Chapter 2: Eyes in the Forest
The days among Sesshomaru were enjoyable. Strict, but nevertheless enjoyable. We traveled along the land, stopping so often at rivers where we would stay and Sesshomaru usually disappeared. Rin and I would fish and though I constantly asked her if she would like me to get her a deer, she would refuse outright. I had a feeling she didn't want me to leave for too long, fearing I'd never return. I understood the feeling that people were merely temporary in life and the hurt that resulted when they left was far more painful than any wound. Rin was an orphan like me, so I could sympathize with her silent wish for company.
Rin, however, had a talent for flattery. She would sometimes speak nonstop about 'Lord Sesshomaru'. She would go on and on about his plans of a grand empire. About how he would exceed the powers of those demons below him and become the most powerful in the known world. She also explained his revenge against one whose name was Naraku.
I found these long stretches of endless obsequiousness unnecessary and plainly dull. There was no doubt that Sesshomaru was a great demon, perhaps the best (as Rin put it). There wasn't even much tension between Sesshomaru and me. I would sit with Rin and he would go about his business, whatever that may have been. He spoke very little, stopping every now and then to ask if we behaved or, to me especially, if Rin had behaved. I would answer with as little of words I could muster. Sesshomaru tended to like that about me. I wasn't much for conversation with him and when I did speak, I let the second party say more. I was a listener, an observer and that is where my strength was held. And though Jaken and Rin prattled on about Sesshomaru's great achievements, I knew in my mind that he was loving it when it did happen to find his ears.
One night as I was lying around, nodding off after an extra long journey, I spotted something strange. Now I couldn't be sure what I saw, but the sheer extravagance of this sighting would be something to discuss, even if only illusionary. As I had said, I was nodding off under the shelter of the trees limbs, Rin sleeping soundly among the roots. I was just about to close my eyes when I spotted something peculiar. I tried to fight my heavy lids from falling, but the dry air was making them water and that distorted the picture even more. I blinked once or twice to clear my eyes when I saw Lord Sesshomaru. Perhaps he thought me asleep or just about. I hadn't the strength to move so I leaned limply against the trunk of the tree. He, though, walked closer to where we lay and then he stopped. He looked over the scene and I remembered thinking that there must have been something behind us at the time because I don't think he would have looked at us so intently without a good reason. But a demon never came and he kept staring, eyes focused smartly on me. I tried to shrink in embarrassment, but then the single most significant thing occurred and I could have sworn it truly happened. Lord Sesshomaru smiled. I remembered it perfectly and it scared me a bit. But as I tried to focus again, the smile held no ill will. The mouth wasn't strained like I thought it should have been and he showed no teeth. It was as subtle as any other emotion he chose to convey. It looked natural on his face and it appeared so real that I could still feel myself fighting the sleep to still see through my slit-eyes, but the next moment I remembered was Rin snuggling against my arm and Sesshomaru had long gone.
These days were the best of my life. Sesshomaru stopped by, acting like apart of our group more than he had, and Rin was always around. I couldn't have asked for a better family outside my own. But like all good things, they never do last. This picturesque scene started its downfall. It began with Rin's special request.
I was lying lazily, gazing at the sky and Rin was sitting behind me. She must have seen something because she very urgently said she would be right back and raced off into the trees. I told her to stay close and continued to watch the clouds above. Thinking of nothing really. Then I heard footsteps cutting through the lawn. I turned my head and there was Rin shuffling over. I sat up alarmed at her guilty looking face, picturing a mistake she had made that would need explaining to Sesshomaru in the future. Instead she had this to say:
"Lin?"
"Yes?" I asked.
"You know our food for today?"
"I thought we would fish like usual," I sighed. "Did you catch something when you left?"
"No," was her reply and turned back to the sky.
"Then what about our food?"
"Yes. Well, I was wondering if you would get us deer like you've asked before."
This surprised me. I shifted my weight and leaned against my arms, swinging my legs to my side and looked at her intently. "You mean that you would like me to hunt for you?"
"Well only for today. You did ask."
I smiled. "Rin, I would be happy to. Would you like me to go now so that I have plenty of time to get the biggest deer I can?" I stretched my arms out to indicate the size.
"Yes, please!" she piped up.
"Alright, tell Sesshomaru and Jaken where I've gone if they need me for any reason."
"I will." She replied and I soon found myself upon Serena, looking for the perfect spot to hunt. Though Serena had the sense of direction, she couldn't predict how fickle the deer would be and as soon as she landed they scattered and I was to search on my own.
I commanded Serena to look around as she wished and I was alone to my business. I patted the sword at my side, but I had to admit that a bow and arrow would have been much more useful. However, the hours flew by and I had little luck. It would be a big disappointment if I didn't bring anything back so I stopped to rest at a nearby stream to gather my strength. I detached my sword, still in its sheath, from my side and placed it gently down. I crouched low to the trickling water, drinking a bit and humming softly to myself. I let the liquid run down my throat and as the water cleared it, my voice rose from a hum to a soothing vocalization as I let nature's impression take over me. I had always been drawn to singing. Where my sword skills had always lacked, I could always carry a tune every since I was little. I suppose I was always destined to have some talent.
That's when I heard the noise from behind. I felt for my sword at my side only to remember at that instant that I had removed it to be able to bend down low into the stream.
I groped the ledge of caked mud, grasping my fair share of twigs and leaves when I finally found my sword. I dragged it slowly down to my side, having it ready to strike if necessary. Then as the silence continued the noise came back and out stepped a rather large buck. It lowered its head and it sniffed the air. I hadn't any idea why it came so I figured the only reason was my singing. Perhaps having a comforting affect on animals as well. I started to hum a few notes and the buck's ears rotated as it lifted its head. It was so tall that I stumbled over a couple a notes but the intent was there. I think it only cared for the attempt at soothing.
Well, as I hummed louder, but with a soft quality, the buck moved closer. I stepped forward and I knew that the moment was coming to strike. Stretching the opportunity any longer would be foolish, so I prepared myself. I kept my eyes forward as I grasped the sword in both hands and lifted it slightly. The deer kept posed as a statue, enthralled by my pure vocalization. The time had come and with one swift movement my sword hacked at the side of its muscular neck. It went wild for a time, kicking wildly as I loosened the sword from its wound. I went after the neck a second time once I grasped my weapon firmly. I seemed to have cut in the right place for the body still shook and jerked, but the brain was no longer in control. I watched as the animal crumbled over its legs and ceased to exist. I was happy to have something to produce Rin and Jaken when I got back and even though it was a life I took; I couldn't help but smile at my achievement. I began stripping the hide away, slicing stripes from the carcass and placing them into my rucksack.
I was working quickly, as fast as I could, when another noise escaped the tranquility of the forest. I looked up from my work and brushed my forearm across my brow. My skin was stained with blood as I began my task again when the rustle became louder. I decided, though wasting a lot of meat that I had enough for us all and began to walk back in the direction of Serena. I heard a new noise now and it was that of feet, human or demon, I didn't know. My quickened steps betrayed me as I crunched every leaf in my path and I began to panic, but didn't dare call for Serena in fear that I would give my location away. I only wished to run into her. The noise seemed to stop and I calmed my steps a bit and walked strained but sure. That's when I saw Him.
He was partially hidden in the shadow of an unusually dark patch of forest. His white skin glistened slightly in contrast with his surroundings. I couldn't make out most of his features then except for a pair of radiant red eyes. What was he doing and if he was what I thought he was I hadn't a chance. I tried to walk diagonally away from him when he chuckled slightly to himself. I glanced at him through the breaks in the trees, but he didn't allow me much to study. It appeared that he had moved, but still posed in the same way. He was standing next to a tree, not quite straight, but leaning to one side. Tall as he was, I was only interested in the arcane eyes he possessed.
I gathered my courage.
"May I ask if you need anything sir?" I called.
His eyes darted across my figure and I felt horrible, not at all like how Sesshomaru had been searching for something. I felt desecrated soon after his first glimpse and at a disadvantage from then on. But without hesitation, I addressed him again.
"Is there something you want, sir?" I asked, stuttering in fright.
"Yes," he answered.
"Yes? I can help you with something?"
"No, you did not ask me if I needed help. I'm quite capable of helping myself," he said with a deep voice, low and cool. He advanced forward and I stepped back.
"Then what is it you want?" My voice was practically jumping once he came into the light. What was his face to me? Was it beautiful, handsome? Grotesque? I couldn't pin it directly what was strange about him, but I forced my eyes to meet his and they shone with an emotion I remembered the nameless bandits had produced towards me.
"You," he said when my reaction had delighted him further.
"Huh?" I said. It didn't really register.
"I saw how ruthlessly you slaughtered that deer."
"How do you know it was ruthlessly done?" I posed and began reaching for the hilt.
"No, no weapons, my dear. You'll find that they are rather pointless when dealing with me."
His words didn't change the progression I made for my sword, swaying a bit from walking backwards through the maze of trees.
"I really would think about regarding my words. They could spare your life if you're lucky."
I conceded and let my hand fall to my side. He smirked with pleasure that I had obeyed him and he continued forward.
"Good girl," he said and I shivered.
"Answer me!" I yelled after I had found my voice. "What makes you think it was ruthless."
He grinned evilly. "Why you lulled it to you. You innocently drew it near, using its gentle nature to your advantage, and at its most vulnerable moment, you struck it down." His grin was still plastered on as he said this.
"So what if I did. I felt bad for it." At that instant I realized I hadn't found sympathy for the living creature. I was too busy fulfilling Rin's preference. He must have found an untold answer on my face because he laughed darkly again and made his point to cross the large gap I had made between us.
"Come, come with me," he said as he drew near. He reached for my wrist, like Rin had many times, but his nails clawed into my skin.
"AH!" I yelled in anguish. I looked up with the tears of pain in my eyes and I saw his smirk still there. Still displayed in all its malevolent confidence. I wanted to cause him pain, to see it across his face other than this ridiculous smile. I yanked my arm back, slipping my small hands through his nails. I thought I saw a frown take over, but I ran faster than I could reach a conclusion on anything else.
I flew through the forest in zigzag formation screaming at the top of my lungs, "Serena! Serena!"
I didn't know if I was moving too fast for her to figure out where I was but I didn't want to stop. I was frightened. More frightened than the bandits I had repressed, more frightened than Sesshomaru the first time I felt small against him. I'd give anything for them. I was wheezing, trying to retrieve enough air to keep moving when I grasped that the air had become thinner or less pure. I couldn't catch my breath and I looked to the sky, still attempting to contact Serena, but it was no use.
I fell to my knees, crumbling under my body like the deer had. My mind wasn't in control of my body, but it was dashing through memories and that was flashes that I couldn't forget. I could see my family around the floor talking, I could see the ruins of my village, I could see the bandits in pursuit of me, I could see the black, winged horses going in for the kill on my Serena, I saw Rin run from a boar demon, I saw Rin smile, and Rin playing and most of all I saw Sesshomaru on that one illusionary night. His smile warm. Then my memory became dark and I saw the face of my attacker, my conqueror- Naraku. I knew the name instantly. I could have sworn I had no idea who he was, but the name nearly overpowered me further on that cold floor.
What was this heavy feeling? Was this dying? It was nice. Maybe only sleep?
I couldn't be sure, but I was on the floor, engulfed in thick smog searching for someone to help. Searching for Serena's hooves or Sesshomaru's aura. Where would this end? Today was what I could only hope. There was no tomorrow if not with my surrogate family, broken and imperfect as it was, it was close enough. I wanted nothing more than to see, to feel their presence, but instead I felt the pointed hands latch themselves onto my wrists and strong arms tighten around my waist and I blacked out. I couldn't fight the intense onset of unconsciousness a second longer. I saw the light surface just before it all went as black as pitch.
