Hey readers! I know it's been quite a while since I actually post on here. I have been more active an archive of our own. If you would like to see my work there, my username is besosdecanela. I wanted to start posting my new stories on here. This is the new one I thought of and started yesterday. I always love these two and well, we'll see how it goes! Please let me know what you think? Glad to be back :)
I will also try and update the ones I have on here. Sorry for all the delay, college has really been difficult and I barely have time to write. Thanks for your patience! Let me know what you think. 3
Her legs were shaking under the saddle, and sweat was pouring down her back. Her shoulders were aching as if they had been bruised from the rough road below the horse's hooves.
The young woman patted the side of her horse, Kuro, with affection. They were almost there.
The soldiers had been riding for what seemed like a century ; horse-back riding isn't as easy as it seemed.
The demon army was silent as they descended the hill down to the flat plains of the west, ever so near to their new home. Well, not 'theirs' exactly, but their Lord's.
Finally, in the distance, a large castle emerged through the trees; it was dark cerulean in color and oddly intimidating, towers emerging in every corner of the building. Tall trees masked the true size of the mansion, hiding it perfectly among the dark foliage. The traditional Japanese castle was as foreboding as its new master.
The soldiers looked up in the awe as a flash of grey lightning passed above them, almost indiscernible to the human eye. It flickered until it reached the front steps, a sound like wind emanating from it.
Lord Sesshomaru rose his neck to view his new land, and, from the arch of his brow, his soldiers could tell he was satisfied.
A shrieking voice broke the calm silence.
"M'lord! Welcome to Shigo No Sekai Castle! Is it to your liking? I made sure to -" Jaken declared, before he was interrupted.
"Gather the soldiers and lead them to their housing. No further orders; I assume they need rest," Lord Sesshomaru stated tranquilly. This was truly to his liking indeed.
"Y-yes, M'lord."
The time had come; the mighty dog Demon had finally acquired a faithful band of demon soldiers, ready to conquer at his will. His aging advisors, Hikari and Yami, had followed him , powerful demon sorcerers from the east. Jaken was forever at his side, albeit annoyingly, and A-Un followed close behind. A few lesser demons had happily pledged their loyalties to the Lord along the years, knowing they had better chances of survival under a powerful lord. They had been chosen as the new servants and workers of the castle.
Everything was going according to the dog demons vision, decades in the making.
He had acquired this abandoned castle, some time ago by its weak human Lord Hirunaka. The band had battled alongside their Leader to acquire the land and eliminate any resistance from the surrounding areas; a mighty battle it was.
The dog demon had never been greedy, but this castle had called to him the moment his golden eyes had seen it.
Master Hikari, the younger of the sorcerers,broke Lord Sesshomaru's thoughts. He clasp his hands in front of him, his whitening hair tied in a short braid.
"My Lord, is there anything that you require? Your home awaits. You need not trouble yourself with us, we will accommodate ourselves", the sorcerer declared.
"I require quiet. From everyone, and for this night."
It had been quite a journey; he was, of course, not truly tired in the weak sense, but he did not want to be bothered. He must meditate, alone, with no disturbances.
The main commander of the army, the wolf demon Umi, took control of his soldiers.
"Men! Follow Master Jaken to your new quarters. No trouble, ya year?" The tall demon stated, his black hair swaying with the movements of his horse below him.
The band muttered their acceptances, grateful to have some rest. They still had provisions from the journey left that would suffice them for the next few days.
The band of soldiers dissipated toward the right of the castle where the warriors would live, while the advisors, Umi, and a few servants followed Sesshomaru into the imposing building. The Dog demon suddenly stopped before going any further.
"Rin. With me."
The young woman on the black horse rose her head as she heard her name. She was clad in a traditional Miko dress, but he bottom of the flowing garb was of an emerald color, accentuating the amber of her eyes and hair. Her long hair was clasped into a high ponytail, a single long braid falling behind her ear.
The young woman had grown into a beautiful and powerful priestess; she had learned intensively thanks to the training of Kagome and Kaede of the small village where she spent her adolescent years.
Since she was not born with the natural ability to sense spirit energy, Rin had worked arduously to learn how to increase her spiritual power and become a trained archer.
Although she was barely eighteen years of age, she was a force in the battlefield; Rin had helped to purify and heal the wounded, all while killing any enemies that came her way.
Yet, it did not matter how skilled she might be. Sesshomaru kept her close at all times, for her safety.
The soldiers were his men, however, he did not trust their gazes. On the other hand, the demons knew the human was important to their Lord, whether the lord would admit it or not.
Perhaps some thought the human was a weakness of the dog demon, but they would never date utter those words. Nor would they ever cost trouble for Rin either , as beautiful and tempting as she was.
They wouldn't dare touch her; death would be their consequence.
The young woman dismounted her horse, her legs almost buckling beneath her. A soldier helped her down. She adjusted the strap of her quiver and ran toward her Lord.
They walked inside the main waiting room, lavishly decorated in marble statues and crystal lanterns. The room divided into three walkways, the left and right hallways leading to the countless rooms, gardens and corridors. A large wooden staircase greeting them, leading gracefully to the second floor, where the Lord's quarters would be.
Lord Sesshomaru stopped in his tracks, his followers stopping with him. They waited. The lord smelled the air, smelling any traces of enemies or energy.
There was a faint smell of an aura, perhaps malicious in its time. Lord Sesshomaru did not take any chances.
Yami, the older advisor, spoke softly.
"My lord, is something the matter?", he asked solemnly, fidgeting with his long braid. His fangs bit his lips as his nerves were getting the best of him.
Everyone waited patiently. Rin was the last inside the main waiting room, her face struck in awe. She had never seen such a stunning yet scary place. She peaked at the left corridor, seeing it lead to a garden. She reminded herself to make sure to explore when she had the chance.
His stern voice broke the wait.
"Rin."
He called her again, this time, with a different tone in his voice. The young woman walked shyly toward the front, somewhat expecting what he needed. The advisors glanced at each other, waiting.
There was spirit energy still left in the castle. Lord Sesshomaru would be cautious.
"Do you feel it?"
His question was towards the young priestess. She looked upon him, eyeing him respectfully. Yes, she could feel that strange aura, although small and withering. Other times she would not have marked it as dangerous, but she could tell he was being careful. He would not have anyone nor any enemy entering this castle, dead or living.
"I do, My lord. Weak, but it's there."
He did not have to command any other action; her training had already told her what to do in such situations.
Secretly, Rin looked forward to these moments; if she was going to be useful to her Lord, she wanted to prove it. As many times as it takes for the feeling of uselessness to disappear.
And she would not appear weak before these demons.
"Yes, my lord. Let's see..."
The young woman walked toward the center of the immense room. The demons followed her steps, watching her every move. They had seen this ritual before; nevertheless, it was a sight to behold.
Rin closed her eyes softly, breathing deeply the smell of dust, dried flowers, and finally, the sweet smell of spirit. She could not locate it exactly , but it was here, spread through the walls and crevices.
The young woman reached into her dress; her hands found the sacred prayer sheets folded gently into the crevice of her blouse. Rin took out one, hiding the others back into her Miko dress.
With one hand stretched beside her, her right hand held the paper against her lips. What started as a quiet prayer emerged from her mouth with ferocity.
The demons watched with fascination as her words echoed throughout the castle. Suddenly, a burst of green light shined from the paper, covering the young woman completely.
A wind burst through the air, her long hair blowing and glowing stunningly with the light.
The Lord watched silently, countenance ilegible. Yet, there was a gleam of pride in his eyes.
Quickly, the light radiated stronger from the priestess until the room flowed with it entirely.
"Begone!"
Rin declared with vigor.
The light ran through the corridors and outward through the windows.
After a few moments of silence, and a couple of awes coming from the servants, Hikari spoke.
"Rin, that was the most powerful cleansing yet! You're getting stronger, dear," the old demon proclaimed kindly. The servants nodded in agreement.
Sesshomaru stayed silent and smelled the air; the familiar scent had disappeared.
Indeed.
She had become powerful.
He placed a hand softly on her shoulder.
This shook her out of her daze. The young woman looked upon her lord as he smiled gently. A smile of gratitude.
Rin couldn't help smile back. Her radiance shown through as her lips curved gleefully.
The sudden ache shook her like lightning. Her back was throbbing painfully.
She must rest, for the ritual must had taken too much out of her weak state.
She stumbled, her mind becoming foggy.
Sesshomaru reacted immediately; he supported her back while his other arm held hers. He did not show it , but worry passed through his fair features.
"It's fine, I'm fine, my lord. Just some rest might do me some good..."
Rin said. She smiled weakly at her Lord.
"Take her to her quarters and prepare her bed. Give her water, food if she prefers," Sesshomaru commanded to the female servants. In seconds they came to her side, helping her toward the left corridor.
"Thank you, my lord."
Rin said quietly as a tall cat demon took her hand.
Sesshomaru watched as the servants guided her out of his sight.
Strange; he could have sworn he had smelled her blood.