Mermaid Saga Chapter 7, an inuyasha fanfic

Mermaid Saga, Chapter 7

All the guests of the Four Lands departed, some more so bitter than others. It had taken at least a fleet of Sesshomaru's men to escort the Thunder tribe away, though everyone knew that they'd return. They swore and pledged their vengeance against Sesshomaru, and it was only a matter of time before they followed through with that threat.

"They are few in numbers…." Kaguya murmured, casting her eyes around the table of advisors and then to Sesshomaru, "Maybe they won't be too much of a hassle. Besides, I think that they were bluffing."

"They may be few in numbers, but with the elements on their side, they could be troublesome." Totosai pointed out, "You probably shouldn't have killed them, Sesshomaru."

Those molten colored eyes of steel flickered in the old man's direction, and the elder blacksmith froze. "It seems as though your aim is to die today, Totosai…"

"Oh no! I never meant anything bad by it." A nervous laugh followed suit, "Uh...where am I? I don't remember." His large, bug eyes squinted.

"They are dead now, so it does not matter." Another demon spoke, "But I agree. They are few in numbers. If anything, we can easily overpower them."

"We are unaware of how many of them fully know how to conjure the elements as Hiten did." Jaken squawked, "It'd be foolish to rush in blindly."

"If they do attack, they'll have to return to the East to gather supplies. It will not take them long to cross the Great Mountain and other barriers." Kaguya sighed, "When they do attack, we'll have to be ready."

Pain and Sorrow tainted the Sacred Jewel. They smothered it in grief and destruction, causing its pure light to die out. Only then was it accessible to demons. The more malicious the circumstances that surrounded the Jewel, the more powerful it became.

Kagome was slowly beginning to realize it.

Sesshomaru allowed her to remain in the lake. She was safest there. No one could reach her, no one could harm her…but she was slowly drowning in loneliness.

Seldom had she ever found herself as lonesome as she currently was, merely sitting at the bottom of the lake. Once before, she feared swimming to the surface. She feared engaging Sesshomaru, but she began to ache for him.

She understood fully why he locked her in her current prison. She was a defenseless target now.

The waters were cold, quiet, and dark, and her only company seemed to be the Jewel. The sun's light was barely visible at those depths, depths in which she was hidden from the world…and somehow, somehow she still did not feel safe.

She hated to admit it, but the only time she felt secure and safe was when she was near Sesshomaru- safe in the passion of his lips and the warmth of his grasp.

She felt as though she finally knew him, but quickly realized that he was more of an enigma than he was before. He was the same cold-hearted beast who slaughtered her clan, yet he was the same person that desired to protect her.

She quickly shook her head before gazing intently as she observed the Jewel in her palms.

It was beautiful and delicate, but it held so much power. It reminded her of the stories she heard of its previous guardian Kikyo. She wished above all that Kikyo would lend her strength and wisdom to her. She wanted to be a fitting priestess.

These would be trying times, more difficult than they had already been. She was faced with a land that needed healing and hope, and the same land where evil had to be eradicated.

It was the only way she'd ever return to the Koro peacefully.

Despite being lost within her musings, Kagome did not miss the unmistakable aura that presented itself.

It was Sesshomaru.

She could feel her stomach tighten.

She desired to rise to the surface, but she was hesitant. What did he have planned for her?

If she did not come out willingly, he was going to force her out, she knew.

She tied the Jewel loosely around her neck, and propelled herself upwards with the agile and graceful motions of her tail. Her head broke the surface first in the alluring fashion known to her people. Just as she expected, Sesshomaru stood at the bank, his gaze thoroughly tracing the curvature of her exposed form. A white colored haori was draped over his arm. She noticed it, but whenever he gazed at her so heatedly, she felt her cheeks become warm. She attempted to ignore the fluttering feeling in her stomach as she lowered her eyes.

She did not know what to say, and he wasn't the talkative sort. Biting onto her lower lip, she hesitantly flickered her eyes back up to him, "I guess you wanted to see if the Jewel was alright…" It would be the only explanation as to why Sesshomaru would take the time to venture to the lake, at least it was what Kagome thought. Whatever his reason, she was too lonely to care. She simply missed him, and she still hated herself for it…

"Are you unharmed?" Were his only words in response to her statement. His tone was flat, just as it always was, yet it did not deter Kagome. Her healing factor was astounding. It nearly rivaled his own. He supposed that it had something to do with her heritage and the possession of the Jewel.

She simply nodded, "I'm alright…" The girl was open to all, just like a book. Her facial expressions held the key to whatever it was she was thinking at the time being. It was dangerous, yet it was what made Kagome so carefree. She did not fear her emotions nor did she attempt to contain them.

Slowly, he began towards her- stepping into the waters of the lake. Wordlessly, he offered her his hand.

Kagome was reluctant to move. This was what she desired, but now, she was no longer sure. Her hand acted on its own. It elevated before slipping into his grasp. She felt him tug her from the waters until the azure color of her tail began to fade, and her human legs sprouted. She stood at her full height, and her brows knitted, "What is that?" She asked, motioning towards the garment in his hands.

She was beautiful, more so beautiful than the three women who sought after him in the ceremony…and she merely appeared human. She was similar to his father's second mate in her grace and elegance, yet there was fight within Kagome, "It is made from the robe of the firerat." It was one of two kimonos given to his father's second mate.

"The firerat?" Kagome asked, taking it within her grasp. Though she stood naked, she did not mind it. She was not necessarily used to the surface dweller's customs nor was she ashamed.

"It is for your protection…" She'd need it, just in case his guards or anyone else attempted to harm her. "We are to meet the old woman today."

"Lord Sesshomaru, I have prepared A-Un just as you've asked!" Jaken dropped into a bow as his lord passed him. The small imp did indeed notice Kagome's presence behind him. "W-What is she doing here?!" He also took note that she adorned the white and red kimono of the firerat. In essence, she looked just like how the priestesses Kikyo was always depicted.

Kagome ignored the little imp, just as Sesshomaru did, but she stopped in her tracks once she noticed the two-headed beast. She was unsure of what to make of him, and she immediately proceeded behind Sesshomaru, gently grasping onto the sleeve of his haori.

She was afraid, Sesshomaru could smell it, and he deemed it senseless. Even Rin, a mere child, was unafraid of Ah Un. Wordlessly, he grasped her by her hips before lifting her onto the saddle.

Once Kagome was abruptly lifted, she gasped. She was unsure of how she was supposed to sit. Awkwardly, she latched herself onto the edges of the saddle in an effort not to fall off.

Sesshomaru proceeded on behind her and reached around her waist to grasp the dragon's reigns.

With him so close, Kagome's entire face went red. She merely hoped that this would all be over soon.

"My lord, where are you going?!" Jaken asked a final time, watching as Ah Un began to lift from the ground.

Kagome wasn't expecting the dragon to fly. Her stomach became queasy. She immediately turned, her arms looping around Sesshomaru's form tightly.

If he had a habit of rolling his eyes, he would have.

"Oh! You must be going to the human village to visit the old woman. Wait, did she ignore your summons?!" Jaken squawked out, "That foolish hag!"

Though Sesshomaru did not acknowledge Jaken, he heard him. Kaede was known to be a disobedient. He should have killed the old woman ten times over, yet he seemed to always have need of her. She blatantly disobeyed the summons, telling the guards that Sesshomaru himself could go lap a mule's backside. Sesshomaru was not angered in the least by it. She was an old mortal. Killing her now would have served no purpose. She was not long for their world. Time was everything to humans.

Rin could not be reasoned with. The child's lips parted with a guttural and broken scream, tears pouring from her tightly closed brown eyes. The stinging pain of claws that had ripped into her arm was all she could think of. She buried herself within one of the rock-like crevices near the lake, sobbing uncontrollably as she balled into a knot.

"Silly girl, come out of there!"Hoshiyomi hissed. He was not sure what had the girl so riled up. He had been ordered to retrieve Rin so that she could join their lord on his daily rounds, yet the human had apparently lost it.

"I don't understand what you could have possibly done." Inukimi's head sat at a tilt as she stared at the crevice the child buried herself in.

"I have not done anything. She is merely being foolish." He spat.

"Rin, I demand that you come out of there!" Jaken screeched, "Lord Sesshomaru will be very displeased to know that you've kept up this behavior!"

"Jaken, go fetch Sesshomaru..." Inukimi abruptly spoke, but her eyes never left the boulder that Rin was hiding behind.

"Yes Milady!" The imp quickly bowed before scampering off, intent on finding his master.

"Do you think that he'll be able to find him?" The general asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"Sesshomaru will be able to smell her blood, eventually." Someone in the castle had harmed her it seemed, perhaps in an effort to get back at Sesshomaru. If anything, the fools had only signed their own death warrants. This was not good, not good at all.

"Her blood?"Hoshiyomi questioned. With one sniff, he confirmed it, "She has been injured…"

Slowly, Inukimi golden eyes flickered in his direction, "Listen well. Sesshomaru is not to know about this, otherwise you, and half of the guards will face slaughter." Sesshomaru was not going to take his ward's harm well. If anything, he was going to figure it all out by killing more of the guards alongside those who he felt were responsible. They could not afford losing more men, not at such a critical time.

His brows knitted, "Lady Inukimi, what are you proposing?"

"Sesshomaru has not seen her all day. He has been preoccupied with the siren and the old hag of a miko. He knows not of her whereabouts. We will tell him that she wandered too far away from the gardens and got attacked by a stray wolf. Do know that if you so choose to tell him otherwise, I will kill you myself."

As they landed, Kagome was more than curious about the village. She had never laid eyes on something quite like it before. The small hut-like structures caught her attention first, yet they were all positioned in organized patterns. The roads were so busy, flooded with men, women, and children alike, guiding their horses, cows, and mules, or buying goods. They all attended their daily business, yet as they spotted the approaching dragon, all commotions ceased.

They recognized Sesshomaru immediately. A hush fell over the village as each member caught sight of their lord, and they all remained still, as if moving around him would cause death.

Kagome noticed the odd reception they received. As soon as everyone stopped moving, they bowed, not even daring to look up at the two. When A-Un finally landed near a particular home, Sesshomaru dismounted. Kagome did the same- sliding down in a less than graceful manner.

Those that peeked out were immediately stunned by her appearance. Murmuring began around the crowd of people developing.

"It's the priestess Kikyo…."

"It can't be! She died fifty years ago."

Kagome could feel her cheeks heat up from all the attention. Everyone was staring at her as if her tail had begun to grow from her head.

From the hut's flat hobbled out an old woman. She approached them slowly, obviously not bothered by Sesshomaru's presence, "So, Sesshomaru. Ye have finally arrived." It was if she had been expecting him. But, once the taiyoukai did not answer, her good eye shifted to the girl at his side, "Ye must be the reincarnation of my sister. Rumors have even spread here about your part in returning the Jewel back to this realm." And just as the old miko expected, the Sacred Jewel hung around Kagome's neck. "Come inside child, there is much to discuss…"

Sesshomaru stood wordlessly, observing as the old woman vanished behind the hut's flap. She must have sensed them both coming. Her purifying abilities were astounding, yet they did not rival Kikyo or Kagome's. It had taken Kaede 50 years to become the powerful miko that she was. Kagome seemed to already have a natural affinity for it.

Kagome remained motionless before taking a glance back at the taiyoukai. Her gaze was one of uncertainty. She was afraid. She did not understand why, but she felt out of place. She could tell that Sesshomaru was not going to accompany her when she spoke to the old woman.

"Go with her." He muttered, turning on his heel to return to A-Un.

"You're leaving me here?!" She blurted out, her eyes widening. "You can't just leave me! I…I.." She did not even know Kaede nor was she familiar with anything in the village!

"You are to remain here. Do so, or I'll tear them all to shreds." It was a sure threat, and Kagome very well knew. Sesshomaru was going to kill everyone in the village if she decided to leave. However, it was a way to keep her safe, alongside harnessing her power. No one would suspect that she was among humans. Sesshomaru was eventually going to return for her during his morning rounds the next day.

Still, it was not the only reason for his early departure.

There was the scent of blood in the wind.

Blood that he recognized.

Rin's blood.

Kagome immediately felt a spike of anger, and a hardened glare graced her features as the dragon elevated from the ground. She. Hated. Him.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken called, scanning the skyline for sight of his lord, "Where are you master?! Lord Sesshomaru!" However, as the imp heedlessly called, Ah Un came hurdling out from the horizon, barely visible as he sped past.

"Wait milord, don't leave me behind!" Jaken screamed, beginning to run after his master as Sesshomaru headed towards the castle.

Rin was not dead, no. The scent of her blood was not strong in the wind, but it was present. If anything, she had simply gotten a flesh wound. However, with the threat of the Thunder Tribe present, and the seekers of the Jewel constantly plotting, Sesshomaru knew that he had to be prepared for anything. He landed outside of the gardens, soon spotting the form of his mother and his head general.

As he made his way over, he could clearly sense the spike of fear in his general's aura. It was unusual, though he merely paid it no mind. His main priority was Rin.

"You were nearby, I imagine. Where is the siren?" Inukimi knew that the girl left with Sesshomaru. When she attempted to visit her on the lake, she could not feel her purifying aura. Mentioning Rin was redundant. She knew that her son was aware of her injury.

"What happened to Rin?" Was his only question, his gaze flickering the boulder where her whimpers could be heard. It had been some time since Rin was actually reduced to tears and sobbing. She was a carefree child, neither frightened by beast nor demons alike.

"Milord, she was in the gardens…" Tsukoyomi muttered, briefly lowering into a bow, "She wandered too far and was attacked by a stray wolf."

"Perhaps a stray from Kouga's pack." Inukimi added, "It is of no consequence. The wolf was killed on the spot."

By then. Rin's cries died out until they were small sniffles. She had heard Sesshomaru's voice. Before he beckoned her out, she crawled her small form towards the opening of the rock crevice. Hesitantly, she peeped out, her brown eyes large and fearful.

The moment she spotted the white of his haori, she dashed out, a choked sob left her lips, and she clutched onto the lower portion of his hakamas. Her entire face was reddened over, her tears continued to stream- appearing endless.

Lethargically, Sesshomaru's brow arched and he stared down at the child. It was possible that a mere wolf had the girl as afraid as she was. Rin was once killed by wolves before she was resurrected by the Tenseiga. However, he could not smell the wolf's scent on her. He smelled something, something strange, but it was no wolf.

Before he could dwell on the thought further, he was returned to reality by more of Rin's whimpers. He lifted her into one of his arms, and she immediately clung to him, wrapping her small arms around his neck. He could feel her heart as it rammed against her ribcage, and the scent of her fear spiking from her had him on edge.

Wordlessly, he proceeded off, ignoring the stares he received from his mother and his second in command.

"Was it you that injured the girl?"

"Hoshiyomi, do not take me for a fool. I'd not have my scent anywhere near that human brat, otherwise Sesshomaru would be sure to remove my head." The moth demon spat.

"Someone hurt her- someone powerful enough to mask their scent." Hoshiyomi continued on, "We must discover who did it. They can join us." He muttered, his eyes observing Gatenmaru as he lethargically walked back and forth in front of him.

"We'll have an easier time destroying the mutt if that is the case…" The moth demon responded, still pacing. "The Spider has a plan though."

"What, are we to use the Wind Sorceress to bring Sesshomaru's downfall?" Hoshiyomi arched his brow.

"No. According to Naraku, she can't be trusted. She's infatuated by the idea of freedom and Sesshomaru. If anything, she's plotting against him…but I suppose it doesn't hurt to find the culprit that harmed the girl. If they are indeed powerful enough to mask their scent, it will be easier to move around this damned castle unnoticed."

There was no reasoning with Sesshomaru, Inukimi saw that clearly. He was just like his father when it came to mere whims, and he wouldn't release the siren.

She could not allow this indignation and ridiculousness to go on further. She lost her first mate to the mortal would, but she'd not lose her son as well.

She too smelled the siren on him. He bedded her, despite being involved in the mating ceremony. It was not uncommon, yet Sesshomaru was too lost in his thought of power to notice how the girl was beginning to tear down everything he worked so hard for.

Now, their enemies consisted of seekers of the Jewel, the followers of Tsubaki, the Thunder tribe, and the Spider. If Sesshomaru continued to sleep with the siren, the women in the mating ceremony would likely withdraw- and their chance at finding an ally would be diminished.

This all pointed to the Spider gaining a victory. He would not kill Sesshomaru until he made him witness the destruction of his entire empire.

There was no way out of it…no way except…giving him the Jewel. It was what he wanted after all. If they gave him the Jewel, he'd be burdened by the problem of harboring it, and he'd no longer be a threat, Inukimi reasoned. The only person that could take her to the Spider was his daughter, Kagura. Naraku's castle remained hidden behind a barrier, for good reason. Naraku had several enemies.

Figuring this to be her only way, Inukimi left the gardens, intent on finding the Wind Sorceress.