So here is the first chapter of my Inuyasha story, Beside the River With You. It's a little short, but I just wanted to get a little sample of it out there for you guys to see. I've had this story rolling around in my brain for quite a while and it finally got so persistent I had to put it into words. This story will switch back and forth from the present to the past, with the past mostly being told from memories and dreams. I will hopefully be posting the next chapter very soon, but only after I update my Yu Yu Hakusho story, What's Written in Stone. I figure I'll post a new chapter of each every time I update. :) Well, get on with the reading my lovelies!
Edited as of 11/6/2016 (Constructive criticism from friends)
Disclaimer: I own nothing Inuyasha, nor do I own anything by Jack's Mannequin.
Have you ever been alone in a crowded room? Well, I'm here with you. I said the world could be burning 'til there's nothing but dark blue.. (Jack's Mannequin: Dark Blue)
Night was slowly blanketing the sky as Sesshomaru placed the fabric he'd gotten for Rin in the bag on Ah-Un's saddle. It was a bright yellow color, with a red and orange circle pattern spread across it. His ward, now twelve years old, had already begun to outgrow the last kimono he had gotten her. Sesshomaru closed the bag and turned around to walk back to the edge of the clearing his group had camped in for the night. Ah-Un let out a soft rumble of relief as its heavy body sank onto the ground, preparing itself for a pleasant night of rest now that its master's errands were finished.
Sesshomaru chose a large tree at the farthest edge of their camp and slowly sat down as well. Jaken had already fallen asleep, even though the day had just ended not even an hour ago. His tiny body was curled towards the fire he'd made. Sesshomaru had had half a mind to tell him not to bother with it, they were demons the weather did not bother them like it would a human, but he'd decided against that. He knew his retainer had developed the habit of building a fire when Rin had traveled with them. She would soon have to choose whether or not she wished to stay in the human village or accompany Sesshomaru in his travels again. He supposed, if she did choose to follow him, Jaken might as well be in the habit of taking care of things for her as he did before.
If Sesshomaru had been soft-hearted, he might have admitted that he kept the fire because it reminded him of his bubbly, over-excitable ward. Good thing he was most certainly not soft-hearted. Nope. Not. At. All.
Sesshomaru let out an irritated sigh as a very familiar scent was carried through the clearing on a light breeze. Technically it was two scents, belonging to people he hadn't seen in years, but nonetheless their smell aggravated him. They were fox demons, and they called the northern mountains their home. Sesshomaru wondered briefly what could have brought them back to the west after over two centuries. He knew he could simply follow their scents to find them and ask them himself, but his curiosity wasn't strong enough to warrant getting up from his resting spot. Besides, he was certain they would have come to him if it was his attention they sought. Resigning to ignore the presence of his former allies, Sesshomaru released the catch on his armor and set it to the side. He then leaned back against the tree again, fidgeting for a moment as he tried to find the most comfortable spot the hard bark could offer.
Sesshomaru let his eyes slowly shut. He knew, even with the appearance of two tricky fox demons from his past, the area surrounding his group was safe for the moment. He could let his body rest, without fear of any other demon trying to sneak up on them and attack. Before sleep completely took the dog demon, the scents of soil, grass, and burning wood wafted once more through the clearing, carried by a gentle, caressing wind.
*The Western Palace, Many Years Ago*
Sesshomaru wiped the sweat from his brow as he tried to catch his breath. His muscles were already aching from practicing his sword fighting with his father. Inu no Taisho smiled faintly, trying to decide if it would be worth the glare and silent treatment his son would give him if he teased the boy about how red-faced he was at the moment. He had put Sesshomaru through a rough training session this time around, he knew that, but he didn't want his boy getting complacent with his strength. Especially now that the Dog General had made a decision that would greatly affect his son's future. He was sure Sesshomaru wouldn't be pleased once his father had told him of his plans. Neither would countless demons residing in his lands. Inu no Taisho had made up his mind though, and he wasn't the type to go back on his word.
"Perhaps we should take a break, Sesshomaru?" He asked.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened ever-so-slightly. "No! I'm not even tired yet. Can't we practice more, Father?"
Inu no Taisho laughed, a deep rumbling sound that echoed around them. "Ah, but your Father is, indeed, tired. You'll have to forgive me, my son, I'm afraid my age is starting to catch up to me."
"You're not that old." Sesshomaru said, but he still walked over and put away the sword he'd been using. Inu no Taisho smiled again, and put away his weapon as well.
"Perhaps you'd like to come with me so we can speak privately? Before our guests arrive?"
Sesshomaru looked up at his father, suspicion and curiosity alight in his eyes. His father didn't often ask him to speak in private. He was also curious as to who these guests were that were coming. Normally his father would inform him of any company they would be having. Sesshomaru wondered why his father had been keeping these people's identities a secret.
He knew there was no chance of his father divulging who these mysterious guests were, so he settled for asking another question. "What do we need to speak about?"
The Dog General just smiled and placed his hand on his son's shoulder. "Come with me."
Sesshomaru followed his father all the way to the man's war room. He was surprised, he wasn't allowed into this room very often. Hm, Father must want to speak about something serious. Inu no Taisho sat down and motioned for his son to do the same. Sesshomaru sat across from him, eyeing his father wearily.
"I need to discuss your future with you." His father said.
A twig snapping from somewhere behind him woke Sesshomaru from his light slumber. He scanned the area, testing the air for the scents of anything dangerous. The only smells that reached his sensitive nose were those of the surrounding plant-life and the few nocturnal animals that dared to get so close to his presence. Sesshomaru let out a sigh and glanced over at his two slumbering companions. Ah-Un and Jaken were still sound asleep, both curled into themselves. The fire Jaken had built had died down, only a few glowing embers were left. Sesshomaru slowly stood to his feet, ignoring the painful ache in his back his rough pillow had given him. He walked into the forest, making sure not to so far that he could no longer sense the other members of his small group.
What had made him dream of that memory with his father? Normally when the image of his father crept into his mind, it was of the last moment he had spent with him. When his father had been about to race off, seriously wounded, to his half-brothers human mother. He had not thought of that conversation with the man in nearly two centuries.
Sesshomaru assumed the sudden appearance of two ghosts from his past had something to do with the sudden memory. Now that he was farther into the woods he tested the air once more. It took only a moment for the scents of the fox demons to reach his nose. He sighed in irritation. He knew his mind was going to wreak havoc on him if he did not find out what they were doing in his lands. He followed their scents a small distance before coming to a sudden stop. The elderly priestesses (Kaede was her name wasn't it? Honestly, even after four years he couldn't care enough to remember for sure.) village was in the direction their scents were headed in. They wouldn't have headed that way, though...would they? He wondered. The past four years he had made sure no one who could bring harm to Rin knew of her location. Sesshomaru knew though, if a certain irritating fox demon wanted to know something concerning him, he would find a way to get the information he wanted at all cost.
Sesshomaru turned around and headed back towards the makeshift camp. It seemed they would be heading towards the village a little earlier than expected.
Rin waited patiently, basket in hand, for Lady Kaede to reach her. The older woman smiled warmly at the young girl. Rin had grown even more in the past year. The thirteen year old now stood almost a head taller than the elderly priestess. She could tell the kimono Lord Sesshomaru had gotten for her all those months ago would soon be too short. Kaede expected there would soon be a visit from the apathetic dog demon, where he would gift Rin with a kimono that fit her better.
"Are you ready to go, Lady Kaede?" Rin asked.
"Aye, child. Let us be off."
As Rin turned around to head towards the field, a powerful aura swept over them. Kaede gasped at the overwhelming feeling.
"Be still, Rin!" Rin stopped, just as two figures appeared from behind a hut in front of them.
One was a very tall man. As tall as Lord Sesshomaru, Rin guessed. This man's hair was a light brown color and it was tied in a high pony tail. He wore a deep red kimono and white hakama. He had armor covering his chest. Rin saw that his eyes were bandaged so that he could not see. The other figure was a woman. She had brown hair as well, though her's was slightly darker than the man's. Her kimono was a bright orange color, with red and pink chrysanthemum's decorating it and she wore a yellow obi. A red piece of fabric covered the bottom half of her face. The woman was barefoot and the man wore black ankle-high boots, which, again, reminded her of her Lord Sesshomaru. Behind them, Rin could see tails swinging slowly back and forth. The man seemed to have five, while the woman only had four.
Lady Kaede stepped in front of Rin. "What business do ye fox demons have in this village?" She asked, her voice full of authority. The man tilted his head towards the woman beside him, as if listening for something, and smiled.
"Our business is with the child, Priestess."
So, like I said, it's a pretty short chapter. I just wanted to get something out there so you could tell me what you think. So if you feel like it, review! If not, I hope you enjoyed reading and I'll post the second chapter soon. :) See-ya!