See Him From Afar
Day had finally broken through the night when Rene decided to stop running. She plopped down on the moist grass to rest on a nearby tree. She was heavily panting and gasping for air.
I did it, she thought. I'm free. As the girl began to stand to her feet, she quickly grabbed her rolling stomach. It growled like a lion and twisted like a vine. That's when Rene remembered the most important thing that she had forgotten. Food. Crap, she thought as she started to walk through the unknown area. How could I forget to bring food? FOOD! Rene didn't know what to do, so she just strolled along the forest path.
Soon, up ahead in the distance, she spotted a faint light. Excitement and hope filled the girl's body. She quickly darted towards the light. That must be the way out of the forest, she thought. A village might be near.
Finally, Rene broke through the dark forest and plunged into the grinning light. She was now standing in a beautiful, flowery meadow. It smelled of fine perfume. Chirping birds and flapping butterflies flew around freely. Though there seemed to be no village nearby, the precious, abundant meadow brought a shiny smile to Rene's face, and she hadn't smiled in months. She was free.
Rene began to stroll through the flowers until she came to the edge of the meadow. Hence, until she reached the edge of a cliff. She then analyzed her surroundings. Down below was a large cherry blossom tree with fresh green grass surrounding it. Around it were more forests trees.
Rene began to climb down the side of the cliff with caution. She slowly moved her foot onto a secure rock. Then she did the same with the other. She also gripped the rocks with her hand to support her as well. After maneuvering through the round and sharp rocks, she was finally down in the fresh grass. That's when she heard it. A soft breath. Breathing. For some odd reason, it reminded her of a melody. It was so calm and beautiful.
She began to scan the area to see who the breathing belonged to. After, she began to circle the tree. That's when she saw a glimmer of something white. It was like silky string. Just then, she heard a harsh and angry voice say, "Damn." Rene ceased her snooping, rushed into the forest, trying to make as little noise as possible, and hid behind a tree. When she realized that the owner of the voice had not noticed her prying, she peeked around the tree and saw him.
A handsome male figure, who looked like he was around nineteen, was sitting up against the bloomed cherry blossom tree. His bright golden eyes and sparkling white hair glimmered and glistened in the sunlight. The moon on his forehead and red eyeliner complemented his soft face. He was gorgeous.
Is he human? thought Rene. That's when she caught a glimpse of his small, elf-like ears. Oh, she thought in disappointment. She began to analyze the armor and white kimono that the demon was wearing. She noticed the sword on his waist along with his fangs and long nails. She noticed blood was trickling down the arm the demon was holding, or at least, the arm that use to be there.
(Back to the present)
"Wait a minute," interrupted Kagome.
"Whose interrupting now?" mocked InuYasha. Kagome gave him an evil glare, which made him cringe.
"Didn't you notice that Sesshomaru's arm is bleeding?" InuYasha looked into the orb again to see what Kagome was going on about.
"You're right, Kagome," said Totosai. "Rene saw Sesshomaru for the first time after InuYasha cut off his arm using Tetsusaiga for the first time."
"So that's what happened to him after his and InuYasha's fight."
"Would you just shut up and watch the damn orb," InuYasha said irritated.
Kagome gave one last evil glare, and then she continued to watch.
(Back in the past)
"Curse that damn InuYasha," said the male figure. "Give it to me. Give me Tetsusaiga."
Though this confused Rene, she thought about a bigger issue. He's injured, she thought. Instinctively, she was about to leap out and try to tend to the demon, but she was quickly stopped by a loud rustle in the trees. A little, green imp suddenly ran out the forest and went straight to the injured demon.
"Lord Sesshomaru," screamed the imp. "I'm so glad I've finally found you."
Sesshomaru? thought Rene. Is that his name?
The imp noticed the pool of blood forming under the stump of Sesshomaru's left arm. "My Lord, what happened?! Who on earth did this to you?!"
"That cursed half demon, InuYasha." Sesshomaru spit out the name.
"That retched InuYasha. How dare he do this to you? He's beneath you. And how come he was able to equipped the Tetsusaiga instead of-"
"Jaken," interrupted the beautiful demon.
The imp cringed, thinking he had said too much. "Uh, yes?"
"Where is Ah-Un?"
"Oh, I'll go and find him right away." The imp swerved and took off running into the forest.
A strong wind blew through the abundant trees and across Rene and Sesshomaru's face. The scent of cherry blossoms filled the air, yet the dog demon was able to pick up a second scent. A human scent.
Sesshomaru raised his head and starred at the tree Rene stood behind. For a while, he said nothing. Then he finally spoke. "How long do you intend on hiding?" he asked.
The question made Rene jump. When did he notice her? Without thinking, she stepped out from behind the tree, fully exposing herself. Her heart thumped a thousand times per second as the handsome Sesshomaru gazed upon her. A sudden gust of wind caused the situation to feel more awkward for Rene.
A girl, thought Sesshomaru as he watched her loose, black hair fly with the wind. His eyes scanned the vile human standing in front of him. The girl's long, thick hair was in - or used to be in - a fat bun. Some strands were dangling out from it. She wore a long, dark green, torn up kimono dress. She's royalty, Sesshomaru assumed. Sesshomaru moved his eyes up to Rene's face, and his mouth slightly opened. He looked passed the bruises and marks and saw a beautiful woman. He noticed her pink lips and dark brown eyes. They were like scarlet. Though she looked like a homeless or exiled princess, he could tell that she was very attractive.
Once Sesshomaru realized what he was doing, he quickly closed his mouth and put on a fierce face. He expected the human girl to jump and run with fear. He thought she would run to a nearby village and yell, "A demon! A demon!" But she didn't. Instead, she took a step forward. This confused the handsome demon.
How strange, he thought. I don't smell any fear on her. He began to stare at her face. She's not showing any sign of fright or weakness. Why is she so calm?
Rene took another step, and then another. She took tiny, cautious steps until she was hovering over the demon. Sesshomaru looked away and pretended to ignore her. That's when she plunged down to her knees where his severed arm was. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Rene reaching for it.
"Stop," he said in a calm, low, yet strict voice. Rene's hand froze in midair. What is she trying to do?
A look of surprise grew on Rene's face. She thought the handsome demon would try to rip off her arm for trying to touch his severed one. Not just simply say, "Stop." Maybe he's not so bad, she thought. She disobeyed the demon and continued to reach for his stubbed arm. Immediately, she felt sharp claws tear into her forearm. Rene yanked her hand back and grabbed her arm with the other. Blood flowed down it like it was a river. She stared at Sesshomaru and saw his raised, right hand. Her blood had stained it. I guess I thought too soon.
"I don't need your sympathy," he said with a cold melody before lowering his hand.
A twisted expression morphed onto the girl's face. Sesshomaru's violent action angered Rene. She was in serious pain, yet she stayed near the stranger, gazing at him with narrowed eyes. Sesshomaru was looking away now; that made her even more enraged. Rene, without thinking, reached for the bamboo water container wrapped around her waist, removed the cork inside it, and splashed it all over him (mostly his face). Though his expression was stolid – it didn't look like anything had happened to him – he was surprised and befuddled. Anger boiled inside him. A human just stood up to him. A human.
Sesshomaru slowly turned his head with anger and curiosity. Now he and Rene were glaring at each other with narrowed eyes. As he began to raise his claws again, Rene quickly tugged his bloody, kimono sleeve up and began to pour water all over his stubbed arm. Sesshomaru froze. The girl's actions were really confusing him. Should he slash her again?
When Rene's water container was empty, she set it down and tore off a long strip of silk off her kimono. After, she tightly tied it around Sesshomaru's stubbed arm to stop the bleeding. Finally, she lowered his sleeve.
Sesshomaru was dumbfounded. Befuddled. Awed. Why is this girl trying to help me? he thought. I don't even know her. He placed his right hand onto the ground. While he gazed at the girl with wonder, Rene wrapped the bamboo container back around her waist. Another awkward gust of wind blew past them.
"Why did you do that?" he suddenly asked. Rene glanced at him. He patiently waited for her answer, but she said nothing. "There must be a reason," he said coldly. She shook her head then stood. The two were glaring at each other with wonder yet again. The two were strangers, puzzles, and mysteries to one another.
Sesshomaru peered into Rene's eyes and thought, A human girl who isn't afraid of demons. A brave yet foolish girl. Why would she help me, a demon? Did she intend to rescue me, or does she merely lack care for her life?
Rene gazed into Sesshomaru's golden eyes and thought, a strong handsome demon. Anger and hatred is obviously plastered on his face. What happened to him to make him look that way? It doesn't seem like he wants to kill me. Could it be because he's injured?
"Tell me, girl," Sesshomaru began. Rene's face tightened. "What is your name?"
Rene's mouth slightly opened with surprise. She was preparing herself for a threat or insult and possibly something like "Do you not care for your life?" and maybe even another attack with the claws. But she wasn't expecting him to ask for her name.
She was about to open her mouth and tell the demon what she went by, but was quickly stopped by a yelling voice coming from the forest. It yelled, "Me Lord! Lord Sesshomaru! I have retrieved Ah and Un!"
Rene took one last glace at the handsome demon before taking off into the forest, leaving Sesshomaru alone to wonder about another thing.
