A/N: Thank you for the reviews, sorry I couldn't post yesterday. Um here's the second part of the last chapter. Please enjoy and review.
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, Rumiko Takahashi, VIZ and Sunrise own Inuyasha. I just own the story line.
Chapter IV: Detour: Sesshomaru
May 2, 1685 The Bahamas earlier that day…
On board the Midnight Assassin
Sesshomaru had decided to rest that morning without any interruptions from any one. He had locked himself in his cabinet prepared to close his eyes for a few minutes. He climbed into bed exhausted; the pirate laced his fingers together and rested them upon his chest. He closed his golden eyes to the world and fell quickly asleep.
Ten minutes later…
Hurried steps ran across the quarter deck of the ship and made their way to Sesshomaru's private sanctuary. The door was swung open and a frantic cry graced Sesshomaru's sensitive ears. The pirate snapped opened his eyes and in the process fell from his bed and stumbled to the floor hitting his head on the hard oak floor.
He growled menacingly at having his much needed rest disturbed by whoever dared intrude of his slumber. It took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the bright light shining through the open door, he climb to his feet and planned to give the person who had stormed through his private quarters a decent piece of his mind…
He drew a blade from underneath his pillow and was about to use it when Rin threw herself into Sesshomaru's arms. Sesshomaru blinked down at his love with golden bewildered eyes, he set the blade on the night stand and held her tight. Rin was crying frantically and she buried her face deeper into his chest.
Sesshomaru stroked her hair and found his voice that he had seemed to have lost. He cleared his throat and whispered soothingly into her ear, "Rin dearest what is the matter with you? Has something happened to you? Has anyone dared lay a hand upon you? Who the hell is the bastard, I will kill him-"
The attractive pirate was interrupted when Rin's tears ceased a bit and she pulled away from his chest. Sesshomaru wiped away her depressing tears and gave her a distressing frown. She shook her head and whimpered through her tears, "Sesshy…do…do you remember how you took over…that English ship the other day?" Not knowing what she meant by this, Sesshomaru simply nodded his head that he remembered the take over. Rin smiled weakly and continued forward with her point.
"Sesshomaru those women were wearing the latest fashion trends from England and look at me! I am still confined to wearing last session's trends! I cannot be caught wearing last sessions clothing Sesshomaru, it cannot be! I must have those beautiful dresses, petticoats, bodices and shoes they were wearing. Oh please Sesshomaru, I have never asked you for anything like this before!"
The color from Sesshomaru's face drained away and went paler then usual. He kept his loose grip upon Rin and he stared at her with confused eyes. She had awaked him from his much needed sleep because of a fashion crisis? It took every ounce on his behalf not to get annoyed, but he couldn't help but smirk. He sighed restlessly and ruffled her hair caringly.
The pirate released Rin and said placidly, "Rin you awoke me from my slumber because of a fashion crisis? Ah, Rin dear why could you not have waited until night fall or something when I would have been awake, ready to serve you?"
Rin raised her head high and said, "Because Sesshomaru we cannot attend to do shopping in the middle of the night. It can only be done during broad daylight. So please Sesshomaru-sama may you please take me to Nassau to buy what I require? I assure you it will only be a few hours of shopping and that is all. I would have Kagura take me, but I know you would not allow me off the ship without you by my side."
"Indeed I would not have you leave this ship without me escorting you Rin. Argh, fine I will take you to Nassau and buy you what you require dear, but only if you promise me that once we return from your shopping trip that you will let me sleep without any disturbances. I am desperately in much need of sleep." Sesshomaru smiled wearily at the young girl in front of him. Rin smiled reassuringly and threw her arms around her love's neck; she graced his satin like lips with a passionate kiss at was short lived.
She released him and exclaimed with anticipation, "Oh thank you so much Sesshomaru-sama I promise I will leave you alone and have no one disturb your sleep! When may we leave my dear? May we leave right now or does the afternoon suit you best?"
Sesshomaru was about to answer her, when Kagura entered the room and stood leaning against the door's railing. Sesshomaru arched an elegant brow in question to her intrusion of the moment. She gave him an indifferent look and glanced away blushing a deep shade of red. At first he was not sure why she had advert her gaze from him; but Rin's giggling and blushing made him understand why. Sesshomaru looked down at himself to find that he was wearing neither a jacket nor a shirt. He sighed in exasperation and muttered something under his breath.
"Kagura, prepare yourself for we are leaving to Nassau so Rin and you can buy what you wish for in a few minutes. Rin run along and let me dress for I cannot go dressed like this..." Rin nodded her head and kissed him one last time before leaving the room with Kagura. But before Kagura followed after Rin, she addressed her captain with a placid whisper, "Ah Sesshomaru you spoil Rin rotten, if you haven't forgotten captain, you are hunting for the hanyou not detouring and shopping. If I didn't know any better I would say you fear seeing Inuyasha again…" She gave him a quick smile and ran after Rin.
For a moment Sesshomaru was dumbfounded, he knew why they where here, but he never thought she would say anything about it. His agitation faded and he shut the door not wanting any more disturbances while he prepared himself. This outing would have some advantages to it, he could find out some information about his sophomoricbrother while he was in Nassau. He hurried himself to dress so he could get this over with, he settled on wearing a cream colored cassock with gold trimmings, a neckband shirt with a blood red bedecked silk ribbon around the neckband and his hair grabbed in a low ponytail.
He stole a quick glance into the vanity hanging next to his dresser and smirked smugly. The fabric of dark red around his neck made it looked as if he bleeds against his pallor skin. His attire was to his most liking, not that he mind dressing casually, but since this was an outing involving two women, he needed to dress his best. He grabbed Toukijin and Tensaiga and left his cabin. Rin and Kagura were waiting for him by the escape boats and he sighed.
It might as well as if I am trying to escape from here. We arrived in the Caribbean two weeks ago and still no signs of Inuyasha…argh damn! We would have caught up with Inuyasha if I was not here at the moment! Please oh please let this day go by fast so tonight I can commence with my forthright plans. We are no less then a few miles off of Tortuga…I hope things will be settled soon between the two of us.
Sesshomaru lowered the small escape boat into the clam waters, the waves crashed gently against the sides of the Midnight Assassin causing it to sway to the sides. He helped both Rin and Kagura down into the ship. He swung his legs over the side, but before dropping down, he searched for his first mate to leave him his duties and in charge while he was away. Jaken was ascending from the hold writing down things while he headed for the quarter deck. Sesshomaru grinned malevolently; he enjoyed scaring the little green toad youkai while he was tangled in his thoughts.
The vitriolic pirate cleared his throat and snarled silkily, "Jaken! Rin, Kagura and I are leaving for Nassau. We will be return in the later afternoon and when we return, this ship has best be clean and ready to set sail for Tortuga. You will be in charge while I am away first mate. Oh and by the way Jaken, my ship had best not have a blemish on it, for if I happen to find a microscopic spec, I will send you to an early watery grave. We wouldn't want that now would we Jaken? It would be a real shame to have to send you off is such a manner."
Jaken was startled out of his ugly green skin, he threw his notebook and quilt pen into the air and jumped about three feet in mid air screaming. Sesshomaru covered his mouth suppressing the urge to burst out into a fit of uncontrollable laughter. He straightened himself up and once more wore his insipid mask in place.
"Jaken, compose yourself, you give other pirates a bad name if anyone else from another pirate ship were to have seen your reaction in the matter you just displayed. Like I was saying, you will be in change while I take Rin and Kagura to Nassau. We will return later in the afternoon if not sooner. We are off then, and I meant what I said Jaken."
Sesshomaru's trusted first mate fell to the deck with his hands over his palpitating heart. He was sweating from the startle he had received from his captain and his stern words only made his heart beat faster. Jaken picked himself up and faced his captain, he bowed forward and stood straight up again. Sesshomaru crossed his legs and folded his arms across his chest with a chimera like aura hanging around him.
A stressed voice came from the small boat and retorted up at Sesshomaru, "Sesshomaru-sama! Stop hectoring Jaken-sama and let's go! It is getting late and the more you waste time tormenting him, the longer you have to endure our presences and shopping. And I know much you despise wasting time shopping."
Sesshomaru stared down into the small boat and grinned blithely at the two exquisite ladies waiting for him to ceased his chatting and get his ass down. He sighed aggrievedly and mused in his melodious voice, "Rin I am not hectoring Jaken, I am merely insinuating him what he has to do while we are away. Jaken, until later…"
He uncrossed his long legs and gracefully landed in the center of the small boat. He sat himself down besides Rin and was sitting across from Kagura. They all looked up and saw Jaken staring down at them. Rin stood up and remarked whole heartedly, "We will be back later Jaken-sama! Please don't get eaten by a youkai while we are gone!" Sesshomaru grunted under his breath, he wrapped his arms around her waist and made her take her seat again.
"What happened to "we are wasting time" Rin? Both of you just sit back and let me get us to Nassau's port." The annoyed pirate took hold of the oars and began rowing them to shore with ease. Usually he would have had someone else doing this job, but since he just wanted to take Rin and Kagura to Nassau himself, he would humiliate himself doing this chore this one time.
It took about ten minutes for Sesshomaru to get them tied up on a post and into the port of Nassau. It would have been seven minutes if Rin had not almost fallen into the water for trying to touch a ray that was swimming besides them. Sesshomaru leaped out of the boat and one by one helped both ladies out of the diminutive boat and onto the dock. Rin shifted her feet in anxiety, she hadn't been on land for a few weeks and she was thrilled to be back on solid soil. Kagura on the other hand had trouble standing, she was so use to being out in the open sea and the sudden change of element made her feel out of place.
Sesshomaru locked arms with both women and lead them forward from the decks and into the busy streets of Nassau. Once the fashion stores came into sight, both Rin and Kagura escaped from Sesshomaru's side and ran into the massive stores. Sesshomaru gradually made his way after them; he was not in the least bit hurried. He entered the store and saw both his love and his love's teacher getting measured for their dresses. Without much choice, Sesshomaru stood to the side trying not to get in the way. The store was busy, youkai females, ningen women and hanyou females were getting their measurements taken as well.
Why didn't we come earlier? Rin was correct, I should not have been hectoring Jaken; I wasted too much time when I was taunting him. By the looks of things, I am going to be stuck here for at least an hour. And after they get their dresses, this will not be the last store they drag me into. Next they will go get tailored petticoats, then after that their bodice and then their shoes! I should have had Jaken come with them instead of me. Damn the next store they want to go into, I will just give them the money and head out, but I will be sure to stay in close reach in case anyone tries to do anything to them.
Realizing the only thing he could do to make the time pass by quicker, Sesshomaru began meditating about Inuyasha. It was either meditating or observing a bunch of women gossiping about girly things. And he had heard enough girly things from Rin and Kagura's mouth in the past four months. The sovereign pirate leaned against the wall and folded his arms across his chest serenely. His thoughts began traveling back to what he had conjured up a few nights ago while he had been seated on top of the maintop in solitude.
The plan he had conjured up seemed to be missing something. Something he could not quite put his claw on, he had thought hard over the missing element his plan needed, but he could not find it. It irked him, he needed to know what the missing thing was so he could perfect it to use against his younger brother. What unsettled him in the middle of the day while he slept, was the possibility that Inuyasha could perhaps have conjured up a brilliant strategy and he had nothing that satisfied him to use during their engagement of battle.
Nothing, I have absolutely nothing that satisfies me to use against Inuyasha when I fight him. Hn, let me see, we are to engage in battle on the island of Tortuga. We both spent part of our adolescences on the island, meaning we both know our way around it. I wonder if our old manor still stands there. Why am I wondering about that, when I need to focus? Ah I am just going to have to use my head when the time comes. Whether the battle will be on sea or land, it will end the same.
Sesshomaru was pulled from his thoughts when Rin came running over to him tugging his sleeve. He stared up at her with impassive eyes and arched an eyebrow in question. Rin smiled compassionately, she could tell her love was depleted from the neglect of sleep. His skin was a diaphanous pale, she could make out his veins underneath his delicate flesh. His breaths were a bit off its usual cadence. Rin had never seen Sesshomaru look so hackneyed before. She frowned meticulously; she ran her fingers through his hair yanking the ribbon loose from his hair causing his long tresses to fall loose behind his back.
She kissed his cheek and whispered benignly, "Sesshomaru, I have never seen you look so worn out before in all the time I have known you. Do you feel well, because if you don't Kagura and I can send for Jaken to escort you back to the ship while we remain here and conclude our shopping?" Sesshomaru grasped her warm hand and rubbed it against his cheek.
He purred softly and informed, "I am fine Rin, please do not worry about me. I promised you I would bring you to Nassau to shop and I attend to keep my word. If I did not, then you would think me a liar and we both know I am not a liar. A malevolent killer yes my darling, but not a lair. Have you both gotten what you wanted from here Rin so I can pay fro your dresses?" Rin smiled falsely, she had to. She knew very well that her Sesshomaru was not fine. He was exhausted and he was in no conditions to be out here in middle of broad daylight pleasing her at the risk of his own welfare.
Sesshomaru nuzzled her cheek and nibbled her collarbone, causing the little girl to giggle genially. Rin kissed Sesshomaru's lips before she pulled away from him. He sighed tiredly, but stood up and walked besides her to where Kagura was holding the dresses. Sesshomaru paid for elegant dresses and the three of them left to the next store. Kagura and Rin ran from store to store while Sesshomaru handed them the money and waited for them outside.
As he waited out side the stores with some tolerance that he managed to muster from the lack of sleep, he kept his ears alert for any news he heard from the local sailors about a hanyou pirate named Inuyasha or his ship the Shikon no Tama. It took almost three hours and thirty-three minutes to hear two sailors mention his brother's name. Sesshomaru was stationed outside a store called the Fleur-de-lis a French boutique that Rin and Kagura where in. they pasted him pass muttering quietly. At first Sesshomaru had thought it was his mind making things up, but it was real.
Sesshomaru hesitated a moment before following after them. He still had Rin and Kagura to worry about and leaving them behind was a very stupid thing if he did, but he needed to know where Inuyasha was and what they had to say about him. Atoned, Sesshomaru was aware that no one was vacuous enough to try to do anything to his women while he was attending to business. He would have to just make things quick and return once he found out what he needed.
When the two men enter a local tavern to the northern part of the town, Sesshomaru made his move. He went after them but before he entered the tavern, he took off his cassock and loosed the red silk around his neck. He fixed his hair so it hung down his back and swayed freely to his ankles. He pulled some tresses to in front side and was ready. He held onto his cassock and entered the tavern insipidly. He took a seat a few tables away from the two men who had not noticed him.
He crosses his legs and sat with one hand on the table and the other resting upon his pistol. His back was to the wall making it the ideal way to protect himself from a rear attack. A young woman who looked to around her early twenties swayed over to where Sesshomaru sat glancing at the two men. She smiled warmly and said, "Bon jour sir, what may I get you today? Perhaps a bottle of cognac, rum, beer, moonshine, wine, or maybe some sake?" Sesshomaru glanced away from the men and faced her. He tilted his head to the side and replied, "A glass of red wine, bring the bottle." She inclined her head and left to retrieve his bottle of liquor.
Once more he resumed to hear what they were saying about Inuyasha. He sat completely still, his left hand digging into the wood of the table from anxiety.
"Again that bastard pirate captain named Inuyasha has struck again. This time he went after a Spanish galleon that was commanded by Spain's best privateer of the Spanish Armada. I believe his name was Kouga, yes I can bet my life that his name was Kouga. The bastard Inuyasha left him on his galleon for dead. The good thing was that he was rescued by a passing by merchant ship. I heard he have returned to Spain and now the Spanish government has sent its armada after the disgusting hanyou to bring to justice."
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes dangerously, so the hanyou had gotten himself into unnecessary troubled had he? And now the Spanish armada was after his brother, Sesshomaru felt a medley of emotions. The strongest emotion from the rest was worriment. For some reason, he felt troubled for his brother, which was strange considering they were both in a sibling war. Sesshomaru was startled out of his thoughts when the young girl brought him his bottle of red and a crystal glass. He paid her and her leave him.
He poured some wine into his glass and swirled it before drinking from it. His attention went back to the two men and their conversation. He leaned forward with his fingers laced under his chin while he pretended to be looking outside the window, but from the corner of his eye, he kept a close watch over the two humans.
"So this pirate bastard named Inuyasha has the Spanish Armada after his tail, does anyone no where he is located during this time? If it was here in the Caribbean where he attacked the galleon, then I would think he would have fled for his life. I would also presume he is a chicken and the only reason why people fear him is because of his brother, Captain Blood. Now that pirate one should fear, but not that little brat of a brother of his."
"Hn, yes I agree. But I also must say that the Spanish Armada should cease their looking. I heard the other day that Captain Blood and Captain Nobel both have blood between them and that they wish to exterminate one or the other. Meaning that the Spanish should let them kill each other off. That way two worthless pirates would die and no one else would have to dirty their hands from the cursed blood. I believe the filthy hanyou resigns in Port Royal for the time being. He was first stationed on the island of Tortuga, but moved for some strange reason."
"That is strange, why would he change islands? Something seems strange, you know. I heard that Noble sent for his brother Blood to settle things between them. Who do you presume would win in that brawl?"
"Blood, there is no doubt that Blood would not kill his brother with those elegant skills he is renowned for. The hanyou would not last thirty minutes against his brother in a battle on the sea, but he sure as hell would not last ten minutes against Blood while using swords."
"Is Nobel that pathetic? I would have thought him to be an excellent pirate captain considering who he is son to and brother to. Was his father not the great pirate captain Bloodhound?"
"Yes Bloodhound was his nickname that he went by. I would have expected for him to do better, but he is a sorry excuse for a pirate. I curse him to hell and back. Come we must finish our duties before we head for sea this afternoon."
Sesshomaru grated his teeth, never in his life had he felt so displeased before. How dare these vile disgusting humans insult his brother and their family's name in such a disgraceful manner? He watched them leave the tavern with enmity gleaming golden eyes. He finished his glass of red wine and simply left. He slipped on his cassock and grabbed his hair out of his face only leave the few strands that rested against the sides of his face. Before he headed back to greet Rin and Kagura, he had to discard of those grotesque humans who had offended Inuyasha and himself. Sesshomaru summoned his yokai and he went after them.
He knew how this confrontation would be concluded. He would slaughter them in cold blood; he would not give them the chance to scream out in agony. He closed the gulf between them and in a blink of an eye; he snatched them both by the neck and threw them into a deserted alleyway behind a tavern. Both men had no idea what would come next. Sesshomaru launched forward with his claws drawn and he slashed their throats. Instantly both men collapsed forward already dead.
Disgusted with the malevolent blood on his hands, Sesshomaru wiped them clean on a hanging cotton sheet in the alleyway. He kicked both bastards hard causing their inner organs to explode from the harsh impact of his brutal strength. Sesshomaru growled still finding him self to be peeved. He took a deep breath and his searing nerves calmed down. He sighed disturbed with him self and for what he had heard. The exhausted pirate Blood walked down the busy streets of Nassau with an impassive mask set upon his face.
Before he had left the alleyway, he had cleaned him self from any droplets of stray blood that had managed to jump him. When he found none, he grabbed all his hair and fixed both his cassock and red silk ribbon until he looked presentable to greet the girls. It did not take long to see both Rin and Kagura waiting impatiently for him outside the boutique he had left them in. He smiled vaguely and questioned saccharinely, "Done so soon ladies? I would have thought you would take another hour or soon in this boutique, but I presume I was wrong. Will that be all for the day or are there more stores to attend to before this shopping day is completed?"
Rin and Kagura exchanged meaningful looks. They had a feeling Sesshomaru was up to something or rather had done something considering his smile and expression, but maybe it was just their imagination playing tricks on them. Rin smiled with content and replied, "Of course we still have more to shop for Sesshomaru; this was just the fifth store we enter this morning. There is what, three more stores left and then we can go. Just have a little more patience my love. It will be over soon. Oh Kagura look over there across the street, parasols and fans! Sesshomaru we will be back! Come and then we can go into that other store down the street where they sell those new shoes from France."
Sesshomaru watched as both girls crossed the busy street to rush into the chic store. He continued to wear his smile, but once they went inside, it vanished and was replaced with a depressed frown. He hoped his counterfeit smile and over saccharine voice had not given him away for what he had done.
If Rin were to have found out, she would never let him live it down. She would howl angrily at him for slaughtering to two men who she thought deserved to live. Sesshomaru crossed the street deciding to wait for both girls to conclude their extensive shopping in this store as not to leave them along again.
They took longer then what was deemed necessary inside the trinket store, he had waited almost an hour until they emerged with four slender rectangular boxes and two smaller rectangular boxes that he presumed where the fans were housed while the longer ones held the parasols.
Staring down at the fine boxes, he realized how much money he was spending on just this shopping trip alone. The amount of money was not what disturbed him; it was the plain fact when they were buying things. On this matter Sesshomaru knew Kagura stood corrected, they were in the middle of a hunt for a certain hanyou, not a damn fashion show. He released an exhausted breath, he told himself that there were only three more stores and that this whole day would be over, then he could go back onboard his ship and rest until night fall...which was only five hours away.
Had they honestly spent the whole damn day shopping in Nassau? Sesshomaru shook his head in total disbelief; to him it had seemed much longer. Ahead of him, Rin and Kagura continued chatting brightly about what they planned to purchase in the other stores that awaited them. He lingered behind them keeping his eyes fixed on them as not to loose sight from both girls.
Both girls rushed into the stores and ninety minutes later emerged with multiple shaped boxes of different colors that contained shoes, satin gloves, jewelry, stockings, ribbons, more dresses, corsets, perfumes, lotions, hats, petticoats, and elegant fabrics. Sesshomaru's impassive eyes widen a fraction at all the boxes that they held and then down at the things he was holding.
There was no way in hell all these things would fit into the small boat they had come in. Rin ran up to him and grinned, "Sesshomaru-sama now we can go home! Kagura and I have concluded our fine day of shopping. Thank you so much my love, you have made me so happy! Now I wouldn't be caught with last session's fashion and it was all thanks to you Sesshy! I love…um Sesshomaru how exactly are we going to fit all of these things into the boat?"
"Yes captain, how are we going to fit all these lovely things into that small boat of ours? We, I mean you spent good money on these fine things, we cannot simply leave them behind." Kagura was teasing Sesshomaru, she enjoyed to get her captain annoyed, but with limit. She knew he would not hesitate to teach her a lesson if she pushed him too far with her taunts. Sesshomaru glared at her with darkening eyes, he grunted mutely, but loud enough for them to hear him.
"Hn, how else are we going to get these things back onboard the ship? You two will have to take part of the things while I resign here on the dock with the other half on the things waiting for that first mate of mine to get over here and help me. You will remain on the ship and get your things organized in your private quarters, now go. You two can handle this correct?"
Rin and Kagura both gave him a mockingly lurid look. Both turned to face each other and giggled elated. Sesshomaru stood still with an apathetical frown, he grunted as to catch their attention. His young wench and the wind demoness ceased their laughter and said in unison, "Of course we are capable of rowing a small boat Sesshomaru! You taught us how, now don't worry that pretty little head of yours, we will send Jaken to help you. See you soon." Rin kissed him on the lips before gathering what she and Kagura could manage to fit into the boat and rowed off from the port of Nassau.
Something within his bones told him that he would have to wait a very long time before they sent Jaken with another boat to help him. He growled minutely, he would never get the rest he required to obtain. The last five nights that they had been stationed in the Bahamas, he and his crew had captured five ships and cargo worth thousands. During this time, he had denied himself sleep as he needed to be wide awake considering they were now in the Caribbean and only a few miles away from Tortuga.
Sesshomaru set down the remaining things and watched the tranquil sea. It was a good day to fight and die, but instead of fighting and dying, he was stuck on the dock of Nassau waiting for his first mate to come for him with a boat. He grunted in irritation, he had better things to do then to be here, but he was bound to his word. He had promised his young wench that he would take here to shop and he had complied with his word. Now only if she would comply with hers and send for Jaken and let him rest.
Seconds turned to minutes, minutes turned to an extensive hour with no signs of Jaken or Rin coming. The only companionship the pirate had at that moment was the cool zephyr breezes of the west. By the way the sun was setting to the west; it looked to be somewhere around three or four in the afternoon and still there was no sign of Rin. He was about to steal a boat when finally Jaken appeared. He sighed restlessly and cracked his knuckles; he planned to beat the little green toad for making his wait out in the hot sun for such a long time. Jaken tied the boat and climbed out, he inclined his head, but Sesshomaru whacked him over the head and smirked smugly.
"What took you so long Jaken? And where is Rin?" Sesshomaru fixed his cassock and stepped over Jaken to get to the boat. Jaken picked himself up from the ground and stood up. "I am terribly sorry Captain, but Mistress Rin and Lady Kagura made me help them get all their things organized into their closets. I pleaded to them to let me go so I could come to your much needed aid, but they had said they needed my assistance more then you captain."
"Hn, it does not matter that I had to wait as long as Rin is pleased. She is pleased is she not Jaken?" Sesshomaru sat himself down in the boat with his long legs crossed and his gaze fixed to the open sea. What he had had said held a doubling meaning to them. Was she happy with him, or did she just pretend to be content while she was around him? Did she enjoy his affections, his caring kisses, his charming words; did any of what he did mean anything to her? Jaken began packing things neatly into the boat until everything was in and they headed back to the Midnight Assassin.
"Um yes I presume she is happy captain with all the wonderful things you bought her today. Why on earth would she not be pleased Blood, she has you by her side. She is a very lucky woman. You should have seen her just a few minutes ago; she was laughing contently and shouting that you loved you so much to buy her expensive things and everything you did for her was with love."
Sesshomaru remained silent, for some reason, everything felt like a turbulent lie. Nothing seemed real to him anymore, he sighed interminably and continued to stare out into the sea. They both remained silent as they approached the side of the ship. Even before nearing the ship, Sesshomaru stood up and said without looking back, "Have everything delivered to the girls and make sure they are content. If they require something else, give it to them. I will be up in the maintop on look out. Once you finish pleasing both girls, you are to steer us for Tortuga, we will not stop this night, we will continue throughout the hours of darkness until we arrive to our set destination Jaken."
He leaped up into the air in a mixture of silver and red, gracefully he landed on his ships' main deck and progressed to the maintop. He didn't need to look back to know Jaken was following his orders and would deliver everything to both women and please them.
Then after that was done he would navigate them to Sesshomaru's beloved Tortuga where faith awaited him. He jumped up into the air once more and landed elegantly on the maintop. He leaned against the mainmast pulling out his spying scope from thin air. The golden spying scope shimmered vividly in the bright sunlight. He searched the endless blanket of water to find him.
Nothing, absolutely nothing that was out on the sea caught his persnickety interest. Sesshomaru closed his spying scope and with a snap of his fingers the spying scope vanished, or rather went back to its wine red velvet case in his cabinet. He slide down the mainmast and rested against it in a seated position. His left leg laid flat on the floor of the maintop while his right leg was bent with his right arm resting upon his knee. Those majestic orbs of gold closed to the day and he rested his tired head against the pillar.
The tranquil crashes of the waves and gentle blowing winds sent the exhausted pirate to sleep to he had been promised. His breaths were even as a child, his head was tilted to the side and he continued to rest undisturbed. Down below, a lovely wench smiled placidly at her love and whispered, "I promised you I would not have anyone disturb you while you rested my dear. Now I will keep my promise…sleep well Sesshomaru, you truly do deserve it." Rin spun around on her heels and headed off to the helm where she personally planned to steer them to Tortuga while her love slept soundly.
When she climbed up the stairs to the quarter deck to reach the helm, Jaken and other youkais gawked at her with bewilderment. Her delicate features were set into determination, she gestured for Jaken to step aside and let her navigate. She arched her ebony rich eyebrow threatening to have Sesshomaru whip him if he did not step aside immediately and let her take over. No one wishing to have their backs whipped by the Cat-o'-nine-tails, they all moved aside and let the beautiful human girl take over the helm.
Rin smiled wickedly and said, "Our beloved captain rests upon the maintop, no one and I mean no one is to intrude his slumber for if anyone does, I will personally grab a hold of the tails and whip the hell out of you myself and I am not referring to an amusing sort of way. I might possibly have you killed for your disturbance of his sleep. Spread the word that there is to me no noise on the decks, everything must remain silent, but everyone will continue with their assigned duties. Now go forth and do what you have been told to do, Jaken you will stay here and assist me."
She took hold of the helm and began navigating them south-west bound. Jaken glanced up at the young mistress and muttered, "Did the captain allow you to take over the ship's navigation Rin? And how do you know he's asleep on top of the maintop, would he not be resting in his chambers?" Rin sighed and shook her head.
"The Captain did not give me exact orders to take over the navigation of this ship, but I am more then capable to sail us all to Tortuga Jaken-sama and I have Blood to thank for that. He taught me how to sail and everything else I know of a sailor's life on sea. And the only reason why I know he is up on the maintop sleeping is because I saw him up there and I also saw when he fell asleep. He needs to rest Jaken; all these multiple times we have done ransacking it has taken its brutal tolls on him. Like today, I have never seen him so tired before. Just have a little faith in me Jaken and I will get us to Tortuga safely. Um do you think I can get us pass Cuba by midnight if I hurry?"
"We will just have to see Rin, your skills of sailing will be the ones to tell us if you are indeed sea worthy to sail this magnificent ship of Blood's. But I presume if you are up to the challenge, you can get us pass Cuba and nearer to Tortuga. The sails are sent and the zephyr breezes are the ideal element to your successes, shall we then?"
Rin smiled brightly and exclaimed, "Yes, I am ready!" Rin steered the gigantic ship with ease pass Cuba that night, she had met her dead line of getting them pass Cuba by midnight. Five minutes after twelve o' clock struck, Sesshomaru awoke refreshed from his slumber and was greeted to the sight that his ship was running smoothly. He jumped from the maintop with grace and landed firmly upon his main deck. Gradually he glanced around and found the main deck deserted with only the ten o' clock watch about.
A figure that was too tall to be Jaken at the helm caught his attention immediately, if the green little toad had neglected his orders, Sesshomaru would sure as hell punish him. Slyly he made his way up to the quarter deck; he jumped over the railing and stood tall before the navigator of his ship. His eyes widen a fraction when he realized it was Rin, his Rin at the helm steering the ship!
"Rin what are you doing here steering the helm at this time of night? Did Jaken put you up to this so he could escape from his duties, where is he? I will teach him for making you work…"
"No Sesshomaru-sama I asked…um I threatened Jaken to let me navigate the ship. I told him you had taught me how to sail so I thought since you were asleep that I could sail the ship. I have been sailing the ship ever since you fell asleep which was…eight hours ago! Hah, how amusing that time went by so fast. How do you feel my love? You do not look as exhausted as you did this morning. I am glad to see that. Uh do you want me to let you take over now? Seeing as this is your ship my dear."
Sesshomaru smiled compassionately, he walked behind Rin and held her close to him as his hands slide down her arms and grasped her hands that were at the helm. He leaned forward and kissed the back of her neck and whispered seductively, "No we will both sail this ship together for this night my love. I am very proud of you Rin for sailing us all the way pass what seems to Cuba. You cannot image how much joy it brings me to see you my sweet to have accomplished such a large responsibility on your own. You are the most wonderful woman I have ever had the honor of meeting Rin. For that reason alone, I love you so much."
Rin's cheeks burned a deep red, she had heard him say complimentary words before, but never had he said, "I love you."; although he had show her his affections for her countless of times before. His desiring words seared through her body, she glanced over her shoulder and met those suave golden orbs she had fallen in love with since they had first met on the auction block. She raised her head upwards pleading for his sensuous lips to kiss her. Knowing what she meant, Sesshomaru lowered his head and kissed her harmoniously with all the passion he could summon from the depths of him self. He pulled away from her tender lips; he nuzzled his cheek against her neck and stared out to the sea.
"Sesshomaru, so does this mean you are going to make me your beloved mate? Oh I knew you would finally like the idea! Um, so how does the process of mating happen any ways?" Rin stared up at Sesshomaru, he's impassive mask vanished and he looked completely dumbfounded. He took a few steps back from her and continued to stare at her with bewildered eyes. He shook his head and implied, "Rin no, I meant I do love you, but I will not have you as my mate. It would not be allowed, well it could be done, but I won't allow it to occur. I told you many times before you and I can only be sweet hearts, but mating means…it means going to bed. Also you must stay with your own kind and I with my own."
Rin turned around and faced him head on. She kept her right hand on the helm, while her left hand tucked back her loose strands of hair behind her ear. Rin's eyes gleamed with lust; she did not plan on losing this argument yet again. "Why do you reject me so Sesshomaru? Can you not just bend the rules this once and take me for your mate, I want to bare your children, and I want to see you smiling lively. Please, I would do whatever you tell me to do my love. Anything, I am at your disposal." She reached out a trembling hand and brushed her finger tip up his chest.
Sesshomaru adverted his gaze; he could not comply with this sort of thing she requested from him. Before, he had thought long and hard of converting Rin into his mate, but while he had considered it; he realized it was a bad idea. The reason for rejecting her was not that he was disgusted with the fact that his children would be hanyous, but she would most likely not live long enough to see her first child for the high risk of dying while giving birth to the hanyou child. The thought of loosing both Rin and his future child in such a manner sickened him.
"No Rin, I won't allow it. I will not loose you or a child while giving birth. Just erase those frivolous thoughts from your mind, for that is something I could never give you my dear. I could by no means put upon you the burden of carrying my children Rin. You should go get some rest; I will take over the navigations for the rest of the night." Rin plead one last time with her innocent chestnut eyes, but realizing Sesshomaru would hear no more of this topic, she gave up. She smiled slightly, but it dissipated and tears of sadness came from her eyes. She absconded from him, he watched her go with poignant eyes; it was his fault she cried.
He forced him self to look away, now was not the time to let his mixed emotions get in his way. He had more important things to worry about at the moment. They were nearing Tortuga. Sesshomaru sighed exasperatedly at himself for causing the young girl to cry, but it had to be done. While Sesshomaru sailed his ship and thought over what he heard that morning in Nassau, Inuyasha had his own problems to deal with.
May 3, 1685 at that exact moment…
'Being held captive'
Inuyasha had to think of something fast or else he was going to loose the one thing that was reserved for his brother to take. Alas nothing intelligent came to his mind, but something emerged from the dark depths of his wick mind and it was about to save his life. The neko youkai named Sayuri was still dancing on Inuyasha's lap and causing him to feel more uncomfortable by the second. Naomi was licking Inuyasha's chest and lapped her tongue inside the hanyou's navel. Miyako and Shinji were licking his neck and planting saccharine kisses all over his body.
What he decided to do was very simple and very sly. He just hoped they fell for it, this was his only choice. Inuyasha licked his lips and moaned unrepentantly. He nuzzled his cold cheek against Miyako's neck then to Shinji's neck. All four girls looked down at the hanyou with satisfaction, now things were about to get interesting since he was participating without hassle.
This had better work, if not, then I am just going to have to use brawls over brains. Yes that works much better with me, but I have to try this first strategy first. And then once I escape from here, I'm going to kill Miroku!
"Argh, must you continue to have me chained up in such an inappropriate fashion? Do you not trust me enough to have me feel your delicate flesh underneath mine girls? Hn, get a man content for a few minutes of his life and then you slither your selves free from going any further. That is not very polite of you girls if that is what you plan to do to me tonight." Inuyasha nipped Shinji's earlobe and licked the side of her slender neck.
"Ah Sayuri, he is going to be a good little boy, can we not release him? Image it, we can all have some fun with him and he would enjoy it." Miyako purred; all the girls were enjoying Inuyasha's change in attitude. So far it would seem to Inuyasha they suspected nothing.
"Hm, I don't know. What if he is just playing us so we can release him and then he makes a run for it?" Sayuri stopped what she was doing and played her hands on Inuyasha's inner thighs and gave them a small squeeze. Damn, damn, damn, okay I have got to calm down, I just have to gain their trust and I will be set free and then I can make a run for it.
"Hn, so you ladies don't trust me, do you? I will have you all know I maybe a murdering pirate, but I am no damn liar. I play tricks, but never do I lie. Please ladies, do you not want to have fun with this specific pirate captain; because I was quite looking forward to getting to know the four of you in a more interment way. But seeing as you refuse having anything to do with me…"
All four girls leaped onto Inuyasha and began tugging at his ebony hair, kissing and nibbling on his lips, and rubbing themselves against his body. This was not what he had had in mind that would happen when he had planned to say those words, but he would do mostly anything to get himself free. Naomi entangled her fingers into his hair and kissed him deeply causing Inuyasha to feel dizzy from revulsion. Miyako used her claws and set his hands free, Shinji undid the ropes that bounded his legs and Sayuri removed the rope from around his waist. As she did this, she spread Inuyasha's legs apart and began to caresses his inner thighs yet again.
I just need to hold a bit more and then I can run. I need to play along for only a few seconds then…the balcony? Could I escape from there, I will save that for my last resource. The doors leading to the hallway would be blocked immediately even before I could make a run for them. My options are the doors or the balcony. Shit the balcony's my only choice…or maybe not. Let's see how smart these girls are.
Inuyasha sat himself up; he grabbed the girl named Miyako by the hair and teased her that he was going to kiss her. He pulled away and brushed his lips against the other girl named Shinji's cheek; he looked over her shoulder and saw his escape. He just needed to keep up this little charade for a bit longer then he could escape. Next he pulled Naomi and Sayuri by the front side of their dresses and licked their shoulder bones with skill. He felt disgusted with himself for doing this to the four women in such a disgracefully manner, but he had nothing else up his sleeve.
He pushed them away from his lips and laid them down on the bed. All four girls seemed to be under his spell; he smirked smugly and decided this was his chance. He got himself to his knees and pretended he was going in for the kill, when he jumped from the bed and made a run for the balcony. His attention went to his clothing and his sword that where all over the floor, he growled angrily. Inuyasha snatched up all his belongings and swung open the double doors leading to the balcony. All this occurred in less than a minute.
When Inuyasha had leaped from the bed, all four girls had broken free from his seductive spell and went after him. Inuyasha didn't dare look over his shoulder; he slipped on his jacket and jumped over the railing of the second floor balcony. He fell gracefully through the air and landed without hassle to the ground. Inuyasha pulled on his boots and ran for it. If he presumed well enough, he knew these girls would go after him and try to get him back to bed.
He ran to the iron gates, they were locked. Shit, was the only thing he could say, he dressed himself fast before climbing up the iron gates and dropped down onto the other side of liberation. He lost his balance and fell face first into the ground. Pain throbbed throughout his entire body, but he had to keep running. Inuyasha looked over his shoulder and saw that the four females were running after him. Not wanting to go through the same hell he had just experienced, he picked him self up and continued to run.
The hanyou ran down the dirt road he knew would lead him back to the city of Port Royal, he stumbled five times while he run, but each time he fell, he collected himself and continued to run without stopping. He could see the lights from a tavern; he was nearing the city now. Inuyasha grabbed his hair and dashed into an alleyway he recognized that would direct him to the docks. Loud foot steps where heard behind him, the females were closing the gulf between him.
No, I can't let them get me again! I am so close to the docks, I can't get caught again!
The docks came to view and who should be greeting Inuyasha next to their small boat, but none other then the hentai houshi that had signed away his virtue to four whores that had almost succeeded! Inuyasha was out of breath when he ran down the dock way and came to a haut before Miroku. He was about to utter something foul to the monk, when he heard the women screaming after him. Inuyasha grabbed Miroku by the front of his shirt and threw him into the boat. Inuyasha leaped elegantly into the boat and began rowing for his life.
Miroku helped Inuyasha row, they left the harbor and four sexual deranged women behind them and hopefully from their lives as well. Inuyasha stopped rowing and buried his face in his hands. Miroku took the oar Inuyasha had been using and rowed them to the side of the ship.
"Inuyasha, are you all right? You do not look too well; did they go too hard on you?" Miroku stared contently at his captain, Inuyasha looked up from his hands and snapped, "How the hell could you pay four women to try to rape me?! What slithered into that perverted little mind of yours to conjure up something this violent before? I have never been this disgusted with myself or with the entire population of women before. You went too far Miroku." Inuyasha looked away, not wanting to look into the eyes of the man, who was supposed to be his first mate.
"Inuyasha, look on the bright side though. Nothing occurred to you, you are still unblemished. Cheer up, it was a little jest I conjured up the other night." Miroku pulled up sides the Shikon no Tama, Kagome and Kikyou looked over the railing and smiled. They lowered the ladder rope and dropped down the other ropes so Miroku could tie the ends of the rope to the boat so they could lift in out of the water. Inuyasha stood up and somehow managed to jump up and land firmly onto his deck.
He left Kikyou and Kagome to deal with Miroku, for now he had other things to worry about. Shippou, Kohaku and Kirara climbed down the ratlines of the rigging and headed down to the hold. Inuyasha was about to go into his cabinet when he felt the urge to look out to the sea. Something was on the horizon, he could not clearly tell what it was, but he knew it was something large. Inuyasha walked up to the quarter deck and pulled out his spying scope from the inside of his jacket.
He looked through the glass and realized the object was a ship, a majestic ship at that. He squinted his right eye to get a better view of the ship, but couldn't tell whose ship it belonged to. Inuyasha pulled away the spying glass from his eye; he loosed the ribbon around his neck and fixed the collar of his jacket. For some reason he felt compelled to do so. Miroku climbed up the stairs of the quarter deck and stood besides his captain.
"Inuyasha whose ship is it? It looks too extravagate to belong to any common man, or pirate…you don't suppose it is your grand guest you have been waiting for?" Miroku saw the mixture of emotions play across Inuyasha's pale face. He was anxious, he could tell the ship was getting closer, but it was heading in the direction of Tortuga?
His eyes widen frantically, he looked through the spying scope and saw the person he had dreamed countless of nights for. A silver haired pirate with red silk around his neck and glowing pale skin was looking through his own spying scope as well. He also stared at Inuyasha and his ship. Inuyasha's hands dropped the spying scope causing it to fall to the oak deck and the glass of the scope to shatter. He took a step back; Miroku looked at his captain then to the ship out on the horizon.
Miroku drew his own spying scope and saw the same thing Inuyasha had seen. Inuyasha looked down at his hands and realized he was still in his human form. I can't let him see me in my human form. What the hell do I use to cover my hair…I will just have to grab it and pry he doesn't see it.
Inuyasha's trembling hands went to his hair and grabbed it. His gaze was transfixed to the black ship that headed for Tortuga. His voice was a mere whisper as he said, "Sesshomaru…you have found me. You are indeed a youkai of your word. Now war will break out between the two of us once we arrive in Tortuga…" Inuyasha dropped his hands to the side, his heart began to exhilarate to an unbelievable rate; he felt his blood run cold. This was it; this was where things would be settled.
On Sesshomaru's ship at the exact moment…
Sesshomaru stared into his spying scope with a deeply amused smirk upon his lips. He was grasping his spying scope so hard that his knuckles turned white. Finally after weeks of traveling, he had caught up with his brother Inuyasha. From what he was seeing through the glass, Inuyasha looked bewildered to see him, did the hanyou truly think he would not come to settle things between the two of them? Sesshomaru pulled the glass from his eyes and closed it. Just as before, with a snap of his fingers the spying scope returned to its red velvet incasing back in his cabinet.
He walked to the helm and continued to smile, only what baffled him the most was, the smile was of ecstasy. But why would he be smiling with contentment, would it not been more appropriate to me smiling with malevolence rather? Sesshomaru was startled out of his thoughts when Jaken came running up the steps of the quarter deck yelling his head off in fear.
"Captain, captain! It is your brother's ship, the Shikon no Tama! What do we do, what in the bloody hell do we do? Should I get the crew up and ready to fight, or should I-" Sesshomaru whacked Jaken across the head silencing him. He straightened himself up and continued to stare at Inuyasha's ship while steering his own.
"I am aware it is Inuyasha's ship the Shikon no Tama. Destiny and faith have finally brought us together Jaken…I have been waiting for this day for many years now. Inuyasha …Jaken, you will awaken the crew when I give the order, for now I will sail us to Tortuga, nothing will happen just yet. The true entertainment will occur when we enter the harbor of Tortuga; then things will literally explode. Awaken Rin, take her to Kagura and have both girls stay clear out of the soon battle. Now go." Jaken scratched the top of his head in bafflement, but not wanting to get hit on the head again, he scurried off to do as he was told. Sesshomaru smiled wickedly, he felt his blood run through his veins with excitement.
Sesshomaru held onto the helm with an iron grip, he lowered his head for a moment before looking back up with a desiring smile fixed upon his lips. "Inuyasha we finally meet again after fifty years of avoiding each other. It has been too long since we last gazed into each other's eyes...Now the race is on brother dearest, you had best get a hold of yourself and start racing to Tortuga…for that is where the real fun will begin. I can only hope you have improved your fighting skills to present to me a decent brawl brother."
Back on the Shikon no Tama…
Inuyasha snapped himself out of his trance. He ran to the helm and began steering them to Tortuga with anxiety clearly written all over his drop dead gorgeous face. Miroku ran besides him and said, "Inuyasha what are your orders? Shall we open fire now or should we-" Inuyasha raised one finger and shook his head.
"No Miroku, no one will do anything until I give the order. But have everyone ready for their battle stations. It is three in the morning, if the winds of the west are generous to us this dawn, we will both make it to Tortuga by six in the morning. I know Sesshomaru he will not open fire until we enter the harbor of Tortuga. I trust him, and I know he trusts me to be a man of my word. Miroku, why am I still in my human form if I just saw…"
"Correction Inuyasha, you saw Sesshomaru from a distance, not face to face. There is a difference captain."
Inuyasha lowered his head and muttered softly, "Miroku, I am still a damn human. Sesshomaru will leave if he sees me in my human form. He will not kill me in this state; he has too much honor to slay his pathetic brother in his weak form. He plans to kill his hanyou brother, not his human brother Miroku. What am I to do, I cannot have him see me like this. I do not know if I could bear to see him sail away from me once again. Please help me Miroku and if you do, we will call it even from what you did to me back in Port Royal. Deal?"
Miroku smiled contently and said smugly, "You have yourself a deal Inuyasha, but I still say you should have gone for it. That was probably your last chance of getting-"
Inuyasha tried to growl, although his useless attempt to growl failed him miserably, his gray eyes made up for that. He glared at his first mate menacingly and said through grated teeth, "Miroku now is not the damn time to be talking of stupid things, right now is the time where you are supposed to help me so I can face my brother and tell him how I feel about him! Now start thinking before I snap your neck and then we can call things even!"
Miroku arched his eyebrow in amusement; he sighed placidly and began to follow orders. He would pardon Inuyasha for his insult behavior considering the great stress his captain was under at the moment. The houshi began to ponder all the possibilities that could be done about this dilemma, than a warm smile spread across his face as he came up with a decent idea. He faced his captain and said, "Inuyasha I have the answer, but we need to get you into the lower hall. There is just one problem though; we need someone to dress up like you…"
"Miroku what is that perplexed mind of yours coming up with? We don't have time to for dress up and hide and go seek! I have my damn brother to keep an eye on and I have to figure out how I am supposed to act while I am around him!" Inuyasha's knuckles went bone white, he lowered his head causing his ebony tresses to shield his face from his first mate. Nothing is going smoothly; I am going to make myself look like a fool in front of my perfect brother. Miroku placed a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder and whispered, "Have faith in me Inuyasha. I promise you this whole ordeal will have a somewhat decent ending…or beginning. Hell who is to knows, maybe Sesshomaru will have you by his side and-"
"Miroku, that is quite enough. I thank you for trying to cheer me up…just go get a damn replacement and he had better look like me! And go get whatever you plan to use on me so Sesshomaru doesn't notice I am in my human form." Inuyasha smile wearily at his friend, his heart continued to palpitate against his ribs. Miroku nodded his head and implied, "Just hold on a little longer Inuyasha, you and Sesshomaru will see each other and talk. And I have the perfect replacement that will double for you. Wait here while I get what we need." Miroku jumped over the railing and ran down the stairs of the lower hold to find Inuyasha's ideal replacement.
A worried sick hanyou was left all alone on the quarter deck; his only companionship was the wind, the dark early morning sky, his ship and his handsome brother…not bad company now that he thought about it. His anxiety died down a bit, but he was still agitated. Inuyasha waited for Miroku to return, but while he waited, both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha sailed as fast as they could to Tortuga; each stunning brother looking to the side to see how far the other one was ahead of the other.
The sun was beginning to rise from the east casting long shadows and erasing the darkness. Now that dawn approached, both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru could see the other clearly. Inuyasha held his breath when he saw Sesshomaru standing tall in all his glory. His long silver hair swaying in the cold morning winds and the way he held himself up with the greatest poise. What stunned Inuyasha the most was, Sesshomaru was smiling at him. At first he had thought it was his imagination, but it was no illusion. The great pirate youkai was smiling majestically.
Damn how will I ever be able to concentrate of fighting with him looking so attractive? Oh god this is going to be one long battle…
-End Chapter-
A/N: finally they meet up! Sorry I didn't post like I said I was going to yesterday. I hope you liked this chapter and please review. I promise I'll have the next chapter up soon. Bye.