Chapter 2

Her affection for the Lord

Sesshomaru's POV

Her scent…it covered the entire area…I felt her presence sweep through every blade of grass. This was where she had stumbled upon me…astounding me with her fearless behaviour and her annoying persistence in caring for me when it was not necessary. It was here she smiled at me for the first time when I asked about the bruises on her face. Jaken inched closer into the glade, drinking in the surroundings; he could most likely smell her too.

"My Lord…she smells so close! I thought we left her back at the castle under the protection of the shaman?" he spoke…how his voice irritated me.

I would not dignify that with an answer, I stood centre of the clearing…I could feel her all around me…this was the place where she began her fondness for me as a child, the day I became her guardian. From the sky there came a twinkle…the shard floated down and found its way home to my palm.

Jaken watched in amazement as the shadows from the past returned and surrounded us. Every moment Rin and I shared was played before us from the moment she and I met. The time she was searching for a cure for Jaken's poison and fell from a cliff, in a flash of flight I caught her. Both times she awoke from death in my arms. It was all played out before us till the last moment I saw her at sixteen. We stood in the forest, a breeze flowing through her midnight tresses…she wore the newest Kimono I gave her, orange and yellow…my favourite colours on her. I watched the scene play on, not particularly caring that Jaken would see it also;

"Rin…why are you sad?" I asked, I was standing close to my sixteen year old ward, her eyes were down cast and hidden by her long lashes, placing my finger underneath her chin, I lifted her face...forcing her to look upon me. Through her eyes I could practically read her thoughts, I repeated "why?"

Her amber eyes glimmered unhappily, "My lord…must I wait another two years for you to return?" she asked woefully.

"You clearly need more time to grow Rin" I answered, "I can tell you are still uncertain of what you want…you wait for something other than me" I didn't need to ask what she waited for, I already had an inkling what or rather who it was.

Rin did not deny this, "Can you not just tell me what I want? Can't you tell me what to do and how I should live? Tell me that my place is with you…tell me it's not worth waiting for anything or anyone else…tell me I'm yours and I will obey…I will serve you forever my lord and I will life as you tell me, because you are the one who gave me back a life to live".

I burned my gold eyes upon her, connecting with hers that now brimmed with tears, I was still holding her chin. I released her face and began walking away…she was devoted to me, that was certain but till I deemed her an appropriate age she would remain here with humans. "See you in two years" were my last words to her….

Jaken was speechless, as the memory faded we were shown the next destination…she had by now received her memories of me up till this point and regained her feelings for me and most likely her memories of that priestess who practically raised her in my stead. She would remember every ordeal and the people she had met when with either me or the priestess till her eighteenth birthday. The next resting place of a shard was in her first village, the one she had fled from…the place her family was killed. I looked down at my hand…the shard shot away…the shaman told me this would happen, I was unsurprised.

I began walking towards my next destination, Jaken stood speechless for a moment like a complete fool, till he realised I was moving on without him.

"My lord wait for me!" he cried.

Shaman's POV

Another shard returned….it was her affection and memories of Sesshomaru and all other involved in the time she spent with him. She was now almost complete. If she were to awake now, the only things she would not be able to recall is her family's death or that boy Kohaku, nor all the friends she had recently made in her recent travels. She would be no more than an eighteen year old woman who eagerly served the dog demon lord almost to the point of obsession.

A small childlike smile touched her face "L-lord Sesshomaru…" she uttered. Don't wake just yet my dear…that would make things very complicated.

Kohaku's POV

"We're too late!" I roared my fist meeting the bark of a tree, my friends watched on sadly, I turned to the two fox demons that accompanied me "Are you sure he was here? Are you sure there was a shard".

Suzu shifted uncomfortably and looked at Shippo telepathically asking him to break the news, he nodded "yes…his scent is all over here…as is Rin's…it's like what Suzu smelt at the grave…also"

He didn't need to go on, I knew what he was going to say and instead I said it for him "the emotion it contains lingers…Suzu and Norio could feel her love for Kaede, now…we all feel her… sentiments, for Sesshomaru!" I scraped my fingers angrily down the bark, feeling what she felt for him…the devotion, the longing to be beside him...it made me sick! The only comfort was that it didn't feel romantic. She didn't seem to love him in a romantic sense…then again; her feelings for him were always so much more superior than that, they had an entire category of their own it would seem.

Suzu came to me and laid her hand on my shoulder, "all is not lost" she whispered, "we don't seem to be far behind and we can follow his scent to the next shard…don't give up Kohaku, not when there's still a chance! We've each found one shard…he's not ahead of us yet!"

I spun round and unintentionally glowered at them, I couldn't contain the overwhelming emotion inside me, the rage, the jealousy, the sadness! "Why didn't we find a shard at the place she and I kissed for the first time? The shard that holds all her feelings and memories of me! What if Sesshomaru has already destroyed it so that she can never remember me?"

Norio, who had remained unusually quiet for the most part "well, may be its because she fell for you before the kiss…do you know the exact moment she fell for you? I don't think it was as instant as the time she began caring for her lord".

How the hell was I to know she never told me! I was too overcome with internal torture to answer, I just shook my head in despair. Shippo sighed "guess all we can do is follow Sesshomaru…maybe that's where the shard is...we should get there as soon as we can, I wouldn't put it passed Sesshomaru to destroy it so that she won't remember you…he's still after all these years…ruthless".

It was all we could do now, I had to keep that hope there…it was strange, I had travelled with Sesshomaru in my youth, never did I suspect he and I would rivals. At one point I'd have followed him anywhere also, I trusted him with my life! I joined him in the underworld when we went after Rin…I was given the opportunity to escape but turned it down, because I was loyal to him and knew he would save us. He and I had the same goal…there was no villain in this, there was no one really to destroy…but I was willing to, I would willingly destroy him now if it would mean I could have Rin! I jumped on Kirara who mewed with sympathy; the others barely said a word the entire time.

The others were tired, their eyes barley stayed open….I also noticed Kirara was beginning to slow. I wanted to keep going, but Rin's voice crept into my head "let them rest" her voice echoed in my ear "you still have far to go and you'll all need your strength, let them rest for the night". But this would mean Sesshomaru would be far more ahead, there's no way he'd stop to rest! But her voice was so insistent that I lead them down to the forest.

"Sleep" I ordered dryly, "we leave in another two hours".

I stalked off to be alone, Kirara followed.

Shippo's POV

"He's so moody" Norio whined laying him the grass his hands behind his head, I was leaned against a tree, Suzu was between my legs and resting sleepily between my legs.

"Of course he is" she spoke stifling over a yawn, she so cute when she'stired. "I can't even imagine what he's going through".

There was silence, till Norio of course broke it "so any idea where to look for your hidden past?" he asked Suzu.

"No…not a clue" she answered, "but that isn't the main priority right now…I can wait till all this over and Kohaku has Rin. Maybe I'll even wait till after Shippo and I are married".

I smiled warmly, Norio chuckled "I can't believe I've lost my wingman!" he laughed quietly, I tensed up, please don't say anymore! "Before he met you he was one of the biggest womaniser I've ever met, women were fawning over him like he was some kind of god!"

Dammit Norio! Suzu did not react in the way I expected instead she giggled "It's alright…it's all in the past, besides it's not like I didn't have my own fun".

There is was sparking in me, jealousy, well played dear Suzu…well played, married life with her would be interesting to say the least.

An hour crawled by, Norio and Suzu were fast asleep…Norio's snoring was a lot better when he hadn't been drinking. Kohaku hadn't come back and I was getting worried. "Hey, Suzu…Kohaku isn't I'm gonna go find him" I whispered, she half opened her eyes and turned to me slightly.

"Shippo my dear" she said her voice croaky from sleep," I'm going to tell you what I told you a few nights ago…do what you need to do, just don't wake me" she then rolled over and went back to sleep, it was amazing really…It's like I've already been married to her for at least a hundred years.

I did find Kohaku, he was curled up against Kirara who snored peacefully despite the fact her owner was still wide awake, I joined him…he knew I was there but didn't acknowledge me till it suited him.

"What if she chooses him anyway" he finally spoke "let's face it…he has more claim to her than I do, you remember how I almost killed her once…Sesshomaru spared me. It feels wrong going against him like this".

"I know" I said sympathetically, "I felt the same way when I came between yours and Suzu's engagement…it may not be as intense a situation as this…but still it felt weird looking at you as a rival. But if you recall…I was willing to put up a fight anyway. When you know…really know that someone is meant for you and you for them…you have to defeat whatever stands in the way…it's how fate wants it to play out…y'know".

He silently thanked me but I could see his apprehension, so I added "I know we have another hour's sleep…but how about we just head off now?"

It was as the sun rose that we spotted a village up reeked of Sesshomaru but the most potent scent was Rin..this had to be her birth place…hopefully we weren't too late.

Sesshomaru's POV

It was here…but where…her smell was everywhere, her anger and fear covering the entire village…I could practically see the blood her tragedy left behind. The pathetic villagers cowered…."It's a demon" they whispered amongst themselves, I am was not simply passing through…I was staying put till I found the shard and frankly I would like as little interruptions as possible, so finding it before that fool Kohaku arrived would be much more preferable.

"Bring me your elderly" I ordered…when they hesitated I grew more irritated "line them up and all of you, including them, may live! I have questions they will answer".

Upon my last word the elderly were taken and lined up before me…only five were before me. Though not satisfied I began, "who recalls a young girl by the name of Rin".

It was an old woman whose grey hair almost touched her feet, who spoke first "she was four when I last saw her…I thought she died with her family…after the bandits attacked she was nowhere to found".

This was useless to me, my own anger and the ever increasing presence of Rin's was beginning to clash and rage inside me…when usually I was able to contain my hate and infuriation for these pathetic humans, I was regrettably unable to control this, especially when she continued and said "we thought it a kinder fate for her…considering what the poor girl had witnessed".

My claws wrapped around her scrawny wrinkled neck and lifted her off her feet, the other elders scurried away in fear. All the villagers did…I felt Rin's rage grow…she hated that no one was helping save this woman from me...just like no one helped her or her family as they were being attacked! Images of the occurring night flashed in my mind…A four year old Rin cowering in a dark corner as the blood of her big brother, the last one standing to protect her, spluttered over her.

These people, the elderly especially were to blame…they could have helped! Even now these people watched as I held this old woman by the throat! Not a courageous soul among them!

"Stop! Leave her alone!" yelled a woman's voice, suddenly a vision in pink came before me…she had the nerve to grip at my arm "she told you all she knows! Put Usagi down!" she commanded…this human woman didn't even plead with me!

"Aika!" the old woman, Usagi, chocked to the girl, "run".

Aika, as she was called, made no movement to obey "Let her go…she meant no offence!"

This act of…bravery, I suppose, caused the surrounding presence of Rin's anger to soothe and so mine also began to ebb, I let go and carelessly watched as she fell to the ground and was assisted by Aika. The shard was here…somewhere…and I'd find it, I walked on ahead. I would wait in the woods outside till I found the moment came to act. They watched me disappear, deep down also knowing that I would be back. Perhaps the shard was actually in the forest, I had time to investigate.

Norio's POV

This is where Rin was born? Why did it all seem so deserted?

"Do you all feel that?" Suzu asked, we all nodded.

"Yes" Kohaku answered "her hate and love come together here…this is where her family died"

I continued my observation "where is everyone"

Suzu frowned "they're here…they're cowering in their huts…Sesshomaru must have passed through…do you think he found what he was looking for?"

Just as we were about to plunge into another depression, a voice came…a beautiful voice I had not heard in so long... "not if I could help it"

I turned, it can't be… "Aika!"

"Is that you Norio?" she asked tearfully "or is another trick Nori?"

I was so confused "Nori's dead…it's really me". What was she doing here? As I walked towards her…there came another voice.

A little boy, not much older than four at the most came toddling out "mama!" he crooned running to Aika, who swept him up in her arms, he looked over at me with curious eyes "mama whose that?" he asked, he pointed to my scar "why does his face hurt?"

I stared intensly at Aika and she didn't look at her son as she answered him "He's an old friend Shin…don't point it's rude…where is Usagi?"

Usagi? No…at the mention of her name the old woman came out looking for Shin, she saw me and gasped "Norio!"

My heart swelled in my chest, my hand clutched at my chest "grandmother…"

My friends that stood quietly behind me suddenly erupted in one simultaneous exclamation "Grandmother!"

I ignored, my eyes switched from my grandmother, then to Shin and then settled on Aika… "how old is he?" I demanded.

She shifted uncomfortably and snuggled to her son for some comfort "he's a little over three years old".

So…it all adds up, I wanted to break something…more specifically someone, Usagi broke the awkward silence, "if we could just speak to you alone" she said.

I shook my head "no...These are my friends…I'll tell them all anyway, I hide nothing from them".

With that we went into the hut.

"How long after we left did you discover you were with child?" I asked.

"Two months" she answered.

Another long and awkward silence came "I'm sorry" Shippo spoke up "I'm really confused…how did you all meet? Why are you here?"

Aika had Shin asleep on her lap…I couldn't take my eyes of him…it was startling how similar we looked. With a sigh she began "it was almost four years ago…Norio...his brother and the other bandits came to my village. They took over and killed almost everyone, I was kept alive to serve them sake and food" she paused and looked at me, "Norio protected me from a lot of the other men who would have taken advantage, he kept a close eye on me…eventually to secure my safety he declared me his trophy, the other bandits didn't care...there were other women my age still kept alive". She again paused and shot another look at, she hadn't changed, her hair still was still so long and black, her eyes still violet and she still looked so lovely in pink. The others noticed our long intense gape and so she continued her story. "His twin, Nori…seemed kind enough, he wasn't much of fighter like Norio and seemed somewhat shy, but as the months went on…he seemed to change. In the time they spent in my village…I realised, I was falling for Norio…although he terrified me at first…he made me laugh…he gave me joy. We planned to runaway together, we asked Nori to come with us, he agreed. But then on the eve before we left…I was in bed and then suddenly joined by another..."

"Nori" I stated icily, the awkward and uncomfortable atmosphere grew more thick "she coupled with him…I discovered them the next morning when I went to retrieve her"

A small sad gasp resounded from Suzu, "Norio" she whimpered sympathetically.

Aika chided, she held her sleeping son closer to her and looked down at him…at his face, the result of her betrayal to me! Letting a tear fall, she scorned at me "I thought it was you!" she screamed at me loudly, it was a miracle Shin didn't wake up, "I tried to tell you that! Nori told me he was you and I believed him! You were identical! But you didn't give me a chance to explain…you cast me out of my own village and told me to run out of your life before you unleashed the other bandits on me…to use me as I let your brother do…as I also let you! I wandered on for days and found this village…Usagi found me passed out and took me in". she took my grandmother's hand.

"So" Kohaku breathed "Shin…is Nori's son".

Aika nodded, "but he acts…just like Norio…it's strange".

I tried my best to pretend I didn't hear that…so all this time, Nori had taken and tainted another thing of mine! He stole another joy of mine and I had spent years trying to hate the wrong person, blaming her when she was the one who was wronged the most. She didn't look like she hated me…she still looked at me just like the way she used to.

There was still something unanswered, I considered my grandmother "why are you here grandmother?" I asked.

A corner of her lips twitched upwards "you don't remember visiting me here with you parents when you were younger? I've always lived here…I'll never forget the news, they told me my daughter and her husband was dead! I was told you and Nori were nowhere to be found…I assumed the worse" a tear escaped her old eyes, "then…Aika arrived…it was on the anniversary of your supposed deaths…she told me her story and I learned that you were both still alive! Then months later…I was blessed with a beautiful great-grandson" she paused as she looked down at Shin "You say Nori is dead…"

I nodded, Aika was placing Shin under a blanket as she added "was he the one to give you that scar?"

I nodded again silently…Usagi asked what I had dreaded "how did he die"

"I killed him" I answered shame cutting me like a knife.

Aika gasped "you killed your brother?" she whispered.

The person I watched closely was Usagi…she didn't react in the way I had expected "you didn't kill him" she told me quietly "he died…the Nori worth loving died long ago…you rid this world of a monster, created by another monster".

I rushed to my grandmother…she was all I had left of my parents…I had forgotten what village she lived in and after what happened with Nori…I couldn't bear to look for her, so afraid of what she would think of me. Now I realised how unconditional her love was. Over her shoulder I saw Aika looking at me, her finger combing through Shin's hair…I feared it might be too late to repair the damage between us…but that little boy needed me now, he was my blood.

Kohaku faced Aika, "you said you might know what we were looking for".

She bobbed her head "yes, I presumed so…it's another long story but I'll show you, when the demon Lord came, I guessed he was looking for it too, he mentioned a young girl named Rin, when you followed after him I assumed you sought the same thing".

Kohaku's face lightened, "so...we're not too late"

Aika shook her head "no…follow me" with that we followed her out the hut, I took one last long look at Shin.

You're not alone now buddy, I'm gonna make things right.