Beyond the Darkness
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A/N: Well, I got my first review! Yay! Thank you, inufan155687! :D Anyway, here's more Sesshomaru luuuurve! LOLs! R&R (please! (Gosh, now I sound all whiney... I am not a whiner! I just love reading people's reviews!! :D)) and enjoy! -Michele


::Chapter Three::


They left early the next morning to hunt for food. Rin was very good at finding cabbage patches and vegetable gardens. They swiped some melons and squash and a couple of cabbages and continued on their way.

Sesshomaru led the group, walking farther than A-Un, Rin, and Nikala. Rin normally sat on A-Un during their traveling, but this time she wanted to walk side by side Nikala. After Nikala's woeful story last night, Rin was quick to bond with her. Rin had shared her story with Nikala of the wolves that came and destroyed her village, a lot similar to how the Thunder Brothers came to the fox tribe. Rin's family was eaten by the wolves and she, too, had also died from them. But Lord Sesshomaru had come and revived her, using a special sword named Tenseiga, a sword that can bring back from the dead.

"But my lord doesn't really like the sword, since it can't kill in battle," Rin explained. "He uses Tokijin to slay his enemies."

Nikala glanced over at Sesshomaru as Rin introduced the swords. Her eyes widened as they lingered on Tenseiga. Could he use Tenseiga to bring her beloved back to life?

Would he do that for her? He had said, after all, that he hadn't brought her to his campsite for her, but then again, he never really made it clear why he'd done it. If not for her, then for what? She'd never known Lord Sesshomaru before, so she couldn't be of any importance to him. She wanted to believe that it was an act of kindness, though Jaken had said before that he cares for nobody. She found that hard to believe after Rin had told her the story of how Sesshomaru revived her from her death.

Nikala thought she'd give it a try. She'd never know his answer unless she asked. She excused herself from Rin and walked up further with Lord Sesshomaru and Jaken.

"Lord Sesshomaru," Nikala called when she approached him. He did so little as to turn his head slightly to her. Jaken looked up at her with curiosity. "I was wondering about that sword of yours, Tenseiga? It can bring back the dead, can it not?"

"You're wondering if I could bring back your fox mate from the dead," Sesshomaru said. Nikala widened her eyes.

"Um, yes…" she said with a nod. "Would you?"

"Of course not," Sesshomaru said flatly. Nikala suddenly looked taken aback and they stopped walking. His answer had pierced her through her heart. How could somebody be so cold-hearted about something like that? Here, he had a miracle object, something that could actually bring the dead back to life, but he wouldn't even think about using it to bring back the love of a lonely fox woman?

"Lord Sesshomaru? Do a favor for a mere demon such as yourself?" Jaken laughed. "You must be insane! Lord Sesshomaru wouldn't even think of giving up his powers for another!"

"But he did when he used Tenseiga on Rin!" shouted Nikala. Lord Sesshomaru's eyes widened slightly, remembering the sight of the small dead village girl on the ground at the jaws of a pack of wolves. He remembered feeling Tenseiga's pulse, its yearning to give the little girl back her life.

"He also let me stay so we can search for my son together," she continued. Yet again, Sesshomaru was struck with the truth. He didn't know what to say, and neither did Jaken. He was flabbergasted. His Lord Sesshomaru had done those things, those acts of kindness.

"I will not revive your mate," Sesshomaru said. "We are only looking for your son, and then you are leaving. That was what we'd agreed on."

"But my lord!" Rin cried, running up to them from far behind. "Lady Nikala and I were talking about this last night and we thought that maybe once she finds her son, that maybe they could stay with us. Shippo could be company for me, and Lady Nikala for you. Wouldn't you like that, my lord?"

"Stop spouting such nonsense!" Sesshomaru spat, now irritated. He glared down at the innocent little girl he'd taken in after she'd been revived. "Lady Nikala will most certainly not be staying with us when she finds her son. She will travel to the Northern fox tribe when they reunite, just like she plans. That is where she belongs; not with us."

After that, Sesshomaru turned and continued walking again, faster than before. It was hard for Jaken to trail at his heels this time. Nikala stood where she was, staring at the back of Sesshomaru with such distaste. How could someone, demon or not, act so rashly? It was as if he had no heart.

If he has no heart, she thought, then why had he allowed me to travel with him? Why had he revived Rin? Why does he keep his companions?

She didn't know what to do or what to say. Rin stayed by her side, tears welling in her eyes.

"My lord has never spoken to me that way before," she sniffed. "I don't know what's wrong with him. Maybe he's confused. Maybe he's possessed." She wiped her nose on her kimono sleeve and wiped her eyes.

"He didn't mean what he said," she continued. "I'm sure my lord would really enjoy your company while we travel. He'll change his mind eventually. He'll probably grow on you during your stay with us. Then he'll want you to stay." Rin grabbed a hold of Nikala's hand and squeezed it. "I don't have a family either, but I remember what it was like having a mother. My mother was kind, sweet, and loving. You remind me a lot like her. It would be really nice to have a mother again."

She wrapped her arms around Nikala's waist and hugged her tightly. Nikala couldn't hold back the tears she'd stored and they came rushing out. Rin's words had meant so much to her. She thought of Nikala as her own mother.

Nikala press Rin's head to her stomach and wrapped her golden tail around her body, in return for Rin's hug. She had completely forgotten what Sesshomaru had said to hurt her. It was thanks to Rin that she was feeling so much better. This little girl could do a lot; she herself was a miracle.