to wonder if he knew something you didn’t.         

        You found yourself gazing back down at Sesshomaru, who was staring at the moon as you were, and you then began to think of the mysterious business he had at Mount Hakurei. There was nothing you could think of that he would want, and you doubted he would even fathom telling you. Whatever it was though, at least he allowed you to travel with his group. They really started growing on you, at least Rin and Ah-Un did. Jaken… not so much, but it was still such a break from the loneliness you had grown so accustomed to that it didn’t seem as bad to you anymore.        

        Sighing in content, you stared up at the many stars that littered the sky. A yawn slipped past your lips, and your eyes began to droop, wishing to close right then and there. Wow, I really am tired. You chuckled at yourself, then wrapped yourself up in your cape as you did every night, and drifted off to sleep.        

        Little did you know, you had not been the only one wondering about the topic of yourself tonight. Just as you had been eyeing Sesshomaru, he had been eyeing you as well. His golden orbs were currently locked onto your sleeping form, and just below he saw Ah-Un curled at the bottom of the tree directly under you, with Rin huddled in his lap, sound asleep herself. He recalled the odd way his dragon was acting around you as well. The attachment the dragon demon held to you was unusual, even more so the fact that you could understand him somehow. In fact, he was surprised you spoke an ancient language, the one you used to speak to the water dragon demon, yet you claimed to have never officially learned it. He had also listened to your story of how you befriended the water demon, as well as observed your hunt of the raccoons.         

        To him, you seemed less a human and more of an animal, but it was not in the same as how he viewed other humans. It wasn’t that he was necessarily, albeit somewhat, disgusted by you, but you truly acted as if you were not human, rather something else more wild. By far though, the strangest thing about you was how you were unaffected by his poison claws. Nothing before had stood a chance against them, even the vapor was deadly to whoever was unlucky enough to smell it. But when he attacked your shoulder tis morning, it was almost as if the poison disappeared on contact with your skin, despite having practically melting the tree right behind you. He had absolutely no explanation for that, and he also had none for why your injuries from your first encounter with him had all but disappeared in the short span of a night or how you a human such as yourself survived that many number of serious injuries. Even the marks he inflicted you with this morning had stopped bleeding in a matter of minutes. It was clear to him you were no ordinary human, and as he stared back at the moon, one question ran through his mind. 

        Who truly was this human, and where did she come from?

 

        (A/N: Wow, I banged this out in mostly a day, that’s the first time that’s happened in a while! Ha! Well, look, I’m getting my updating together now that it’s the last week of school. All we have are finals the next two days ((which are half days and honestly nobody cares about)) then the last day of school which is also a half day. After that, it’s summer break! I’ll have much more freedom, which is weird because all I’m thinking about is how I no longer have a crapload of homework. Also, I’m gonna publish some other stories that are already partially written so that you guys can read them and see what you think. I will say, most of them are not fanfics, but I don’t wanna give too much away about what they are just yet >;) ((no, they are not lemons don’t even get any ideas)) . And with that, I’ll hopefully see y’all laters X) )