Sesshomaru and the Songstress: Passion From Within
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Chapter Two: What Did You Expect To Find?
"Stop it! Put her down!" Rin screamed, fearing that Sesshomaru's blinding protection would ignore her pleas. Sesshoamaru, who was holding Rumana by her arms, only slightly glanced at the distressed little girl. Jaken just stood in complete confusion, wondering what Sesshomaru planned to do.
"Why do you plead for this girl?" Sesshomaru asked, still dangling Rumana in the air.
"She's the one that helped me catch all these fish! She was nice enough to guide me back through the woods. Please…put her down…she's not a bad person! I know it!"
Sesshomaru stared at her...primed to slash at her throat any moment. The young woman's eyes pleaded for mercy, it was sickening. He couldn't stand to look at her weakness.
Slowly he sat Rumana on the ground, where she began gasping for air, his hands had held her arms, but the pressure felt like he was crushing her rib cage. Completely dazed by the lack of oxygen, Rumana barely had enough strength to stand. Wobbling against a nearby tree, she angrily glanced at the wild eyed demon who assaulted her.
"What in the hell is wrong with you?!!!!"
"Please, don't anger him!" Answered Rin, who knew very well the temper her master could exhibit. Running to her side, Rin clutched onto her kimono.
"Stay away from her Rin! You don't know, she might be one of Naraku's puppets!" Jaken warned.
"Don't you dare say that about me! That damned monster's the reason I'm here!"
"Stay away from her! Come here this instant you insolent brat!" Jaken continued.
"No! Leave her alone!"
This squabbling lasted for a few minutes, until Sesshomaru had heard enough.
"I'm tired of this arguing. If she was nice enough to help you catch the food, perhaps she would be gracious enough to cook it for us all."
His cool eyes pierced her, questioning every move she made. Rumana was angered by the way she was treated, but she knew the demon was stronger than her, and that the smartest thing to do was take his offer. Nodding her head in a respectable fashion, she uneasily claimed…
"I would be extremely pleased to do so."
Although Sesshomaru was more powerful than Rumana, this did little to calm the dirty stares that emitted from her frosty green eyes. Sighing with relief, Rin grabbed Rumana's hand and showed her where they could camp and rest for the night. After setting up a proper fire, Rumana and Rin cooked the fish that they had caught. The entire time Sesshomaru watched her carefully, like a rabid dog watching vulnerable, injured prey. Dinner passed quietly, without Sesshomaru touching a bit of food. Rin however, ate greedily with no shame.
After dinner, Rin felt instantly asleep. Sesshomaru said nothing, and Jaken thought that this would be the perfect time to barrage Rumana with questions.
"So, exactly who are you?"
"Shouldn't I be the one asking you? I'm the one who was assaulted."
"You shouldn't have bothered the girl."
"I didn't bother her. She was alone out in the woods. Any creature could have hurt her."
"Oh, so you expect me to believe you did this out of kindness."
"Yes…why else?"
"I just think it's too funny that a lady such as you would be out here alone."
"It's not any of your damned business. I'm not required to tell you my life's story!"
"You mentioned that Naraku was the reason you're out here. Why is he a factor?"
"I'm not answering any more of your questions! I'll leave if that is your wish, but I will not sit here and be abused!"
As Rumana started to walk off, she felt someone gently grab her arm.
"Why don't you stay the night…there is no sense in you traveling with such little light."
It was Sesshomaru. Rumana was no fool; she knew what was in his mind. He wanted her close by so he could watch her. Distrust consumed every word of that sentence, but it was a request she knew she couldn't deny.
"Fine. But I want him to leave me alone." Rumana said, glancing down at Jaken. The little green annoyance only scowled at her, and turned his back to both of them.
Sleeping was not an easy task. Laying on the cool ground flet wonderful, but she could feel Sesshomaru's piercing eyes watching her every breath. Fear could not even begin to describe how she felt. Nervousness floated down her chest and settled in her stomach, churning and twisting her mind all through the night. She always thought that Naraku would be the end of her...but never this wild eyed stranger. Slightly rubbing her arms she realized that he had left a few nasty bruises. Why couldn't she have kept her big mouth shut? Grabbing onto her tattered blanket she nuzzled into its scent. It still smelled of home. Speaking of home...where in the hell was her new bodyguard?
********Next Morning**********
"Wake up! Come on, the day's gonna be over if you get up!" Rumana opened her eyes to Rin, who was exhuberhant to find her still there the next morning.
"I'm so glad you're here! You must stay with us! The food you cooked last night was good, and…Jaken can't cook that well…"
"I heard that! That statement is extremely disrespectful!" Rin giggled, but ran over to Jaken and attempted to hug him, but he promptly shrugged her off.
"Awww, don't be such a grump Jaken! You oughta be happy I found such a good cook!"
"She's not staying with us Rin. Lord Sesshomaru simply showed mercy on her and allowed her to sleep nearby, so she wouldn't have to travel at night."
"Don't worry, I'm leaving today. I have business of my own to attend to."
"I bet you do…probably one of Naraku's workers..."
"Enough Jaken…" Sesshomaru said, walking up behind Rumana.
"We have visitors here that are looking for you." Sesshomaru continued. Turning around, Rumana glanced behind the tall, intense demon, to see a small army of ten men dressed in elaborate robes! Ah, these were her people! These were the messenger's from her province that were supposed to bring her another body guard! Finally, she could sleep comfortably at night!
"Oh, thank you for coming! I've been waiting for your arrival for days now!"
"We apologize my Lady. There should not have been a delay."
"It does not matter. You're here now! So, who did you bring?"
"Well milady…there has been a problem."
"What problem?"
"We cannot find any volunteers to aid you."
"You WHAT? No one in my own province will aid me? They know what the situation is..."
"Why are you so special that you need a bodyguard?" Jaken asked, crossing his small arms.
"That is none of your business." Rumana replied promptly.
"We're very sorry milady..."
"Karuno, have you tried to pay anyone to do the job?"
"Yes…but no one will accept. Naraku has become far too powerful a threat."
"So your cowardice has left me to die! My parents would spit at your feet for such a disgrace!"
"My Lady, your people love you, but they are afraid."
"I have been long forgotten as it is. I should have expected this. I should have allowed him to kill me a long time ago, I would be less of a burden!"
"Oh please Rumana...don't speak like that..."
While this conversation persisted, Sesshomaru only stood back, watching and listening, weighing the pros and cons of involving himself in the situation. What could he attain from this inconvenience? Rumana, completely devastated at the cowardice of her own people, failed to notice that Sesshomaru could bode well as a guard for her. Of course, once the distressed messengers saw the handsome strong demon, they quickly offered the job.
"You…you over there! Why don't you help our dear Rumana? She is in dire need of a protector!"
"Why is she so wanted?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Naraku has…an unfavorable interest in our lady. I beg you, our resources have been depleted and we can no longer protect her. We are desperate to keep her safe...it would've have been the will of her parents. But we just...can't. Please...don't ask such a lowly messenger to elaborate any further." His desperation ran chills of excitement and possibility through Sesshomaru's body.
"There is no need. I will accept your offer."
"Oh! Wonderful! Thank you so much…here…here our payment of thanks." The messenger held out a sack filled with valuable jewels. But Sesshomaru only snuffed at it.
"That is not necessary." Sesshomaru knew that his greatest reward when he lured Naraku with the help of the displaced human, only then would his desires be quenched. Rin, realizing that Rumana would be staying on a permanent basis, jumped with absolute joy.
"You get to stay with us, this is going to be so much fun! Now I actually have a girl to talk to!"
Rumana didn't mind the company, with the exception of that wicked, white haired monster that practically crushed her to death. Even Jaken's company wasn't as uneasy as his. Young as she was...she knew that Sesshomaru had a underlying reason for helping her. But that didn't matter now. Until she able to take care of herself and harness her own inner strength, she had no other choice. If her parents were still alive there would be no problem...but with their death died a secret race only few knew. Rumana was the last remnants of their kind...oh how easy it was to be part human....
That's it for this chapter guys! If you want more, REVIEW! I WILL NOT CONTINUE IF NO ONE READS!
