He felt the edges of his control give under the weight of exhaustion. How odd that he, a demon, a Taiyoukai should succumb to such a human weakness. But this was one battle where his enemy was beyond his skills. One foe he could not fight. And it was maddening.
Sesshomaru worked his jaw and forced his body to relax. It was late and yet here he sat brooding. The tension seemed to stiffen even his flowing head of silver hair. It laid straight and unkempt at the moment and his clothes disheveled. He closed his golden eyes and searched for a way to end this. His fangs gnashed together at the sound of another terrified scream. He couldn't fight it for her. He couldn't stop her pain no matter how desperately he wanted to.
It had started a scant fives weeks ago. Hardly a miniscule blink of time in his incredibly long life. He tried, and failed to remember a period that seemed half so long. His ward Rin, was suffering in her sleep. Her normally soundless sleep had been torn apart as she was ravaged by dreams, terrors really, from a past he thought she had long ago forgotten. But it seems that in her being so young, her mind blocked her experiences, allowing her to know them but not recognize the horror of them. Now that she had matured, the terror was drowning her. She refused to sleep. And when she did sleep the images she long ago lived and survived threatened to destroy her in a new way. Her screams filled the halls of his fortress. Her wild movements injured not only herself but any who attempted to help her. And worse, she would not wake when in this state. Nothing he did nor said would rouse her. It was the only time she had ever disobeyed him.
He had been bewildered the first night it happened. Her scream woke him and had him flying from his bed. He arrived in her room, sword drawn and ready to destroy whomever dare attempt to harm any in his protection. But he found her asleep and only having a nightmare. His attempt to wake her went unheeded. If anything, she reacted more violently than ever. Then a second scream tore through his hearing. This one more anguished than the first. Her eyes were open but she was not awake. Her movements told of a different environment than the one she was in. And she was beyond terrified. It was the first time he had ever felt true panic.
She never remembered what she dreamt, never knew of what she said or did. But each time she awoke exhausted, sore and frightened. Now she barely slept. Trying to go days without rest only to collapse and fall into an even more violent dream. Her health was failing. She barely ate knowing food would weigh her down and make her more apt to take sleep. But they were all exhausted.
"Jaken."
"Yes milord?" The imp asked wearily.
"This must end."
"Milord, we have summoned all the best healers across Japan to her side. None have helped."
'Yes,' he thought grimly 'and one had forfeited his life for suggesting that she had faked it.'
"I can not imagine why you do not just send her away Lord Sesshomaru."
One quelling glance had the imp sputtering apologies. His lord was not to be tested now. His mood was far more sour now with the lack or rest and equal lack of patience.
They were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Enter."
A demon female stepped in, one he recognized as a servant at his fortress. She set her candle aside and bowed deeply. "Lord Sesshomaru I apologize for the hour. I have come with news of a possible aid in Lady Rin's plight."
'Finally.' "Speak."
"A companion of mine from the village nearby has a child, her son, that suffered as my lady does now. His dreams plagued him frightfully and my friend was at a loss. Nothing would calm him."
'Sounds eerily familiar.' He thought.
"Then talking to a traveling merchant she heard of a demon that had abilities that involved the mind. My friend inquired but heard little of the demons whereabouts. Everyone she talked to knew nothing of this demon or where to look. Far and wide, what little she learned was few and far between. Just as my friend had begun to give up, the demon shows up at her hut and offered to help. Tsuyaka's son was cured within the week and no longer suffers."
"Why was I not informed earlier?" He barked, temper rising.
"Milord, my companion had just heard that none of the healers you sent for could help. She had not realized the extent of Lady Rin's plight. I came as soon as she told me."
"You will bring your companion to me immediately." He commanded. As the female bowed and left a feeling overcame him. Purpose. Now he had a lead, a plan of action. He immediately felt more like himself. Helplessness had evaporated.
"Jaken."
"Yes Lord Sesshomaru?"
"Make ready a bath. This Sesshomaru, will dress."
Jaken's bulbous eyes widened and strangely, he looked pleased. What an odd creature. "Yes milord! Right away!"
As Jaken left the room Sesshomaru did something that he had not done in a very many years. He sent a silent prayer to the gods that this mystery demon could stop Rin's suffering. He could only hope they would answer.
}~{
The dawn broke over the edge of the cliff on which Sesshomaru's fortress was positioned. Dressed and ready, he would be performing a patrol of his lands for the first time in weeks. At least it would keep him busy, and he had much to contemplate.
True to her word the female servant had brought her friend to him within the hour of his command. The woman, though frightened of him and his presence, relayed all she knew about the demon that could help.
The demon, it turned out, was a demoness. The female was unsure of what exactly she was capable of but the process she performed was painless for her subject. From what the female could tell, the demoness who's name was not given, just sat quietly while the child slept and when the child awoke the dreams of terror were gone. The demoness left, not accepting any payment, and said she was glad she could help. The female knew not where the demoness went, only that she got the impression that the process took much out of her and was surprised that she demanded no compensation.
Sesshomaru had set Jaken on the task of locating the demon woman. He instructed him to locate Myoga if he must, and inquire if he knew of anything. That old flea knew much and Sesshomaru would be surprised if he didn't know of something that could help. In the meantime, he would patrol, and try to take his mind of off how unacceptable it was for him to be waiting when he should be doing something. Rin had seen him off, and said she would await his return as always. He could tell she was greatly uneasy about being left alone in the fortress with only the servants and her dreams as companions but put on a brave face. She knew he would get the aid he required. All he had to do was wait for a location, and Rin would have her relief.
}~{
'Lord Sesshomaru?'
Sesshomaru slanted his gaze towards the child in his entourage. The child that had seen barely more than eight winters sat playing idly with a flower chain she had formed. She seemed completely comfortable in his presence, something that still remained a mystery to him. And she talked to him as if he were anyone. Not a terrifying demon that had killed more beings than she would pick daisy's in her lifetime. And now, with Jaken gone with Ah-Un to gather food for her, she could talk to him without being reprimanded for insolence. Because in all honesty, Sesshomaru didn't really mind so much.
'Yes Rin.'
'Do you have dreams?'
Her questions always seemed to take him off guard. Of all the things to ask him, why would she ask him this.
'Rin has dreams.' She continued, seemingly unfazed by his lack of response. 'I like to dream. Being awake is fun too, but when I dream, Rin can fly with the fireflies and with the big white dog that's always there.'
Unable to contain it he asked, 'White dog?'
"Mmhmm.' She said nodding. 'He's always in my dreams. And he's sooooo big!' She said while stretching her arms out. 'With giant paws, and teeth and big red eyes! But I'm not afraid, because he always protects me. And we fly together when I get done chasing the fireflies. Can dogs fly Lord Sesshomaru?'
Shocked by her response it took him a moment to compose himself. 'Yes Rin. Some can.'
Sesshomaru awoke. He hadn't thought about that day in a long time. A time when Rin loved to dream. He had asked Jaken later if he had told Rin what kind of demon he was. Jaken had denied it and Sesshomaru was even more bewildered. How could she be dreaming of him if she didn't know what he looked like in true form? But she did. And she always told him of her dreams and the big white dog she called Mouyo. She had even given him a name. Now he was absent from her dreams, couldn't protect her from a time when he wasn't there.
Shaking off his melancholy, for it was unlike him to dwell on things, he glanced up at the horizon. It wouldn't be long until dawn. He would begin his journey home. Three days out he hoped, for Jaken's sake, that he would return to favorable news.
}~{
He returned to find that not only Jaken, but Myoga, Inuyasha and his brothers miko came as well. Soured by this development, despite the fact that he was a step closer to finally getting a restful nights sleep, he stalked into his study, demanding Jaken follow and report.
"I have come with favorable news milord!" Jaken stated the moment the shoji door was slid shut behind him.
"And this favorable news includes my half-brother?" He demanded, wanting an explanation on the intrusion.
"The half-breeds woman demanded to come Lord Sesshomaru. Her worry over Rin being the reason."
Sesshomaru contemplated that. Rin had stayed with the human woman for a period of time. He, having thought the child better off, had left her in the care of the priestess Kaede. When the younger woman returned, she took over care in the elder miko's stead until Rin demanded to be returned to him. It made sense that the woman would care for his charge. He could not begrudge her the right to his wards safety and wellbeing so he would say nothing.
"What were your findings Jaken?"
"The demon female is quite talented in the ways of the mind milord." Myoga interrupted.
Jaken groused at the elder demon, not to be out done he added, "She travels wide, across the world to help cases such as Rin's. She is currently far away in the mainland but I have sent word to her to come immediately to our aid. According to her vassal, she should be returning to Japan within the next moon cycle."
Another month then. Rin would have to suffer another moon.
"That is if she decides to aid you milord." Myoga chimed in.
"And why would she not?" Sesshomaru asked, his attention fully caught.
"It is quite a strain on her. Her vassal didn't provide any details as to why but apparently the female suffers in her profession which is why she does not advertise her abilities. She helps those who need it the most." Myoga informed him sagely.
"Are you implying that my wards plight is not of importance?" He growled out, narrowing his eyes on the old flea.
"N-n-n-no Lord Sesshomaru. I'm just saying that she may not see it that way." He screeched while ducking behinds Jaken's collar.
"Then this Sesshomaru will have to use other means to force her aid."
Jaken and Myoga both leaned away from him, fully aware of his methods in promoting cooperation. The female, for her sake, had better agree to help.
