~xxoxx~

An Angel's Act

by Yui Shunrei Ryuzaki

Disclaimer applies.

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Chapter 7: My Worth and Existence

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Ryuuen lay flat on his back, breathing hard as though he had been fighting in an intense fighting match. He had awoken from a vivid dream, with his hands pressed over his face in horror. A pain inside his chest was burning beneath his skin as though someone had just pressed a fire to him. He sat up, one hand on his chest, the other reaching out in the darkness for his glasses, which were on the bedside table. He put them on and his bedroom came into clearer focus, lit by a faint, white rays of moonlight that were filtering through the curtains from the outside of his window.

Ryuuen ran his fingers over his silvery locks. He turned on the lamp beside him, scrambled out of bed, crossed the room, and peered into the mirror. A man with stoic, cold beauty looked back at him, his bright cerulean eyes peered out under his untidy silvery greyish hair. He examined his reflection more closely. Undeniably, he resembled Sesshomaru Taisho a lot.

It is one of his discoveries from when he decided to investigate about the existence and creation of the marionettes like him. He was the very first marionette created by the Higurashi Family. Project Adam, that was the name of the plan that had created him. The very concept of making the marionettes was from his own mistress, Rin Higurashi. His physical attributes were mostly based on Sesshomaru Taisho. Ryuuen at first wondered why but eventually came to realize that his mistress was in love with his man before. His completion was been halted when the accident took place leaving Rin in a comatose state for several years. A year before Ran Higurashi (Rin's older brother and his creator) died in an accident in his laboratory, he'd managed to complete Ryuuen-making him the ultimate and strongest marionette in the world. Even the neotype marionettes couldn't surprass him. Ryuuen tried to recall what he had been dreaming about before he had awoken. It had seemed so real... There had been two marionettes he was fighting with. His mistress in Sesshomaru's arms calling out his name pleading him to stop. He concentrated hard, frowning trying to remember more...

The dim picture of an intense battle came to him... Blood splattered everywhere... His mistress pleading cries echoing. He stabbed his marionette opponent with his own katana and he had felt a spasm of horror, which had awoken him because the opponent that he'd stabbed was his own mistress. Ryuuen had watched her bloody body fall to the ground. It was all too confusing. He put his face into his hands, blocking out his bedroom, trying to hold on to the picture of that dimly lit battleground, but it was like trying to keep water in your cupped hands. The details were now trickling away as fast as he tried to hold on them. He couldn't bear to see it. It was really horrifying to him to see that he'd killed his beloved mistress with his own hands.

He took his face out of his hands, opened his eyes, and stared around his bedroom. The atmosphere within his room made him feel uncomfortable. Rolls of blueprint were scattered on his desk with some documents unread beside of it. On the floor beside his bed, a folder with some important doauments lay open Ryuuen had been reading it before he fell asleep last night. They were about a certain plan named Project Eve.

Ryuuen walked over to the folder, picked it up and scanned briefly the first page with his eyes. It read of creating a perfect marionette that could surpass the Project Adam with the goals to make Rin Higurashi come back to life, and to eliminate the product of the previous plan: Project Lilith.

Project Lilith? What harm could it bring to humanity to create another marionette to suppress it? He had no idea. And to have one to surprass his capabilities? Was it really possible? He snapped the book shut. Ryuuen placed the folder on his bedside table, crossed to the window, and drew back the curtains to survey the scenery outside.

Silence still covers the whole place as he would be expected to see in the early hours of the morning. He could see through the darkness, there wasn't living creature in sight, not even a cat and a group of birds.

He went back to the bed and sat down on it, running his fingers in his hair again. He was bothered by his dream. Listening closely to the silence around him, he withdrew in shock. Was he subconsciously expecting that something would happen? He shook himself mentally he was being stupid. There's no one can hurt his mistress even himself for he won't permit it to happen. Rin was plainly still asleep, her dreams untroubled and painless.

Asleep was the way Ryuuen liked Rin best it wasn't because she didn't disturbed him during his secret investigation but because her innocent peaceful sleep let him know that she's safe being with him. He loved her more than anyone else in this world despite that she is his master and he is her servant. Not to mention that she's a human being and he is a marionette created from Sesshomaru's blood and now living with his and Rin's blood. One might say that he could be the child of the Marionette Masters, Sesshomaru and Rin. Their bloods made him the ultimate marionette above the rest. But this thought displeased him. He didn't want to be a clone of Sesshomaru. He wanted to have his own identity and not to be compared with anyone.

He sighed to himself. Yes, thought Ryuuen, everything would be fine. There was no point worrying over his dream, he didn't want Rin to be troubled if he was worried. Something caught his attention as he turned his gaze on his bed. There, laying on his sheets was his creator's journal. He took it and opened the last entry submitted.

I noticed that he's planning something not right when the launching of the first batch of marionettes became successful. A glimmer in his eyes makes me feel suspicious and then I found out that he's formulating the Project Lilith, that aims to surpass my unfinished Project Adam. I conducted more research to make the Project Adam successful and make my marionette the ultimate marionette than can save the humanity at the time when the product of the Project Lilith completed. We're still working on Project Eve, hoping that one out of eighty marionettes that were born from Rin's blood be successful enough to revive her. The first seventy eight RinYume models were failures. Seventy eight lives have been wasted and it made me feel guilty for this. I blame myself. How many experiments should I perform just to make it successful? How many lives should pay for this? There are only two Rin marionettes left and I don't know if I should give up or not.

Then at one time, Aunt Nodoka asked me if it is possible that Sesshomaru Taisho can able to activate one of the Rin marionettes since my sister, Rin had always reacts whenever she's with the presence of Sesshomaru. I doubted but there's no more chances left. I told her to give it a try if there's a chance that Sesshomaru wants to have a marionette.

I should complete the Project Adam as soon as possible. I'm not really sure what's the goal behind the Project Lilith. I wonder what's the power behind of one's human blood. I took a blood sample unbeknownst to Sesshomaru and found out how amazing his blood can synchronize well in a marionette tissue. This is another breakthrnough in cloning studies! His blood and a little bit of Rin's blood created an incredible tissues that made another one amazing marionette. A boy that has silvery greyish hair and a pair of cerulean eyes. The product of Project Adam. We called him Angel:Adam00 model.

If Auntie Nodoka is right that Sesshomaru Taisho can activate one of the two Rin marionettes, the Project Eve will be successful. In sometime RinYume will revive the conciousness of my sister and might help the Project Adam against the product of Project Lilith.

Ryuuen understood well enough that he's the model type Angel:Adam00 that became the product of Ran's research and experiments. Does this mean that Rin, the current marionette of Sesshomaru is one of his mistress marionette model and the one who'll carry out the Project Eve?

He got to his feet, stretched, and opened his wardrobe. Without glancing back on his reflection, he started to get dressed before going to the next room to check on his mistress condition. As he opened her door, he saw her seated on her bed with her long, untidy black hair cascading down to her shoulders. She lifted her face still with her eyes closed noticed his presence.

"Ryuuen." she called with a bright smile.

"Rin, are you not feeling well?" he asked her as he walked towards her bed. Ryuuen touched her forehead and noticed that her fever from last night had already gone. She took his hand and clasped it with hers. A noticable blush tainted her cheeks that surprised him. He sat beside her and she lays her head on his shoulder. An unfathomable smile curled his lips as he pulled her closer to him.

"I feel much better now, Ryuuen. Thank you." she whispered as she snuggled to him.

~xxoxx~

She doesn't want to be a burden to her master. Several times, she found herself watching Ryuuen and her previous matches on the television at the living room. Trying hard to find out what are her flaws while she found herself overwhelmed by Ryuuen's fighting ability. Rin wonders how will Kira's control can enhance Ryuuen if she had chosen to take over control over him.

Sesshomaru noticed that his marionette is not in herself lately. She seemed startled and spent most of her time watching the matches on the Battle of the Angels.

"Rin." he called as he sat beside her during yet another replay of the matches. She almost jumped out from her seat when she heard his deep, emotionless voice.

"Sesshomaru-sama!" she replied, giving him a surprised look. He arched a brow on her wondering what made her startled. He noticed that the stone embedded on his ring flashed pink, and was frustrated he had yet to figure out what it meant.

"Gomen nasai..." she muttured beside him and clutches a pillow in her chest-inevitably trying to bury her face on it.

Sesshomaru turned his gaze to the television and saw the match of Kira against Kikyo for the semi-finals of the division A. He watched with a smooth expression and noticed that Ryuuen seemed to fight without too much effort and he was always in control. He hadn't able to watch the other matches before, but was informed that Kira of Division A had been hailed as the rookie prodigy in the tournament. His amber eyes narrowed making him more handsome in Rin's eyes.

He watched as Kikyo spoke to Ryuuen and attacked Kira's spot using her marionette, Midoriko. The Glass Cover was shattered revealing Kira as a young woman with half of her face covered with a huge protective googles. But enough of her was revealed for Sesshomaru to noticed Kira's facial attributes. His frame went frigid and he froze on his seat. Kira is familiar to him. Her long raven hair, her heart shaped smooth face, her radiant skin. It couldn't be...

"I've just stumbled to Miss Rin Higurashi. I'm surprised you're associated with her." He remembered Naraku's words.

"I really thought she's Rin-chan." Kohaku's words echoed in his head.

"But you see, she's the exact clone marionette of Rin-chan. I'm sure Kagome is informed about this." Sango's words passed in his mind.

Could it be? Could it be that this Kira is Rin Higurashi? He couldn't remember who she is but certainly she's blood related to his half brother's girlfriend. He had this suspicion towards InuYasha and Kagome from the start, but never really take it seriously since it doesn't seems to affect him and his marionette. He wanted to know who is this Rin Higurashi and if his Rin was created from her blood. The blood that Kagome monthly gives to his marionette, he wants to know from whom blood it was taken from. He must know the answers soon and Kagome would provide this to him.

~xxoxx~

After he took his mistress to the hospital for her weekly therapy so she could walk again, Ryuuen went to the stadium to see who had made it to become the Division Championship for Division B and D. Naraku has been proclaimed as the Division D Champion with his marionette, Kagura against his opponent, Kouga and his marionette, Ayame. InuYasha had made it and became the Division B champion and had a very good fight with his marionette Zero at his side. He and his mistress were scheduled to fight against Bankotsu and his marionette, Jakotsu after a week. Feeling greatful that the matches had turn favorable to his winning, he started to walk away from the battleground with the intention to resume his investigation back at the Higurashis. But to his surprise, he saw the marionette named Rin waiting for him at the end of the long hallway in the stadium. His cerulean orbs met her hazel eyes. She moved shyly towards him and bowed her head in respect.

"Ryuuen-san. Please help me to become a better marionette. My next match will be held after a week." she told him quietly.

Ryuuen stared at her sternly. If she's the product of Project Eve, he must help her to get stronger in case the Lilith started to unravel its project creation. But it seemed to shake him. Why does it has to be that she had the same face with his mistress? She wasn't his mistress,definitely. She was the marionette belonged to his mistress's first love. Ryuuen wondered how Sesshomaru would react if he ever learned that his marionette was a clone of his mistress.

"Follow me." he replied monotonously. She nodded and followed his lead until they reached the practice chamber where marionettes practice their skills together with their masters. After they both changed to their battlesuits, the pair headed towards the battledome. Ryuuen threw a blindfold piece to Rin and she quickly understood what he intented to do.

"I won't go easy on you." Ryuuen said coldly to Rin.

"It's alright, Ryuuen-san. If you think it would be a big help, then just do it." Rin replied with her blindfold on and her katana in her hands. The picture of trust, and it her resemblance to his mistress didn't help.

Ryuuen wielded his own sword from its case. His mesmeric gaze shone upon her without her notice.

"Take off your blindfold. I would like to know how you fight without your master's control." She obeyed him and quickly removed the piece of cloth. Rin started to attack him but he dodged all of them easily,only using the case of his katana to defend himself. Rin knew that she couldn't defeat him. Her breath started to become ragged and she hadn't hit him even once. He stopped moving and stood still on his place. Rin followed him and stopping only momentarily.

"You're a light built marionette fighter. The speed and your agility will be your keys to overwhelm your opponents. Keep your focus and mind once you've stepped onto the battleground." He noted, keeping his gaze on her the whole time. Rin nodded in response and tried to memorize what he'd said, filling it into her brain.

He continued to teach her with regards to her moves and poses which certainly made him forget that he had to go claim his mistress back from the hospital.

~xxoxx~

Rin silently waited inside Kagome's office at the stadium. Ryuuen had forgotten to pick her up from the hospital after her therapy. She wondered why. He had never forgotten before, so why did he this time? Maybe he was out training, her marionette had been quite busy preparing for battles lately.

Sesshomaru went to the stadium to watch the match of Inuyasha and Naraku. As he expected both of them had claimed the title as the Division Champions and advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament. If the luck is in his side, he would be the Division Champion and he'll advance as well to the semi-finals. Can Kira win against her opponent in her next match? He wasn't sure. Sesshomaru knew that Kira's marionette, Ryuuen fought his past matches without Kira's assistance. Maybe Ryuuen's true capabilities will be revealed if Kira's control of him for the next match.

Sesshomaru walked towards Kagome's office after the matches to confront her about his marionette creator and existence. He expected her to be there but much to his surprise, a young blind lady who perfectly resembles his marionette is sitting in a advance wheel chair and seemed to be alone in Kagome's office. He found himself dumbfounded at the scene. He didn't expect to see this woman at the moment, and was unsure of what to do.

Rin heard that the door of Kagome's office and wondered if it is her cousin or her marionette come to aid her. But after the door shut, she heard nothing more but instinctively she knew someone was there with her within the room.

She lifted her innocent with her eyes still close as usual,giving Sesshomaru full view of her pale, smooth face.

"Kagome-neesan? Ryuuen? Please speak up. You know well that my eyesight is not well." Rin said with a worried tone.

Sesshomaru became frigid and seemed still shocked, he couldn't even utter a word to her. How should he speak to her? And who was she?

~xxoxx~

Preview to the Next Chapter:

Sesshomaru had just met Rin Higurashi, the mother of all marionettes but Rin is oblivious that Sesshomaru is also involved to the Battle of Angels and to the existence of a marionette who shares a same face and name with her. What would happen next? Ryuuen has just stumbled a very important discovery about the Project Lilith, that may lead his mistress' life and all the marionettes' masters in great danger and death.

Chapter 8: Uncertainties

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A/n: I couldn't remember when did I last update but I'm trying to update asap since I've already got a beta that could help me with my writing with regard to this story. The Battle of the Angels will cover up to chapter 11 and after that I'll resume to Sesshomaru and Rin's relationship.

Special Thanks to:

* Icegirljenni- the fight here between Rin and Ryuuen wasn't elaborated too much since it was only a sparring match between the two. I'm hoping that I could write and update faster so I could start writing how the human Rin and Sesshomaru will interact with each other.

* ElheiM- Ryuuen was made from Sessho as the marionette Rin was made from the human Rin. Ryuuen is really in touch to his investigation.

* Lynn Forever01- again, the fight between the two in this chapter is only a sparring match. It isn't official. Their official match will be released very soon. And yes, Sessho is in full control in her actions during their previous battles.

* Nanami of the Falling Snow- you are very much welcome. :) I know what you feel. I'm also feel the thrill and excitement everytime I write a chapter for this story.

* Stigmafan123- Oh, you really don't how happy I am when you volunteered to be my beta for this story. Thank you very much, my dear.

* Jolie- well, you see I'm really a lazy writer. Despite the fact that ideas and scenes are overflowing in my mind, I still have a hard time to find some motivation to write down my stories. Anyway, thank you for having a patience to wait for my updates. You never failed to give me such wonderful feedbacks of yours. Thanks again.

* DivineRose91- I knew well that I hadn't written the action scenes between Ryuuen and Midoriko since I'm really a failure one when it comes to fighting skills. Yes, because Rin is an imperfect marionette and one of the prototypes unlike Ryuuen that was made complete and flawless.

* Ice cream apparition- A little bit of hurried? I don't think so. But though sometimes, I think you're right. But if I haven't made Rin to wake her sooner, probably Ryuuen will not appear earlier. And on how Rin's eyesight works? Hmm... just try to think playing any sport or any arcade game with your eyes closed. Do you think you could win? If Rin use her eyesight, she'll take the full control of Ryuuen's actions on her own will. Btw, thank you very much for reading and reviewing this story. I'm really happy when I read your feedback. :)

Again, thank you for reading and reviewing my story. Well, if you don't mind clicking the review button and leave any comments or opinions with regards to this story, I'll be very much happy.

I've just published another SesshouRin story last week. Hope you could also check on it and read it too. It is entitled "Escaped" that'll run up to 10 chapters and certainly will followed by its sequel entitled "Shattered".

Thanks again. Have a great day to everyone!

~Yui Shunrei Ryuzaki