Jolie, thank you for the thumbs up. I hope this makes up for the long wait. (nn,)
Life, Death, Love
Chapter 3: Leaving for a New Life
For the third day in a row, the god, Sesshoumaru, graces the Upper Earth of his presence. He is currently sitting comfortably on a fully grown tree, very much like when he's sitting on the shoulder of a monstrous being, a habit he's been fond of during his youth. The height provided a good view of the front garden of Kaede's home, a sight to which his attention is undeniably locked. He'd been used to going down to business as soon as the moment calls for it, but it seems that for now, he would have to wait. His pointed ears twitched unconsciously as he concentrated on using his sharp hearing…
"Okaachan…" Rin dragged the words for as long as she can manage. It sounded deeper and deeper until it completely disappeared, and yet the mother she'd been addressing to was not stirred away from her happy mood.
She tried again, with an attempt at drama, this time, "Oh, hahaue, how can I move with these silk robes? Such royalty is not meant to do such task! I hear the winds calling me and telling me to tell you to leave the flowers alone and let them bloom by natural circumstances."
A vein popped in her mother's forehead and she stood up straight, the bowl-like container of her collection of seeds tucked on her right hip to express more her annoyance. "First of all, my princess Rin, your clothes are very likely from a cheap, band-catering shop than a castle. Second, if you can run all day yesterday while playing in the woods, then I hardly think tending to plants is such a hard task. And third, we have to make sure these seeds are spread out evenly and we have to separate some flowers to their own pots to give them the proper space for them to grow, so you can't give me dumb excuses like that. There's so much to do, how can you have the special gift of spring when you can't even care for small plants such as these?" On went her mother's rant
"Buttttt… I didn't wear this attire to do gardening! Obaachan didn't require us to look after it, either!" Then in a more quiet tone, she added, "My clothes are not a cheap band material, I have more style than that. Besides, I'd have to lean down all the time; I'm wearing a pleated skirt…"
"Then change into more comfortable attire. Yes, I heard you, darling. Why are you so fashionista today, anyway? Who'd see your designer skirt and your off-shoulder shirt in a province with houses standing very far apart? Your necklace is going to get tangled, I'm sure, and your shoes, oh, I'm not gonna help you clean that if you get some mud on that, you hear me."
All Rin could do was pout. Obviously she's not going to tell her mother why she's eager to be free from her grasp and why she's being appearance-conscious today. Seeing her quieting herself for some time, her mother continued on her task, tending to the plants aligned on their spacious garden one by one, silently expecting Rin to follow her example.
Rin, however, was still sulking because she couldn't get her way. She tried the guilt trip this time. One long intake of breath and then she said, "I was tired all week doing schoolwork and then I thought I could play when we get here. Why can't I just make it all grow, so it'd be over quick? We wouldn't have to water and all…"
Kagome found the idea incredulous. She looked back again and saw her daughter still on the very same spot where she left her and gave off a sad smile. "Children do grow up fast. One moment you are excited to attend to the flowers with your kaachan and then the next thing I know, you're acting like a teenager avoiding it like a chore, just so you can run off and see some boy."
Rin went stiff as soon as she heard the word boy. Her mother's melancholic joke fired the guilt back at her, but more importantly, she'd been frighteningly correct. Ever since she woke up this morning, all she'd been thinking of was if she will see Sesshoumaru again, or, at the very least, if she could hang out with the nymphs, so they can tell her the same stories about the god they saw yesterday.
She felt bad for being a foolish girl, disregarding her mom's simple happiness of tending to their garden together just so she can walk away and daydream of some boy… correction, god.
"Gomen ne, kaachan, I still love flowers. I love spending mornings tending to them with you. I just got preoccupied lately." She apologized while bowing her head.
"No worries, my love. If we start moving those pots over there now, we'd be finish doing all of this in an hour or so. I just want to please your obaachan as much as I can; we know she's getting old and weaker as the days gone by. Kaachan promises that she'll leave you alone after this."
Like I said, guilt trip. "Hai…" I know it's gonna take more than 'an hour or so'. So much for going back to the forest at the exact time I saw him yesterday. Rin sighs. It's for my family, anyway…
Sesshoumaru was not pleased. With all the work that Kagome implied they'd be doing, he was sure it would take the whole morning and he was not about to wait for that long. He is willing to wait when necessary, but if there are other options, his patience would run thin and he would make sure that he could find a way to make things work to his advantage. Now would be a good example of that situation.
He gracefully allowed himself to fall down the tree, leaving only his hand clutching the strong branch as his support. The shake made some leaves fell and his hair started swaying in mid air. But other than that, he remained quiet. Now if he could get her to see him then the problem can be solved quick.
Kagome smiled as she guided her daughter in transferring the 'baby flowers', as they call it. She casually glanced on her daughter's back where one of the large trees surrounding their humble house was located. When she saw something, or someone clinging to a branch with one hand, her eyes went wide and she had to do a double take to make sure she's seeing things right. As she registers the view inside her mind, the man let go and started falling to the ground vertically, like he was doing everything with ease. The shadows concealed his identity, but she was sure the silver blur was caused by a familiar silver-white hair.
"No, this can't be…"
"Aww, did I do something wrong, kaachan?" Rin looked up from her work with confusion in her voice.
The unidentified man, on the other hand, turned 180 degrees and Kagome confirmed that the white blur was his swaying white hair.
"No, darling, everything's ok. Can I leave you to this for a moment? I need to see something."
Before she got an answer, Kagome was running towards the figure under the tree, leaving her daughter on their garden, tilting her head in innocent confusion.
But as it happens, the figure was already walking away, and the only thing Kagome could inconveniently see was his back which was of no use since it was all a moving shade of silver blur under the shadows.
Her long strides soon turned into a run, but the man was fast and disappearing even faster.
He must be an apparition testing my sanity. Kagome thought.
When she couldn't take it anymore, she just slumped on the ground and crawled her way on a tree to have something to lean her tired body. All the running was so sudden that she over exhausted herself and her unprepared muscles were now hurting.
Thinking again of the white-haired man, she wondered if it's who she thought it was, and why he would disappear like that when he has finally showed up. Why was he here in the first place…? I know it's him, it has to be.
Meanwhile, Rin is wondering why her mother left, all of a sudden. She was just starting to get in the mood for gardening! Now that she's standing here all alone, she is thinking that there is no way she would do all the work left while her mother runs off acting distracted. Her determination to take care of their garden to please her mother quickly faded and a mischievous idea is slowly creeping on its place. Kaachan just ran off… that sounds like a great idea!
She quickly ran towards the edge of the forest. Her flats are still mud-free and she's not about to waste her girly outfit by going back inside the house. She is going to go to the deepest part of the woods. Something tells her she will see him there.
As Rin ran deeper and deeper into the woods, more and more forest nymphs are alerted of her presence. Word on her infatuation with the god of the Underworld spread quickly among them and it did not take a genius to figure out that she's anticipating another encounter with him. The worried women tried to shout at her, some flew past her to distract her, but the girl was intent on reaching their place of encounter first. They didn't give up, though. They continued to follow her and tell her that playing in this place and that sounds like a good idea, that "such god would not show up for your convenience", anything to stop her from wasting her time hoping to see an antisocial god that rarely shows up.
By the time Rin reached the area where she met him, there was a serious horde of nymphs catching up on her, it made her look like she was the god being followed.
Much to the uneasiness of the women catching their breaths, Rin's instincts did not fail her.
Sesshoumaru was standing in a patch of light created by the spaces in between the tree leaves and smirking. He was sure he had already lost Kagome. He felt a mass of movement on the farther side of the forest and he can already picture the panicky faces of the nymphs catching up on an excited Rin. He knew they'd be worried and they would warn her off, but he didn't earn his reputation of being heartless for nothing.
His smirk widen, which is now as good as another feral smile, as he realized the direction in which the disturbance is heading.
"Hmm, she's thinking of meeting me there. Things are becoming more to my advantage."
He turned into a ball of light and flew faster than the naked eye can notice and by the time Rin arrived at their unspoken meeting place, he was already leaning comfortably on another large tree, one knee bent to rest a foot on the trunk and both of his arms crossed in front of his chest.
He thought it funny that the women surrounding her were all naked, and yet his eyes were as interested to them as he is to the dried leaves falling from the trees. All he wanted to look at now is the young lady breathing hard in front of him, clearly all dolled up for this occasion.
He waited for her breathing pattern to return to normal, but his lips seem to be the impatient one today. He allowed himself a smile because he found it amusing that he is now smiling (or giving off smirks) a lot and also because he really felt the emotion that produces such expression.
"Good morning, Rin. You're just on time."
His smile was like a go signal that predictably made my friend nymphs shiver in fear like yesterday. I would've found it comical if I weren't too occupied with being so happy and relieved and just excited that I'm seeing him.
I made a run and stopped exactly in front of him. I couldn't care less who he is at this point. The only coherent thought that I have is that we're in front of each other and that I'm going to force him to spend the day with me if I have to.
"Good morning to you, too, Sesshoumaru. I didn't expect to see you so soon!"
He shifted his legs which were clad in black nicely-fitting pants that go well with his forest green V-neck shirt and I was reminded of how tall he was. His legs seem to just go on forever with those pants! I had to remind myself to pay attention as he is answering my greeting.
"Oh? I was under the impression that all that running implied otherwise."
I blushed, but he wasn't done embarrassing me, "Why, you even brought a crowd."
"Eeeep!" The nymphs said in unison and again, if I weren't glowing red, I would've laughed at them when they all took a step back at Sesshoumaru's glance.
The god in front of me, however, seems to be the kind of guy who enjoys seeing people frighten themselves to death in front of him. Such overconfidence! Too bad the fast beating of my heart is a dead giveaway that I'm not really turned off by his behavior. Now if only the ground would open up and swallow me right about now.
"Ano… Sesshoumaru, they are my friends. They hang around here a lot."
"This Sesshoumaru knows about them. More importantly, they know about me." I already saw the meaning behind his words and it made me wonder if he's expecting me to already know who he is.
Ignoring the nervous aura arising from the crowd, Sesshoumaru offered me his hand and said, "Will you join me, Rin?" I decided instantly that voicing to him that it sounded like an order wasn't in the best of my interests. "I know a good place nearby. I assume you'd prefer to hang out in a place with beautiful scenery so we can talk peacefully before we became fully acquainted."
Not really understanding why he's elaborating his invitation, I said, "sure, why not" and lightly placed my hand on top of his. He tightened the hold and started leading me in the forest. I grew up being accustomed to women's touches, but I was not used to being held by a man. His touch was surprisingly comfortable, to my relief. It was like his hands were made to hold mine. He was warm and soft and his almost-white fingers were long and attractive. His nails are even longer than mine! Very feminine, indeed, but with the grip of the opposite. I feared sweating while he's holding me, but he showed no signs of letting go, just silently leading the way and walking in a pace that would suit my strides. It really felt good holding him like this.
"Riiiin! Where are you going? Does your mom know?" A nymph shouted, breaking our moment, before having her confidence go downhill by a single raise of an eyebrow from Sesshoumaru and hiding on another nymph's back.
"Um, can they come along?" I asked him. A quick reminder of my mother told me that it'd be wise and appropriate to allow them.
"I don't see a problem with that." he answered. "Although I am sure they will keep their distance."
A few of them squealed in fright, but they silently followed, anyway.
Sesshoumaru brought Rin to another edge of the forest that she hasn't been to before. The trees continued to the hills surrounding the area, but the calm lake in front of them emphasized how spacious the place is. Wild flowers can be spotted surrounding the sparkle-filled lake and he led her to a sturdy log where they could conveniently watch those. She skipped on her way there, completely forgetting that she's wearing a skirt, and once they were both seated, she caught a stray seed of Dandelion floating in the air and told him that "this is a really nice place".
She closed her eyes to make a wish. I know this is too early for such things, but I really get this feeling that I'd love to be with Sesshoumaru forever. I hope things turn out great between us. Even if it's just friendship. She told herself as she blew the seed away from her open palm while keeping her eyes closed still.
Sesshoumaru stayed quiet and enjoyed the view of a very lovely girl framed by a serene atmosphere sitting beside him. He is aware that she is making a wish and he thought it funny, knowing that anything she'd like, he could and would find a way to give it to her. She didn't open her eyes after giving the seed back to the wind, there is a small smile or her lips that he's been meaning to touch, she looked like her wish is making her happy. His long and quick fingers caught the seed that she blew away and with dull eyes, he watched as the tip of his fingernails glow a neon shade of green and melt the whimsical object in his fingers. He let the faint smoke blend with the clean, fresh air and promised then and there that he would be the only one to grant the wishes of this girl whom has brought colors back into his life. When she finally opened her captivating eyes to face him, there was neither a trace of the neon green acid on his fingertips nor a sign of the remains of the wishing seed.
"Rin, you need not wish upon such silly material."
"I know. I'm just happy you gave me a chance to bond with you today and I wanted to make a wish to show my appreciation of our surroundings."
"Hn." He said, nonchalantly. "Do as you please."
Rin gave a beaming smile and although Sesshoumaru did not smile in return, she could see in his golden eyes that he is matching the elation that she is feeling within her.
He switched his attention to the light reflecting off of the blue waters and Rin admired how the shiny surface of the water doubled the fire residing in his eyes. She could see in his soft expression that he has high regards for nature and she went to follow his line of vision, both to revel in silence and to enjoy the natural beauty of life that this man seems to cherish. The very fact that he has brought her to such place already raised her admiration for him and she knew she'd be thankful for this moment that she has shared with this god for the rest of her life.
And so on went their appreciation of the scenery – one sitting in a straight posture with his hands on his lap, and one leaning her palms heavily on the log while unconsciously swaying her legs back and forth to the silent tune of nature.
They didn't know how long they stayed in welcomed silence, but soon their eagerness to learn more about each other took over and they started communicating with words. They talked about their simple views in life and about the things that they enjoy the most without really diving in to too much detail.
They talked mostly about Rin – what she does in school and how she spends her time in the city. Rin, being the talkative girl that she is, didn't mind that she was the topic of conversation. In fact, she is even grateful for Sesshoumaru's continuous inputs and for allowing her to blabber about so many things to avoid having an awkward silence between them. Every now and then, he would share something about himself and seeing his quiet personality, Rin is already thankful for every little thing that he has said. It even surprised her that not only is he obviously intelligent, he is knowledgeable about many earthly things, as well. But on top of that, she is enjoying the company of the man beside her. No man, or boy, has encouraged her to talk this carefree before. They didn't speak about each other's position, as in gifted human and powerful god, so the conversation flowed casually, like they were only two young adults, meeting and curious to know one another in a beautiful camping spot.
From a distance, the nymphs were watching behind the trees. Despite the obvious chemistry between the pair seated near the lake, all of them were sweating in nervousness. The god of the Underworld rarely shows himself unless he means business, which is not a good idea, definitely, because he rules over the dead. And to make matters worse, he seems to be enjoying himself. That would be a relief if it doesn't involve their friend human whose family is unaware of her new acquaintance.
With the lack of powers to throw away a superior god and the lack of a better plan to do, the nymphs had no choice but to remain an audience.
After a long moment of bonding and a few rounds of leisurely walking around the lake, Rin noticed that the sun was no longer high up. Realizing that she didn't even tell her kaachan or her obaachan where she's going, she decided that it is best to go back home before it gets dark. She was so caught up in getting to know Sesshoumaru that she completely forgot about getting food in her system.
She paused in her strides and faced the god beside her fully. "Ano… Sesshoumaru, it's been nice and all, but I think it's time to go. I didn't exactly tell my mom where or whom I'd be spending my day with and my family will surely get worried if I didn't go home before dark."
"Ah, it's time we go."
"So, I'm glad you thought the same. To be honest, I don't have many friends. The people I call peers are all nice, but they all just feel… different from me. Aside from my family and the forest nymphs, this is the first time that I've actually had so much fun at simply being with a person, and a guy at that. So, what I'm saying is, I really, really appreciate that you've found it worthy to spend your day with me. It means a lot and I hope this isn't the last time we'll get to hang out."
Ignoring what she's trying to imply, the god asked, "How so are they different from you? How do you think we are the same? You show so much appreciation for someone who didn't even tell you where he came from."
Silence followed and the tension built up. Rin did not answer right away, but try as she might, she knew she isn't going to win this battle.
"And here I was hoping I could go home without telling…" She sighed the words and Sesshoumaru found it endearing that she's being completely honest with someone that she has only met. There is a certain kind of purity in her, and the more he stays with her, the more he feel himself needing it. His smiling eyes encouraged her to speak what's on her mind and she tried again,
"Actually… Actually, I know who you are. After we saw you at the forest yesterday, I've heard… things… from the nymphs. They told me that gods do exist and that you are, in fact, one of the most powerful ones. They told me you rule the Underworld. I… well, I'm not a god. I'm not even close to a powerful being. I just have this ability to make things that are part of nature spring to life. And it's not even as impressive as it sounds because I can't really perform it unless I'm super close to it to have my breath reach it…"
When she's realized that she's as good as a solo artist citing a monologue on stage, she stole a glance on her companion to try to figure out why he's not responding at all. She saw him smiling a little and like his previous ones, you can't really be sure whether it's good or bad. Since he's already taken it upon himself to listen to her speech, whether he speaks or not, she decided to add more to her explanation, in case he's upset that she's being secretive to a superior being who can kill her with no doubt.
"Please don't be mad, ok? I'm not really intending on hiding this from you. I just wanted to get to know you, as you, and not the god from stories that they all fear. The nymphs have nothing to do with this; it is me whose curiosity was on overdrive. I hope you're not offended or anything… because clearly, I am now the only one speaking."
Speaking of the nymphs, they have now noticed the sudden change of atmosphere and are now in fear of being punished.
But Sesshoumaru still wasn't saying anything, it frustrated Rin. Great, now I'm talking to a sculpture! Is he always like this?
"Sesshou..maru? Would you rather I call you as 'Sesshoumaru-sama'? You know… because I'm… aware."
"Sesshoumaru is fine." He replied and Rin, having adjusted to silence, suddenly jumped at hearing his deep voice.
"And you're not mad at all?" That was what's important.
"Rin, I don't see why I should get mad at such trivial things. If there's something to be said, it's that I am thankful for what the nymphs has told you. Now we can skip the real, quick introductions."
"Yokatta… So, we'll still see each other, right? We're friends now, aren't we? Aren't we?" Rin was jumping in place, her bubbly attitude coming back.
"Meido Zangetsuha."
"Eh?" Rin stood still and tilted her head like a child. "Come again?"
Inuyasha watched Kagome from an elaborate life-sized mirror provided by the god of Reflection, Kanna. He uses it mainly for monitoring the Upper Earth, although it is no secret from all the gods living with him in his castle that he often indulges in watching the human Kagome there, as well.
At present, she appeared to be anxious about something, but she is hiding it well and acting content to spend time with her mother, Kaede. The god knows so because his sad, yellow eyes are expressing the same longing that are visible on her dark ones.
To make himself feel better, he switches the view to what surely is a lively person that would brighten up anybody's day. What can this girl be up to this time? He thought with a grin. He remembered his conversation with his half-brother, he's already curious as to when and how he would approach the girl, but what he saw before him made his eyes pop huge to the size of his ears. It was as clear as the beautiful mirror that what he sees is far advanced than what he's been expecting.
"SESSHOUMARUUUUUUUUUU, you're taking it LITERALLY, you FOOOOL!"
To say the whole castle had been shaken by his yelling would be an understatement.
Inuyasha slapped his forehead hard and slumped on his seat. He can already feel a headache coming.
"Meido Zangetsuha."
"Eh?" Rin stood still and tilted her head like a child. "Come again?"
To answer her question, the deep blue crescent-shaped moon on Sesshoumaru's forehead emitted a blinding light with the same color, and before she knew it, the same shape was forming on the ground with its bright outline slowly spreading wide until it was large enough to have them both standing completely on its body. The grass beneath their feet disappeared to be replaced by what looked like a preview of the night sky. Rin, bothered by the fact that they look like they're floating above a black hole, jumped closer to Sesshoumaru and clutched the front of his shirt for dear life. The god took it as a cue to have her trapped in his embrace and Rin managed to blush while asking him in a panicky voice, "Sesshoumaru, what's happening?"
When Sesshoumaru gave her one of his trademark stares that are empty of an answer, she twisted her body in his arms to look around, only to see the moon outline climbing upwards and sealing them in a purple curtain of light. It was too late when she realized that they were also moving, the invisible ground descending as the light covers them completely.
Amidst the screen of light that is, by now, only on the upper half of their bodies, she saw her friends hurriedly running towards them and opening their mouths to what looked like a muted chorus of them shouting her name.
Moon Cosmic Power Make Up! Haha, kidding!
Dandelion seed – the round, white fluffy thing that children blew upon wishing (Please correct me if I'm wrong because I want to know if there's a specific term for this.)
Hahaue – reverent term for mother
Kaachan – mother
Meido Zangetsuha – In the anime, it's the "massive black circle" that Sesshoumaru/Inuyasha uses to send the enemy straight to hell. It literally means "Dark Path Cutting-Moon Wave".
Obaachan – grandmother
Yokatta – can be "good" or "I'm so glad"
