Chapter 1: The Girl Who Stirred His Soul
The forest was very silent...very still. No creature moved or even dared breathe as he was felt walking through the forest. His light steps were barley heard, as though he never made them, but the creatures knew, without a doubt, that he was there. He wore a kimono of white with red sakura flowers painted around the collar. His chest was covered by a piece of ancient samuri armour, with a spiked shoulder strap. His kimono was tied at the waist by a yellow obi with purple sakura flowers. His long, flowing, silver hair reflected the moonlight making him seem as though he cast light into the dark. A crescent moon was painted on his forehead and there were, what looked like, purple claw marks on his forearms and face. His eyes appeared as though they were golden.
His footsteps were so light, as though he walked on air that it would be hard for anyone to tell he was carrying such a heavy heart were it not for the sorrow on his face. No branch broke under his step, no leaf crackled no sound was made at all. Along side him, (or at least never far behind) was his servant; a small toad like creature carrying a staff with both a man and woman's head engraved on the top. He followed very faithfully and never faltered. The little toad following behind finally spoke up after having endured many miles of travel without rest. "Lord Sesshoumaru," The small one said to his silver haired master, "perhaps we should rest for a while, m'lord." Sesshoumaru stopped, but did not turn to face the toad. "Perhaps we will rest, Jaken. I will be unfit to fight if I should meet Krad." Sesshoumaru then looked around to find a suitable place to rest. He noticed a large tree with its branches reaching out over a lake. The moon's rays were reflecting off the water, creating a beautiful scene. Sesshoumaru felt this was a place to rest his thoughts for the night. He began to walk toward the tree and, upon reaching it; he sat beneath it and closed his eyes. Jaken, who had followed closely behind his master, sat a few feet away under the same tree and made himself comfortable. Without any further words to one another, they both drifted to a soft slumber. When Sesshoumaru opened his eyes, he was surrounded by darkness. He could see no one and nothing. All around him was darkness. As he gazed around in the darkness, he noticed he could see his own body, as though there were a light emanating from him. He looked at his hands, and then once again into the darkness. 'Where is this place?' As he gazed into the blackness, an image began to appear. A girl appeared through the darkness. Sesshoumaru was caught a little off guard by this but proceeded to walk toward her. She was standing next to what he could now tell was the lake where the tree he was sleeping under was. The girl turned her head to look at him. She was very beautiful, and wore a blue coloured kimono with white and silver waves through it. Her hair was very short and dark which Sesshoumaru though was a little odd, but it seemed to only add to her beauty. She smiled at Sesshoumaru when her gaze met his. The smile was so genuine, so innocent, but yet there was a sorrow about it that seemed to move even Sesshoumaru's spirit. She turned slowly around to face Sesshoumaru completely. When he felt he was close enough to her, Sesshoumaru stopped. The girl held out a hand to him and, still smiling, said, "Will you help me?" Sesshoumaru did not know how to answer. "But... I'm a demon... I care nothing for others. Why would I help you?" Although Sesshoumaru had said the words he somehow knew he did not mean them and so, it appeared, did the girl. "You are the only one...the only one who can help me... please, don't keep me here in his captivity." Tears began to appear in the girls eyes, although she still smiled at Sesshoumaru and his eyes widened in disbelief of what he beheld. 'Her tears...I...I don't want to see her cry... Why are this girl's tears affecting me so badly?' The girl suddenly began to fade back into the darkness. Sesshoumaru grabbed for her hand, but she had already gone. "Wait! I know you somehow! Come back!" Suddenly Sesshoumaru, having no control over himself at all, collapsed to the floor and his eyes began to close. "No... I have to... Help her..." Then, he slept...
When Sesshoumaru awoke, the moon was still shining. He looked around for a moment, and then stood. He looked down at his hands and then at the lake. "What was that? Who was that girl?" No sooner were the words out of his mouth, did he begin to hear something in the distance. "A song?" Sesshoumaru listened as closely as he could and began running in the direction of the voice. He was running around the lake, but could not seem to find the source of the song. Finally, after running half way around the lake, something in the middle of the lake caught his eye. There seemed to be in the middle of the lake, a pillar resembling a tree, only the branches did not shoot out from the trunk. 'I can't get there. The lake is too deep." As Sesshoumaru gazed toward he middle of the lake, the water in front of him began to part, as if making a path for him to follow. Sesshoumaru looked down at the forming path, and with hardly a moment of hesitation, descended into the dispersing lake. "It's...calling me...'
As he walked closer, he began to discern a form on the tree, and without his even noticing, the song had ceased. He walked up to the tree, and as he did, his eyes opened in amazement. "It's you!" It was indeed the girl he had just seen in his dream. The branches of the tree were wrapped tightly around her arms and neck. Not enough to choke her, but enough to keep her bound to the tree for as long as one would desire. Sesshoumaru walked closer to the tree and reached out a hand to touch her, and then he stopped. 'Who would bind her to this tree? She is no demon...I can see it in her spirit...and the spell cast to keep her bound...' He looked at the branches and ran his fingers along them. As he did a look or rage crossed his face. 'This is a demons work.' He looked up on the painful expression on the girl's frail face. "Some one is keeping you here against your will. To keep you as a pet... as a posetion..." Sesshoumaru raised his hand and touched the girl's face. As he did, she flinched, which startled Sesshoumaru and he pulled his hand away, but he did not leave her. "Ugh... ohhh..." Sesshoumaru stayed silent as she regained consciousness. He was overwhelmingly intrigued by this girl and what interest a demon with power enough to do this would have in her. Most importantly however, he wanted to be with her, although he couldn't explain why. 'She's only a human. So why am I so infatuated with her? Why do I need to be here with her?' The girl slowly began to open her eyes. She raised her head slowly and saw Sesshoumaru standing in front of her. "Who..." Her voice was weak and strained and the words seemed to cut her throat as she spoke them, but she continued. "Who are..." Her head dropped again and Sesshoumaru held her head in his hands. "Don't try to speak. Whatever has you here will hear you've awoken through the branches around your neck." He stopped for a moment and took the vines around her neck in one hand and supported her face in the other. His hand burnt as he tried to tear it off, for there was a strong magic holding the branches tightly together. He endured the pain and pulled harder and harder until finally the branches gave way and fell apart. 'Someone is not willing to part with her that easily...which means she is not safe alone, but...is it wise for me to take her with me?' He pulled the remaining branches around her wrists away until she was free of her captivity. Being rendered so weak from the bondage, she could not stand on her own and began to collapse to the ground. Sesshoumaru caught her before she hit the ground. As he held her, a strange feeling came over Sesshoumaru. He took the girl in his arms and looked down at the frail life in his hands. He was so unsure of what to do with her or who she was. He carried her out of the lake where the waters had parted, and as soon as he did, the waters crashed together. He turned around and looked out for a moment at the lake that had parted for him and wondered if the girl had done it.
The girl began to stir in his arms so he directed his attention once again toward her. "Are you alright?" The girl looked up at him, still a little groggy and replied in a still straining voice. "I...I think so..." "Can you stand?" The girl shook her head and Sesshoumaru gently set her down. She was wearing the same thing she had been wearing in Sesshoumaru's dream. Sesshoumaru stood there for a moment just staring at her while she rubbed her wrists and her throat. She suddenly turned to him and took a few steps closer to him. Sesshoumaru didn't move, for he somehow invited the closeness between them that she offered. She looked about 19 or so and she looked first at him and then at the ground. "I... want to thank you..." She sounded so relieved to be free and at the same time, there was a hint of fear in her voice. Not of him, Sesshoumaru knew that, it was of whatever had trapped her there in the first place. She continued. "My name is Marina..." Sesshoumaru stood silent for a moment causing her to cast her gaze back towards him, which was somehow, what he wanted. "I am Sesshoumaru...you need not thank me..." He turned around and walked to the lakes edge where he stood silent once again. Marina looked at him and remained silent as well. She could tell he was looking for the words for something, so she dared not speak. 'What was that feeling that came over me when I held her? What is it I need in her?' He looked down at his hands for a moment. 'Why do I care for her?' Sesshoumaru lowered his hands again.
He slowly turned again to face Marina. She was still staring and him in awe. Sesshoumaru was smiling inside from the look on her face as he ran his fingers through his hair. He walked over to her, slowly, and spoke to her in a way as not to scare her, although it seemed, despite Sesshoumaru's appearance, she didn't fear him at all. This in itself was a surprise to Sesshoumaru. He continued. "Where are you from?" Marina's face turned to a look of deep sorrow. She looked to the ground and held her hands by her side. It wouldn't matter...even if I told you... I can't go back..." Marina's hands had then clenched tightly into fists. "He would find me. My being there would endanger my village. I can't let that happen." Sesshoumaru looked a little puzzled. Where was this girl from? What kind of demon was after her, and why? Sesshoumaru looked more serious now as he continued. "Who was the demon that bound you to that tree?" Marina lifted her gaze back to Sesshoumaru's golden eyes. She saw such sadness in those eyes. "I... I don't know. He had long, blonde hair, and empty eyes. He seemed so empty inside..." She looked so sad as she spoke about the man who had captured her. Sesshoumaru turned his head to look at the lake again. He didn't want Marina to leave him. "Come with me...I'll keep you safe..." Marina's eyes shot up in amazement as Sesshoumaru gazed unstirred, at the lake. Her eyes softened and a soft smile crossed her face. For some reason, she prayed inside that she would not have to leave his side. "If you would have me with you..." She began, almost trembling, which Sesshoumaru could hear in her soft spoken words, "Then nothing would make me happier." Sesshoumaru turned to her in surprise of her answer. A soft expression then rested on his face. "Then, you'll come with me. I'll keep you safe from the demon who imprisoned you. I give you my word." Sesshoumaru stood now in silence as the calm water gently rippled on the lake. Marina said nothing to break his enchanted silence. The only sound she made was a gentle whisper. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru. You truly are my angel."
The forest was very silent...very still. No creature moved or even dared breathe as he was felt walking through the forest. His light steps were barley heard, as though he never made them, but the creatures knew, without a doubt, that he was there. He wore a kimono of white with red sakura flowers painted around the collar. His chest was covered by a piece of ancient samuri armour, with a spiked shoulder strap. His kimono was tied at the waist by a yellow obi with purple sakura flowers. His long, flowing, silver hair reflected the moonlight making him seem as though he cast light into the dark. A crescent moon was painted on his forehead and there were, what looked like, purple claw marks on his forearms and face. His eyes appeared as though they were golden.
His footsteps were so light, as though he walked on air that it would be hard for anyone to tell he was carrying such a heavy heart were it not for the sorrow on his face. No branch broke under his step, no leaf crackled no sound was made at all. Along side him, (or at least never far behind) was his servant; a small toad like creature carrying a staff with both a man and woman's head engraved on the top. He followed very faithfully and never faltered. The little toad following behind finally spoke up after having endured many miles of travel without rest. "Lord Sesshoumaru," The small one said to his silver haired master, "perhaps we should rest for a while, m'lord." Sesshoumaru stopped, but did not turn to face the toad. "Perhaps we will rest, Jaken. I will be unfit to fight if I should meet Krad." Sesshoumaru then looked around to find a suitable place to rest. He noticed a large tree with its branches reaching out over a lake. The moon's rays were reflecting off the water, creating a beautiful scene. Sesshoumaru felt this was a place to rest his thoughts for the night. He began to walk toward the tree and, upon reaching it; he sat beneath it and closed his eyes. Jaken, who had followed closely behind his master, sat a few feet away under the same tree and made himself comfortable. Without any further words to one another, they both drifted to a soft slumber. When Sesshoumaru opened his eyes, he was surrounded by darkness. He could see no one and nothing. All around him was darkness. As he gazed around in the darkness, he noticed he could see his own body, as though there were a light emanating from him. He looked at his hands, and then once again into the darkness. 'Where is this place?' As he gazed into the blackness, an image began to appear. A girl appeared through the darkness. Sesshoumaru was caught a little off guard by this but proceeded to walk toward her. She was standing next to what he could now tell was the lake where the tree he was sleeping under was. The girl turned her head to look at him. She was very beautiful, and wore a blue coloured kimono with white and silver waves through it. Her hair was very short and dark which Sesshoumaru though was a little odd, but it seemed to only add to her beauty. She smiled at Sesshoumaru when her gaze met his. The smile was so genuine, so innocent, but yet there was a sorrow about it that seemed to move even Sesshoumaru's spirit. She turned slowly around to face Sesshoumaru completely. When he felt he was close enough to her, Sesshoumaru stopped. The girl held out a hand to him and, still smiling, said, "Will you help me?" Sesshoumaru did not know how to answer. "But... I'm a demon... I care nothing for others. Why would I help you?" Although Sesshoumaru had said the words he somehow knew he did not mean them and so, it appeared, did the girl. "You are the only one...the only one who can help me... please, don't keep me here in his captivity." Tears began to appear in the girls eyes, although she still smiled at Sesshoumaru and his eyes widened in disbelief of what he beheld. 'Her tears...I...I don't want to see her cry... Why are this girl's tears affecting me so badly?' The girl suddenly began to fade back into the darkness. Sesshoumaru grabbed for her hand, but she had already gone. "Wait! I know you somehow! Come back!" Suddenly Sesshoumaru, having no control over himself at all, collapsed to the floor and his eyes began to close. "No... I have to... Help her..." Then, he slept...
When Sesshoumaru awoke, the moon was still shining. He looked around for a moment, and then stood. He looked down at his hands and then at the lake. "What was that? Who was that girl?" No sooner were the words out of his mouth, did he begin to hear something in the distance. "A song?" Sesshoumaru listened as closely as he could and began running in the direction of the voice. He was running around the lake, but could not seem to find the source of the song. Finally, after running half way around the lake, something in the middle of the lake caught his eye. There seemed to be in the middle of the lake, a pillar resembling a tree, only the branches did not shoot out from the trunk. 'I can't get there. The lake is too deep." As Sesshoumaru gazed toward he middle of the lake, the water in front of him began to part, as if making a path for him to follow. Sesshoumaru looked down at the forming path, and with hardly a moment of hesitation, descended into the dispersing lake. "It's...calling me...'
As he walked closer, he began to discern a form on the tree, and without his even noticing, the song had ceased. He walked up to the tree, and as he did, his eyes opened in amazement. "It's you!" It was indeed the girl he had just seen in his dream. The branches of the tree were wrapped tightly around her arms and neck. Not enough to choke her, but enough to keep her bound to the tree for as long as one would desire. Sesshoumaru walked closer to the tree and reached out a hand to touch her, and then he stopped. 'Who would bind her to this tree? She is no demon...I can see it in her spirit...and the spell cast to keep her bound...' He looked at the branches and ran his fingers along them. As he did a look or rage crossed his face. 'This is a demons work.' He looked up on the painful expression on the girl's frail face. "Some one is keeping you here against your will. To keep you as a pet... as a posetion..." Sesshoumaru raised his hand and touched the girl's face. As he did, she flinched, which startled Sesshoumaru and he pulled his hand away, but he did not leave her. "Ugh... ohhh..." Sesshoumaru stayed silent as she regained consciousness. He was overwhelmingly intrigued by this girl and what interest a demon with power enough to do this would have in her. Most importantly however, he wanted to be with her, although he couldn't explain why. 'She's only a human. So why am I so infatuated with her? Why do I need to be here with her?' The girl slowly began to open her eyes. She raised her head slowly and saw Sesshoumaru standing in front of her. "Who..." Her voice was weak and strained and the words seemed to cut her throat as she spoke them, but she continued. "Who are..." Her head dropped again and Sesshoumaru held her head in his hands. "Don't try to speak. Whatever has you here will hear you've awoken through the branches around your neck." He stopped for a moment and took the vines around her neck in one hand and supported her face in the other. His hand burnt as he tried to tear it off, for there was a strong magic holding the branches tightly together. He endured the pain and pulled harder and harder until finally the branches gave way and fell apart. 'Someone is not willing to part with her that easily...which means she is not safe alone, but...is it wise for me to take her with me?' He pulled the remaining branches around her wrists away until she was free of her captivity. Being rendered so weak from the bondage, she could not stand on her own and began to collapse to the ground. Sesshoumaru caught her before she hit the ground. As he held her, a strange feeling came over Sesshoumaru. He took the girl in his arms and looked down at the frail life in his hands. He was so unsure of what to do with her or who she was. He carried her out of the lake where the waters had parted, and as soon as he did, the waters crashed together. He turned around and looked out for a moment at the lake that had parted for him and wondered if the girl had done it.
The girl began to stir in his arms so he directed his attention once again toward her. "Are you alright?" The girl looked up at him, still a little groggy and replied in a still straining voice. "I...I think so..." "Can you stand?" The girl shook her head and Sesshoumaru gently set her down. She was wearing the same thing she had been wearing in Sesshoumaru's dream. Sesshoumaru stood there for a moment just staring at her while she rubbed her wrists and her throat. She suddenly turned to him and took a few steps closer to him. Sesshoumaru didn't move, for he somehow invited the closeness between them that she offered. She looked about 19 or so and she looked first at him and then at the ground. "I... want to thank you..." She sounded so relieved to be free and at the same time, there was a hint of fear in her voice. Not of him, Sesshoumaru knew that, it was of whatever had trapped her there in the first place. She continued. "My name is Marina..." Sesshoumaru stood silent for a moment causing her to cast her gaze back towards him, which was somehow, what he wanted. "I am Sesshoumaru...you need not thank me..." He turned around and walked to the lakes edge where he stood silent once again. Marina looked at him and remained silent as well. She could tell he was looking for the words for something, so she dared not speak. 'What was that feeling that came over me when I held her? What is it I need in her?' He looked down at his hands for a moment. 'Why do I care for her?' Sesshoumaru lowered his hands again.
He slowly turned again to face Marina. She was still staring and him in awe. Sesshoumaru was smiling inside from the look on her face as he ran his fingers through his hair. He walked over to her, slowly, and spoke to her in a way as not to scare her, although it seemed, despite Sesshoumaru's appearance, she didn't fear him at all. This in itself was a surprise to Sesshoumaru. He continued. "Where are you from?" Marina's face turned to a look of deep sorrow. She looked to the ground and held her hands by her side. It wouldn't matter...even if I told you... I can't go back..." Marina's hands had then clenched tightly into fists. "He would find me. My being there would endanger my village. I can't let that happen." Sesshoumaru looked a little puzzled. Where was this girl from? What kind of demon was after her, and why? Sesshoumaru looked more serious now as he continued. "Who was the demon that bound you to that tree?" Marina lifted her gaze back to Sesshoumaru's golden eyes. She saw such sadness in those eyes. "I... I don't know. He had long, blonde hair, and empty eyes. He seemed so empty inside..." She looked so sad as she spoke about the man who had captured her. Sesshoumaru turned his head to look at the lake again. He didn't want Marina to leave him. "Come with me...I'll keep you safe..." Marina's eyes shot up in amazement as Sesshoumaru gazed unstirred, at the lake. Her eyes softened and a soft smile crossed her face. For some reason, she prayed inside that she would not have to leave his side. "If you would have me with you..." She began, almost trembling, which Sesshoumaru could hear in her soft spoken words, "Then nothing would make me happier." Sesshoumaru turned to her in surprise of her answer. A soft expression then rested on his face. "Then, you'll come with me. I'll keep you safe from the demon who imprisoned you. I give you my word." Sesshoumaru stood now in silence as the calm water gently rippled on the lake. Marina said nothing to break his enchanted silence. The only sound she made was a gentle whisper. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru. You truly are my angel."