So sorry for the long delay! Been so busy because of school AND a new job! I'll try to update this Friday again so stay tuned!
Recap: Rin and Sesshomaru were on a private plane finally heading towards Hokkaido.
Chapter 9 Old Friend
Sesshomaru glanced at the slumbering girl next to him, momentarily taking his eyes off the road. She didn't look comfortable at all with her head slightly lolling to the side. They landed in Hokkaido after a short flight, and the human woman was so exhausted, she was half asleep when they got in a convertible car. He drove in the countryside of Hokkaido while the sun was slowly rising in the East, bathing the fields and the distant white mountains with its hazy light. Such beauty. It reminded him of the feudal era, which he admittedly missed.
His thoughts were interrupted by Jaken's loud snoring behind him. He lay sprawled on the long seat, his hat covering his face. He turned to glare at him thinking of reprimanding his small ward, but thought better of it. The imp had served him well for, up to this day, even though he was mightily curious about the human currently tagging along with them. If he is bright enough, he will keep his prying questions to himself.
Unable to resist, Sesshomaru gazed at her again. Why did he even yield to her silly negotiation, wasting his time with her? He had no time for such frivolities, with Naraku hunting him. The girl had nothing to gain from all of this. I, Sesshomaru, fall in love with a weak human?
He scoffed. It disgusted him. And the fact that he had told her that he was going to try, raised his hackles. The girl did make him feel something, somehow, but he deduced it was because even though she was a weak human, she had been extremely useful. If it weren't for her, he would still be in that damn prison.
But it goes both ways. Without him, she would've been a rotting corpse a long time ago.
So he squelched the feeling of gratitude towards her. Their mutual camaraderie ended when they escaped that place. There should be nothing else between them anymore, but his duty to protect her and deny Naraku of what he wants. He would NOT be caught in public with a human companion once it was revealed that he, Taisho, Sesshomaru is still alive.
Then WHY agree to her ridiculous request?
Because there was an opportunity that he could not ignore.
The Yamanaka Corporation. His company's long competitor. And to seize it would mean more power and unmatched influence not only in Japan but even in the other nations. It will mark as his greatest success in this new century as a businessman. He long planned how to take his competitor out of the industry … but this was even better. He could easily sway Rin into handing him the company somehow. How hard would it be to pretend to be her lover and gain her complete trust?
But first he must eliminate Bankotsu and Naraku. They will not get their hands on the Company. Sesshomaru was bent on revenge. Naraku must pay, and the Demon Lord will do ANYTHING in his power to prevent that worthless hanyou from getting his hands on more businesses, as well as Rin. He will crush him completely.
He smiled darkly. Yes. The girl chose to believe in him and risk herself. But she had forgotten that he was a demon and she barely knew him. She was naïve. He warned her that he was dangerous, and even advised her to stay away from him. Instead she threw herself at him, of all the things to do. And it didn't help that he was a virile demon around her. If she didn't come to her senses soon, she will regret it.
And before her senses slapped reality in her, it wouldn't be below him to take advantage.
"Uhm… Sesshomaru, where are we going?" Rin asked uncertainly, a bit scared.
"Human! How dare you address the Lord without proper honorifics!" Jaken screeched while pulling the luggage over a large tree root.
The thick foliage covered the light of the afternoon sky. Rin grew restless five minutes of walking in the forest. She had never experienced camping before and never been to a forest, and it was making her uneasy. She hoped there weren't any wild boars nearby…
"Jaken. Let her be." Sesshomaru stopped walking ahead of them and glared at him before resuming.
Rin skidded next to him and cleared her throat.
Sesshomaru closed his eyes and slowly opened them. "Be patient. You will see."
Rin nodded and bit her lip.
Few minutes later they reached a huge cliff. And her jaw slackened in shock when she saw an old fashioned, run down, feudal-era style mansion perched on it. It looked so ancient. Weeds and vines were surrounding it. The mansion was left unkempt, she guessed, for decades. A haunted house?
Rin and Jaken followed the silver haired demon towards the wide door. Using a huge, rusted key, he opened the door and she was even more surprised to see the interior.
It looked nothing like the outside.
Inside the mansion, it was modern, refurbished and so clean. It was as if the exterior was a disguise. There were two impressive staircase looped around which lead to the second floor. They entered and Jaken closed the door behind them. Rin was reluctant to walk inside with her muddy shoes, afraid to ruin the expensive carpet.
"Jaken, go take her into one of the rooms. Once you are done, thoroughly inspect the mansion and prepare it for residence."
"Y-yes my Lord! But..." He gazed at Rin confusedly. "…for the human as well?"
"Obviously, you simple minded fool."
Jaken bowed and mumbled apologies. "Then I must go… er… shopping for human food somewhere. This place was not prepared for accommodating humans."
Rin brightened up. "Can I go with Jaken, Sesshomaru?"
Jaken looked horrified at her request.
He raised an elegant eyebrow. "No. It is too dangerous for you to do as you wish without me. You will stay here and wait for Jaken to get back."
She pouted, extremely disappointed.
Jaken sighed in relief, observing her upturned face. A human wants to accompany him?! EW! But why was that human so brazen towards his lord?!
"But… I've been stuck indoors for weeks!" She wanted to go out and go shopping… even though only for food.
"No, Rin." He glared coldly at Jaken. "Take her upstairs."
Jaken peeked at Sesshomaru, who looked at the girl with akin to weariness.
Whaaat? His Lord was not planning to punish and reprimand this pathetic human?! Who was she and what was going on?
Jaken yelled at Rin to follow him, and she reluctantly did after having a short staring contest with Sesshomaru. She blushed and gave up.
He watched her climb the staircase and disappeared into the second floor. Feisty girl, she was. A bit dim-witted at times but it made her all the more… adorable? His eyes widened slightly at the direction his thoughts were going. An adorable human?
He shook his head at his foolishness, and walked towards the huge kitchen, opened the backdoor and headed towards the cliff. He walked gracefully, the wind blowing his silver hair. Dried autumn leaves tumbled on his feet.
He stopped in front of a huge, familiar, magnolia tree. He stared at the discolored bark, the wilting leaves and the dried branches.
"Bokuseno." The demon whispered almost softly.
Slowly, a wearied, old face etched itself on the tree's bark. He smiled. "Ah, My Lord. It is a pleasure to see you once again." I had a feeling you would come to see me."
Sesshomaru stared at the wise old tree questioningly.
He chuckled lightly. "I've heard rumors from the wind… from the birds and from the trees. You are quite in a predicament, aren't you?"
He scowled. "Then you know why I am here."
The tree slightly swayed from the side. "Of course. But I am afraid to tell you, that you cannot recover your lost demonic energy. As we speak, the stolen youki is slowly dissipating wherever it may be contained. To seek it and obtain it would be fruitless."
Sesshomaru's eyes flared in anger.
"Do not worry however. You are a demon, and you know well that your body will make what was lost. You will regain all of your youki strength in years to come!"
Years? "Bokuseno, I DO NOT have time. Naraku is after me. I need to be able to fight now, and I refuse to be a weakling for far too long." Kami he was itching to kill all the beings responsible for his current state.
"Then you need it again Sesshomaru."
The wind blew once again, and the scent of the ocean filled his senses. "It?"
Bokuseno's forehead moved, his way of nodding. "After all, it was a part of you, and it will help hasten your body's recovery from the poison. Keep it by your side at all times, just like before. And in no time, you will be the inu beast you always were." The ground shook slightly, and Bokuseno pulled out one of his roots from the ground. He unwound his root from a dirty, long object and handed it to the Lord. It was warm and it vibrated with power at his touch. Already he felt some power coursing through his veins.
"Bakusaiga." He whispered. Sesshomaru's eyes were suddenly lost in the memory before he gazed at the patient tree once again. "You expect me to carry around an old sword in this new era?"
The tree chuckled once again. "Do not worry about shaming yourself. You will only need to keep it for a few weeks. It is necessary. Bakusaiga will help you heal, as well as it can aide you to fight once more if the need ever rise. It is your sword. And is you."
Sesshomaru nodded calmly and picked off the crusted soil on the sword's sheathe. It had been so long since he relinquished the sword to Bokuseno. The sword was no longer needed during peace, and he trusted the demon tree to keep it safe for him.
Bokuseno shook his bough. "Now that that's over, why don't I also give you advice also about the human you brought here?"
Sesshomaru stiffened. Sometimes the tree just KNOWS too much. "I am not interested." He turned to leave.
Bokuseno's old eyes twinkled, but it was replaced with sadness. "Please hear me out my Lord. It is important."
Sesshomaru stopped and blinked slowly. Bokuseno had never begged him before.
"What I have to say may surprise you. And it is best that you are prepared."
By then, Bokuseno got the cold demon's full attention.
Sesshomaru fixed his amber eyes on him. "Speak, wise old tree."
o-o-o-o-o
So who wants the next chapter to be… steamy? How about maybe Sesshy's late gift for Rin? Oh Lordy. Let me know, you naughty readers. Haha!
