A/N: I am really hoping to complete this story so I can finally begin the following Fandom I've had planned for awhile, (Which is the Sequel to this current story!) But anyway, as to answer Aya Harushino's question on as to why I had changed the title, I must say that I found that the previous name hadn't fit what I had planned for future projects, so I decided to change it. Lastly, I really hope you enjoy it and give me some feedback so I know what you think!
Chapter 7
I felt so peaceful, almost as if I had been gliding into the horizon on a gentle cloud, one elevated above the many people living on Earth. I was in a state of mind that was incredibly relaxing and calm, that I never wanted to leave, but at some point, all good things must come to an end.
The sound of crackling fire was nearing, as time passed on, I was closer to consciousness as I stirred, rolling my head onto its side as my hand felt a thin blanket resting upon my body. I noticed my hair and clothing were no longer damp, as I guessed that I was dressed in a different set of regalia, the material quite heavy.
I moved my head towards my face, my fingers grazing upon my eyes and nose, then trailing downwards to my lips until reaching my chest.
The pain had receded long ago. Breathing was easier now, the feeling of an immense weight upon my shoulders lifted. I found myself attempting to find the answer to the mysterious incident that had occurred in the forest beside the river. However, I knew that with the many hours of contemplation within myself, the question would remain unsolved.
I opened my eyes seeing that the room was covered in darkness, the flicker of the fire dancing upon the walls. Lying beside my bed, Rin slept in which I could consider to be the most uncomfortable position one could imagine.
It seemed at how she had fallen asleep, that she had been watching over me the entire night with no intention of leaving my side. When reaching over and covering her small figure with a blanket, her eyes opened in a groggily manner and closed before she became completely aware.
"Lady Kikyo has finally awakened!" She said in a somewhat scratchy manner, her hair falling messily into her face as she clutched the blanket tighter. "I was afraid that you weren't going to wake up ever!"
She smiled at me and threw her arms around my neck, hugging with much strength. I returned the gesture then asked her to assist in helping me sit up in bed as I still was unable to move much.
"How did I get back?" I asked, resting my hands upon my lap as I spoke.
Rin repositioned herself on top of the futon after she placed another log onto the fireplace in the middle of the room. From up close I could clearly notice how exhausted she was. Dark circles were seen underneath her eyes, the lines growing larger every time she smiled. Her brown hair was in a disorderly manner, seeming to appear as if she hadn't bathed in days. Smudges of dirt stained her face and hands, most likely from feeding the fire throughout the night.
"Lord Sesshomaru brought you back," She replied, "I thought you left until Lord Sesshomaru carried you to the castle."
I was slightly taken back at that moment, somewhat skeptical, as I was unable to picture that someone as Lord Sesshomaru could have returned me to the castle. I glanced over at Rin who seemed unquestionable at the subject as if she presumed that Lord Sesshomaru was kind to all humans.
"How long have I been asleep?" I asked, the darkness outside slowly fading as time passed.
Rin sat silently for several moments before answering with an innocent, child-like smile upon her face. "You've been asleep for about three days," She explained, "You must have been really tired!"
I sat there in silence, astonished as to know at how long I had slept. I found that all of this was extremely absurd, not certain as to how this all was happening. However, I knew that at the end of all of this, the answers would surface one way or another.
The sliding paper door slightly opened, revealing Jaken who seemed to be in worse shape than I currently was. He strolled farther into the room, resting his small figure against his staff with every step he took, the sound of small pattering against one another.
"You have finally awoken," He said, "It seems you are extremely indebted to my Lord Sesshomaru. After all, he has saved your life many times."
My eyes were fixed upon my lap, my fingernails tracing the stitch of the thread on the blanket covering my body, its material looked soft and warm. My palms brushed against the embroidery of Sakura trees in blossom, set in a field of tall grass, the green blades moving in the spring breeze.
A part of me wished to be there, to feel the sunlight upon my skin, the smell of flowers encasing me in it's gently touch. However, my hopes were all but an empty promise, all this time I have believe that I would be swept off to salvation, an alternative to the fiery depths of hell. Sadly it seems, that all my attempts have been in vain.
"I did not intend to have his assistance," I chimed, " If I am becoming a burden, perhaps when the time comes, you shall leave me dead."
Jaken scowled at my comment, a somewhat discreet way to react, other than begin yelling at me in the presence of the unknowing Rin. When contemplating further on the matter, I truly wondered why Jaken had in fact arrived. Or perhaps a different question would be more suitable: 'What has drove him to leave Lord Sesshomaru's side?'
I watched as Rin smiled in excitement, swaying back and forth on the futon, causing me to slightly move as well. At the sight, I was positive that Rin would accompany them on their journey, leaving me alone once again in the world.
"Lady Kikyo," Rin looked over at me, smiling happy as always, "Will you be coming with us?"
Jaken and I exchanged glances at one another, as if trying to find an answer to her question.
"I don't think so," I began noticing that Rin was listening inattentively to my every word, "In this state I will be unable to accompany you."
Rin's face softened, her warming smile slowly fading to a saddening frown. After these past few weeks, Rin had been growing more on me, to where I could consider her as a younger sister or perhaps a child I was unable to bear. Now when hearing of the possibility of her leaving, I too, was saddened at the thought of our separation.
"I'll just stay here with Lady Kikyo then," She answered," Is that alright?"
I slightly nodded in approval, feeling somewhat relieved for both of our sakes. Averting my gaze towards Jaken, he rubbed his forehead as if in exhaustion, dark circles seen underneath his beady eyes. I guessed that when following Lord Sesshomaru around, there were few moments of rest.
After a short while, Jaken left the room when seeing that his presence was no longer needed, leaving Rin and I alone once again. Though how much I adored spending time with Rin, I found it strange to find myself in such a protected area, with barely any sign of demons in the lands and the castle entirely bare other than Rin, Jaken, Lord Sesshomaru, and myself occupying it. The possibilities seemed endless, but of course there was one way to find the answer.
Rin placed another long into the fire, sparks scattering into the air then losing their fiery light once they fell to the wooden floor. Despite the blackening residue from the wood and the exhaustion with her eyes, Rin seemed willing to help me in my current state. Because of this, I knew that I would have to repay the debt somehow.
Placing her hands in the bowl of water, I watched as Rin scrubbed her hands and arms, her tongue slightly sticking out as she did so. She seemed so innocent and oblivious to the great flaws in this life, to where I could believe that she thought of me as a living person, rather than the wandering, undead priestess.
Moving the blankets, I shifted my body on the futon as I stood, stumbling slightly before I finally caught my balance. Rin then slid open the paper screen, the cool rush of the early morning breeze flowing into the room. When placing another robe over my clothing that already rested upon my shoulders, I then covered Rin in a blanket as we strolled onto the wooden deck.
Ever as winter was nearing its end, darkening clouds hiding the sky. A think fog was a most fibrousness blanket, making it difficult to gaze into the distance. "Lady Kikyo, do you like staying here?" Rin asked out of the long pause of silence, "I mean, with me?"
I glance down at her, placing a hand on Rin's shoulder, "Of course," I paused. Quite frankly, I did not know why I fact stayed at the castle during those weeks, I certainly did enjoy spending time with Rin, but I was quite sure that she alone was not the main reasoning.
I leaned down to where I was level with her, "Rin, I haven't told you this, but you remind me of my sister when she was your age."
Rin smiled at this, her eyes lightening up with an intriguing energy, "I do?"
I nodded, "Why, yes," I replied, "In fact, my sister and I always did all sorts of things together. Like collect flowers and herbs, and making meal-"
Rin jumped and down several moments, and then placed her hands on the one I rested upon her shoulder, "Could we do that today or tomorrow?" She asked, "It all sounds like so much fun!"
"I suppose so," I answered, "But let's get you cleaned up first."
As soon as both Rin and I had dressed in bath roves, we then strolled along the series of hallways until we reached the Hot Springs on the southern branch of the castle.
We then undressed and entered the water, cleansing ourselves from our tension and the dirt clinging to our skin. I remained on the hot spring's edge as Rin splashed and swam around in the water. Steam rolled across the water's surface as I ran my fingers through my hair to separate the small knows near the ends.
I was amazed as to how Rin hadn't noticed my ever-noticeable flaws, to where I had to question myself. Indeed there were the times in which I was in pain and very rarely collapsed as before, but I could sense there was something strange at work here, something I wasn't quite aware of at the moment.
Rin swam through the mist waters towards me, only her head seen as the depth of the spring was quite large for her small figure. "Are you alright Lady Kikyo?" She asked through muffled words and bubbles.
I tossed my damp hair over my shoulders and nodded my head slightly, " I was just thinking."
She moved over to my side and sat upon the rocks, her head tilted. "About what, my lady?"
I looked up at the sky before answering, clouds and birds passing overhead. "About life and purpose." I managed to say, not really expecting a child such as Rin to comprehend.
Though as how shocking it may have been, she nodded. While moving a small piece of cloth in the water, she chimed: "I know what you mean."
I looked down at her as I raised my eyebrow slightly, "And how is that, Rin?"
She smiled slightly, though I knew that through those saddened eyes that this had been a troubling fact of life for her. "Before I lived here, I was living by myself in the woods near my home village. When my parents died in the accident, I had no where else to go and learned of how to support myself." She explained, "But that day when I found Lord Sesshomaru in the woods wounded, I thought that I had to help him get better. And even though he refused the food that I had offered to give him, I still didn't give up on him. Ever since then I have been traveling with Lord Sesshomaru in the lands, and because of him I was able to find happiness inside me again."
At that moment all I could do was let the words run through my head once more, astonished as to how just one child's life could be so difficult, and throughout all things she still remained happy. "Well, I'm glad."
Rin then swam away once more, submerging herself in the water completely for several moments until she resurfaced, her face flushed and a smile apparent.
A/N:
Blanket disclaimer for this FanFic (will apply to this and all other chapters in Everlasting): I do not claim any rights to Inuyasha or the characters associated with the anime/manga. Those rights belong to Rumiko Takahashi, et al. I do offer my thanks to her for creating such vivid characters for me to terrorize.
SpiritMiko
