Get away. She had to get away. Hearing rustling in the trees, she stopped moving and hid quickly. She steadied her breathing then hushed. Her heart was racing for a moment, but she took calming breaths to ease its pulse. The demons weren't far behind. When all was quiet, she snuck away from her hiding spot and started running again. No sound. Make no sound. Coming to the top of a waterfall, she stopped to look behind her. Nothing was there but the rustling could be heard in the distance again. She lurked through brush and twigs until she could see where the water was pooling below. Without hesitation, she jumped. The air whipped through her hair and clothes until she cut through the water and became stationary. Swimming expertly, she held her breath and kept going until she reached a shallow part. It looked like a beaver's dam was in the process of being built. Before she could come up for air, a claw snatched her out of the water and tossed her effortlessly on dry land. She let out a yelp before spotting familiar white, cuffed hakama pants and black boots.
"This is your fifth time in three days, witch," Sesshomaru said, looking down at Meioshi with displeasure in his voice.
"You've to be joking!" Meioshi responded, backing away. "How'd you even find me? I was under water!"
"You don't have your powers anymore, witch," Sesshomaru answered with a smirk. "Did you forget that you used their entirety when you sealed those maelstroms? You're fully human now."
"They're not gone, silly old dog! They're just dormant!" Meioshi argued. "Since when have you been keeping record of my status?"
"When you tried to run off the first time, witch," Sesshomaru answered. He turned to walk back to the campsite and said over his shoulder, "Let's go, doctor. Don't dawdle."
Meioshi narrowed her eyes at him and went to stand up to follow him. She took deliberately slower steps. He didn't get very far, though. The doctor took off running in the opposite direction immediately once a healthy distance was between them. Although she was faster than most humans, she was easier to catch up to without all of that power. He still didn't understand it himself in all honesty, but Sesshomaru also didn't see what transpired after he saw Meioshi fight that ogre. He was trying to see what Totosai had decided to do about his foundry, but the old man only cryptically said that it was useless to him and had decided to stay with Okakura in the meantime. Jaken has been enjoying every second of having the doctor at his beck and call. The western lord had to admit that watching the doctor do the most menial of tasks with a monstrous grudge was hilarious, but he dared not laugh or smirk at her. She did, after all, offer to be put through his trials. Letting the doctor get at least one or two miles away from him, he ran after her in his sonic speed and simply wrapped her body in his Moko Moko like a lasso. Refusing to be dragged back to the camp, Meioshi dug her nails into the ground until she caught a tree root. When Sesshomaru realized he needed to pull harder, he turned to see her clinging to the nearest tree and holding on for dear life.
"I'm not..." Meioshi said, being stretched to full length as the western lord pulled her quietly. "Going... back!"
"You violate our agreement then?" Sesshomaru asked coldly, holding up a steel claw.
"I agreed..." Meioshi said, trying to adjust her grip on the tree, "to help you... find... your Meido Stone. I never... agreed... to be your stupid handmaid!"
"You are not my stupid handmaid, witch," Sesshomaru purred evilly, allowing a ghost of a smirk to appear on his lips. "You are Jaken's. Your service to him suffices as compensation for your penal offense against the House of Inu. Serving me requires far more than your ability to setup camp."
"I'll swallow..." Meioshi said through gritted teeth and trying to round the tree's trunk, "hot, molten glass... fresh off the pipe... before I empty another piss bucket!"
"It's either that or you bathe him while naked," Sesshomaru threatened, feeling the tension in his Moko Moko suddenly loosen. He could see the horrified look in the sideways glance of Meioshi's eyes. "The choice is yours."
The doctor turned, shivering and quaking like a rusty chain on a pulley, blue-faced and all, and said, "You wouldn't dare."
The western lord only tilted his head back and let out a dark huff before letting the air grow silent. With that, she grumbled the whole way back with her arms folded and feet slightly stomping until they made it to her campsite. Although he didn't show it, the doctor's skills in making camp were impressive to say the least. Their first night together was... productive... on the doctor's end. Sesshomaru experimentally had everyone stop travelling, so he could properly locate Heiwa's relative direction even though he already knew it, and made Jaken supervise Meioshi in the meantime. Sesshomaru, on the other hand, actually went to retrieve Ah-Un because the twin-headed dragon could do one crucial thing that he himself couldn't do on his own despite the fact that Meioshi was essentially powerless: detect her smell. Somehow, the dragon could track her very easily, which is how he's been able to catch his little runaway so many times, so he's had time to simply keep watch over the doctor and her shell crib.
Walking over to said dragon, Sesshomaru scratched under Ah's chin and went to his seating area. She toiled for hours in creating their resting site on the first day, but she was highly adept in making rooftops out of leaves and tree branches, and she somehow found the time to make lanterns throughout the night after Jaken had fallen asleep. She used whittled tree branches stripped tree branches or leaf spines to create dowels and strings to form each one meticulously. After she made housing and light on the first day, she started making bedding because Sesshomaru "sensed" a threat nearby. Really, he was just stalling to see what else she was capable of doing. Much to his surprise, there were two sleeping bunks and a resting place laid out, but that's also how the trouble of his runaway's attempt at escape started. She gave them the unfortunate luxury of having a piss bucket... and Jaken abused the hell out of it.
"Trying to run off again, witch doctor?" Jaken asked, holding back smug laughter. "I'll have to think of a good punishment for troubling my gracious lord. Let's see... what shall I do with you?"
Meioshi inhaled a sharp breath before exhaling and replying, "Will my lord allow his tactless servant to fetch supper whilst he thinks of such consequence?"
"Hm..." Jaken hummed, rubbing his chin with closed eyes and a wicked grin. "Actually, my feet are tired from standing all day and having to monitor you working. I propose a foot rub for your insolence. A merciful punishment, wouldn't you agree?"
The look in Meioshi's eyes would've stopped blood from flowing, but she was quiet and kneeled down before the imp. She then growled, "Of course, my lord. Have you a preference?"
"A preference?" Jaken asked, not expecting the question in response. "For what?"
"Rubbing oil scent, Lord Jaken," Meioshi answered, closing her eyes and replying sweetly. "There is a healthy abundance of fragrant foliage that can be used in this area for such a treat. My lord will not be disappointed. I specialize in such services as part of my medical practice. My lord merely needs to choose his staple fragrance. The rest of the scent notes will become my responsibility."
Pressing his fingers together and producing a large, mischievous grin, Jaken replied, "I see. What, pray tell, is usable for such a thing?"
"I enjoy the Manjushage as a top note combined with lavender and an arbitrary wood. It is very relaxing," Meioshi suggested.
"And how long would it take you to make this rubbing oil?" Jaken asked, secretly eager to try out the doctor's personal favorite oil.
"My lord should have his feet properly tended to within the half hour. By then, supper will be cooking and you can enjoy your meal and drink uninterrupted. Would this suit you, Lord Jaken?" Meioshi asked, refusing to look into Jaken's eyes.
"I'll allow it," Jaken answered, watching the woman bow low and rise to stand. "No running away now; otherwise, you'll have to deal with Lord Sesshomaru's punishment."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Meioshi said quickly, tensing up at the mere notion.
_____________________________________
About a hundred or so years ago...
"Pardon my suggestion, me lord, but it might be best if we rest here for the night. You are beginning to slow in your footing."
Sesshomaru stopped walking before turning around to see Jaken flinch and cower. He had no reason to listen to the imp's humble words. He just sensed something nearby. That was all. He then said, "If you need to rest, Jaken, do what you will. Stop me again and I will send you back to your pathetic village."
"Y-y-yes, me lord!" Jaken said, bowing quickly at Sesshomaru's snippy response.
From there, the two proceeded by foot to track an enemy. It was a demon and it kept fleeting away from them each time Sesshomaru had gotten closer to it. The western lord was annoyed by that until a pinch in his foot diverted his attention from the enemy. Growling at the imp's prediction, he narrowed his eyes at the creature ahead and turned to walk to a nearby clearing to ease the pressure on his foot coming from the rough terrain of their path. That seemed to only heighten the pinching sensation before it became a pulling sensation that caused genuine pain. Looking in the direction of the distant enemy, he merely looked up into the sky for a moment to enjoy the serenity of the clearing.
"Imp. Make yourself useful and start a fire."
"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken said with a cheerfulness in his voice.
Not understanding the excitement behind such a small task, Sesshomaru merely let his gaze follow the imp as he rushed to find firewood. It didn't take Jaken long to make a fire, but he did fumble around for a little while simply due to nervousness. Sesshomaru didn't understand that either. There was no reason to be nervous as far as he could tell. It was just a fire. Sitting in silence for a few moments, the western lord noticed that the imp was beginning to fidget a bit.
When he turned to him, he commanded sharply, "Cease that at once."
"Cease what, me lord?" Jaken asked, straightening his posture.
"That incessant fidgeting," Sesshomaru answered, furrowing his brow to show his displeasure. "You were a lord of your village, were you not? Act like it. I've no tolerance for shows of weakness."
"Yes, me lord," Jaken said after clearing his throat and adding base to his voice.
"Is that mockery?" Sesshomaru questioned.
"No, me lord!" Jaken replied, waving his hands frantically. "This is how I often sounded when dealing with societal problems!"
Relaxing his face, Sesshomaru allowed himself to properly rest. Silence had returned to the camp and his sights drifted to the crackling fire. As hypnotic as it was, the flames were as calming as they were bright. He then finally asked, "Did you have to make decisions for your people often?"
Jaken looked up, surprised by his lord's innocence shining through, and answered, "Well, my village didn't have much to complain about. We got attacked by some terrifying enemies before, but we were a relatively cooperative group. We rebuilt our world each time we faced an overwhelming adversary. I couldn't solve every problem all at once, but I took things one step at a time. Prioritization was key."
"Why did you really choose to follow me?" Sesshomaru asked quietly. It may as well have been a whisper. "Your world may have been vulnerable but it was functional. What reason did you have to leave it?"
Jaken took his time answering his lord's questions. They were personal, but his voice seemed to be filled with doubt. For a split second, he might have even detected a bit of shame like he was undeserving of being followed. The Vermillion Forest of Imps was worse than vulnerable. They were on the lower end of demon species in comparison to the House of Inu. Sesshomaru's sheer might in battle was beyond admirable for a creature who knew no magic or close-range combat skills. To him, Sesshomaru was heroic more than he was snippy.
Having his answer ready, Jaken said simply, "Anyone could have done what I was doing. My use to the village was the same as the next imp. You... somehow, I feel you need a specific kind of servant. One whose use is not the same as the next person. Something about fulfilling that need... did something for me. When I stepped down from my position and walked away from the safety - as shaken as it always will be - and security of my village, the walls around me felt stronger, the ground felt sturdier. I had no reason to fear another because I fear and respect the most powerful adversary to exist."
"I am not the most powerful... yet," Sesshomaru replied. "I've a sword to obtain before I can accept such a title. One that was denied to me."
"A sword that was denied to you," Jaken said, creeping over to the young lord to hear him. His voice was a lot smaller in an intimate space. Maybe he just wasn't used to it? Regardless, the imp asked, "From who?"
"My father. He refused me the Tessaiga as my birthright. It is the most powerful weapon wielded by an inu, or any demon of worth, said to be able to kill 1000 demons in a single strike," Sesshomaru answered with a visible frown. "Until the sword is mine, he remains the most powerful."
"Pardon me for saying so, but I never knew your father beyond legend. He may be responsible for your strength in part, but you had to have learned how to do battle on your own at some point. That's what you graced me with: the ability to see your true strength. To me, you are the most powerful as you are now without this Tessaiga," Jaken said, earning a glance from Sesshomaru while he was looking down at his feet. "But... you should not have been denied such a sword, especially if it is your birthright. If my lord wants the Tessaiga, then I will help you get it somehow! Promise!"
Sesshomaru's features softened, if only for a moment, before he closed his eyes and said, "Do what you will... Jaken..."
____________________________________
As promised, Meioshi got to work preparing food. She went with a simple miso soup since they were away from most animals for meatier entrees. Sesshomaru had taken a small pot from Okakura after he dropped off Ah-Un at the campsite. The witch was going to get hungry at some point, and, since Jaken was the only one familiar with her cooking, he figured Meioshi's punishment would be worth it if Jaken could eat fine foods. As the soup was cooking, Meioshi grinded flowers on wood bark to make a small mixture of some kind. She had a smaller cup of water on the side to add to the concoction until a proper liquid had formed. Sesshomaru took note to the lack of a mortar and pestle set at her disposal and wondered if she could've made the oil faster if her tools were available to her. Unfortunately, he wasn't familiar enough with her estate to know where her things were, but he could at least simply watch her toil away at something. For whatever reason, he was fascinated by her level of concentration when she worked.
Once she was complete with the oil, she puckered her lips to blow onto the mixture to inspire cooling and placed the small bowl of deep fuchsia liquid next to Jaken. She then returned to her soup, tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear, and smelled the soup's steam. There was a scent coming from it that displeased her, so she went into the wild brush to retrieve some plants. She collected more mushrooms, a couple of wild peppers, and soft stones. Returning to the pot, she ground together the spices in her hands and dumped them in the pot before inspecting the mushrooms and going over to her small prep area to slice them. Maybe it was the meticulous nature of her toiling that drove his curiosity. That smolder in her eyes might have been another factor, but, nevertheless, she added something to make the soup smell pleasant and moved on to tending to Jaken.
She took a clean cloth soaked in lavender water to clean Jaken's feet and then rubbed the oil in her hands. Once she took Jaken's webbed foot in her soft hands, Jaken's soul went straight to the heavens as she worked the small muscles and nerves in them, and he stretched completely out before he sunk into his bedding the doctor made for him with small tears in the corner of his eyes. He let what sounded like a mixture between a moan and a chuckle out before suggesting, "Lord Sesshomaru, you simply must partake in this!"
"No," Sesshomaru replied, closing his eyes to avoid chuckling at the imp's face.
Maybe he should consider getting a servant for Jaken. He seemed to enjoy the doctor's treatments whether directly through her foot massage or indirectly through her wards. The western lord then looked at Meioshi as she worked and wondered if all of these skills were learned to free those children. Was she so devoted to teaching them other skills beyond a life of prostitution that she willingly learned a different skill each visit? Perhaps that was the most she could do before she came into power. She mentioned she legally couldn't do much for them. This woman seemed to have tried everything she could to give her wards a better life.
"What will you do when your wards are freed?" he asked one night while they were sitting by the stream.
It was the first night she started moving her wards to another village for school. She had them pick out things for them to take and allowed them to play as long as they wanted to. Most nights the children slept, but there were some that were happier engaged in play and gossip.
"Probably dance around the house butt naked," Meioshi joked, smiling at the notion before tilting her head up to the sky and closing her eyes. "But I have someone... to tell that I kept my promise. That Ohta is free, too."
"Won't you miss them?" Sesshomaru asked, watching two children chasing fireflies with little mason jars.
"Missing them implies that I've ended my journey," Meioshi replied, making Sesshomaru turn to look at her. She opened her eyes to look at the playing children and said, "The fight has only just begun to ensure their freedom. I only completed part of it. They may be free from the okiyas, but life's misfortunes will try to pull them back. The next part of my fight is ensuring that they can get through all parts of life safely, sufficiently, and happily. I wish I could trust all men and demons to treat them with kindness, but this is simply not reality. I'll probably never get a moment's peace once they all go free! They won't have time to miss me. Neither will I. But... if I can give them a world where they don't have to worry, where they can work towards a better life, where they won't have hatred in their hearts for the people that have hurt them, where they can have real friendships and relationships worth keeping and making and developing, then taking up the sword... is a simple thing. My fight is not over. It's just in its next phase. I look forward to the challenge."
He didn't think about it like that before. Was his fight just beginning? Was the world safe enough for Rin? for Jaken? The doctor completed her foot massage and washed her hands clean of oil and imp feet. Jaken had fallen asleep and was snoring in his bed. Walking over to her soup, she stirred it with a spoon with a small smile on her lips before her expression changed and she stopped stirring. Something was wrong.
"He's sick," she said aloud, alerting Sesshomaru. "Were you aware of this, Lord Sesshomaru?"
Before she could get another word out, Sesshomaru had his claw at her throat. His pupils were shrunken and a glare that was bone-chilling was sent to the doctor. The western lord growled, "What did you do to him?"
"Nothing," Meioshi said, looking at Sesshomaru with worry in her features. "You did this."
"What nonsense are you speaking of, witch?" he demanded, tightening his grip on her.
She remained calm and spoke through calculated breaths, "That was why I kept running away. His urine has a distinctive scent and coloring not typical for imp demons. I only know this because I studied the ones that lived near Heiwa. His urine should have a woody or fresh scent and be relatively lighter in color. Closer to water by appearance. When I checked the nerves in his feet earlier, they were slow to react. He was even showing signs of feeling faint while monitoring me. These symptoms are a result of poisoning... your poisoning. Do you remember what the black wall demon said to you? That he converted your attacks to hurt Jaken mentally? I think it was literal. He took your poison to attack him."
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes before his grip got tighter. Meioshi was having a harder time breathing now and merely let the western lord continue. Jaken wasn't dying, per se, but he would eventually succumb to Sesshomaru's poison if she predicted this correctly. The western lord had every right to be angry. It was her fault... but... she could try to help him as best as she could. Poisoning was a curable sickness.
"Sess...shoma...ru... I agreed to be his servant, remember? I can cure him... but I need an... antidote. Maybe... you can... find a healer for him... in my place... if you don't... trust me enough. This is my fault. I shouldn't have gotten... you involved at all. I didn't know..."
Watching her eyes roll in the back of her head, he remained in place as she shook her head and tried to free her airway to remain conscious. He was livid at what she was saying. There was no doubt about it, but she wasn't putting up a fight like she normally would either. This was her second time not doing anything to defend herself. That meant she was serious. Placing her down and releasing her neck, he turned to Jaken while she struggled to breathe calmly again.
Jaken... no... Sesshomaru thought to himself.