Alright, well I have to start off by saying I'M SO SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG IN UPDATING! It's been forever, but here is the next installment of "Goodbye isn't forever" :)
Review Corner
Sesshrin devoter: thanks so much for your review and again I'm sorry for not updating for a long time, but I had horrible writer's block for this story. But now I'm back with a WHOLE new set of ideas! Hehe, enjoy! P.S. I think this chapter will make you happy!
Riskasay: aww thanks :) this idea of writing Shippo this way kinda came out of no where. I was watching Fruits Basket a while ago and for some reason thought that Kyo could pass off as an older Shippo. Then the wheels turned in my head and this whole idea of Shippo fighting an inward battle with his demon as well as his feelings for Rin could be really cool! Thanks for the review, by the way ;)
CutieSOS: loved your review! Hope you like this chapter too!! Keep reviewing too! Whenever I see your pen name I get all excited to read what you've thought of my chapter!
I am the Wind Mizuki Kay: haha I love my Shippo. He was my favorite character at the beginning of Inuyasha, but that was until Sesshomaru showed up :)
Rin Bluegold: thanks so much for your review! Yeah, Kaede always the hardest to write dialogue for, and I always reread what I've written for her and keep second guessing myself a lot. I'll definitely work on it though. Always love hearing ways I can improve :)
musicgodess3: thanks for your review! I also love the no rush part too, because this chapter was really really thought out. Plus it's nice to have patient readers :)
seshomaru94: Thanks for your review! Yeah, having Rin become a miko was more of a way for Rin to get out of having to marry a human. I also was really trying to have Rin believe that if she becomes stronger and can prove her worth, that Sesshomaru will see her in a new light and find her "mate worthy".
Jennesse: I think that it's so awesome that you've decided to venture out towards other couples in Inuyasha, and chosen MY story to do it with :) I'm incredibly flattered! I also am working on a Kag/Sessh story with a very close Fatherly relationship with Sesshy and Rin, if that would be something you're interested in. While I enjoy some Kag/Sessh stories, I have to say that I'm still a very strong Sessh/Rin fan :)
Dream weaver's victim: glad you lurve it lol, hope you lurve this chapter too!! :)
IsabellaXMoon: yup, but no worries. Rin's sadness will soon end, I can promise you that!
(Divider)
"What is it Lady Kaede?" Rin asked as she took in the piece of glass that the old priestess was still holding. It doesn't look very significant, Rin thought as she eyed the glass. Of course whenever she thought that there was always something to an ordinary object that she tended to miss. Lady Kaede looked over at her before answering.
"It's a shard of glass filled with demonic aura. I had Shippo convert some of his into this piece as well as many others scattered across the village," Rin's eyebrows shot up in surprise at Kaede words and then narrowed her eyes at the piece of glass as she studied it again. When she looked closer she did spot a faint greenish aura circulating around the shard.
"I wish to see how well ye purify this shard. Any priestess can sense demonic aura and purify it," Kaede explained and handed her the shard. Rin looked at the piece a little warily and didn't extend her hand to accept it. So many humans have been taken over by demonic aura, what's to say that I won't be either, even though it is only a small amount? She thought and glanced back at Kaede. Kaede smiled kindly at her, but continued to hold her arm out towards her.
"Do not fear, I will purify it if this is too much for ye to handle," Kaede promised. Rin's eyes softened slightly at her words and she knew that if she didn't do it, than she wouldn't be able to go any further in studying to become a miko. This is something that I have to do, something I need to know how to do Rin thought with determination as she slowly reached out to grab for the glass.
Rin took a deep breath as her fingers circled the shard and noted that Kaede also seemed to be holding her breath. Once her fingertips felt the sharp edge of the glass, Rin was flooded with the feeling of demonic aura transferring from the glass and up her arm with alarming speed. She let out a light gasp as she felt it coarse through her body and intertwine itself around her own human aura.
"I don't believe it," she heard Kaede say and quickly looked to the older woman for answers. Kaede's mouth was slightly opened in surprise and she seemed to be staring almost in awe at her. "W-What is happening to me Lady Kaede?" Rin asked, her voice shaking in slight fear. Rin noted that Kohaku tensed beside her and rested his hand on the weapon at his hip. Kaede's eyes darted towards the young demon slayer and outstretched her arm towards him, signaling him to stop. He noted her movement and grimaced slightly before letting his body relax and watched Rin helplessly.
"The demonic aura...it's almost like it's...dancing with your own," Kaede whispered and Rin turned from Kaede's widened eyes towards her arm and saw that parts of her arm were glowing the same greenish color that the demonic aura had been. When she focused her vision she noted that it wasn't parts of her arm that were glowing, but the aura itself had become almost ribbon shaped. The greenish ribbons were covering her almost like a piece of clothing would and did seem to "dance" around her arm.
Rin adverted her eyes to the ground and noted that the aura had traveled down her body and coiled around her miko kimono much like it had around her arm. "Is it trying to control me?" Rin asked and Kaede took a moment to answer, and shook her head as she spoke.
"I don't know. I've never seen this happen before. If a person is taken over, usually the aura is fierce and quick in it's possession of a host. But this aura...it seems perfectly content on just circulating around ye," Kaede replied, "try to move your body and see what the aura will do," she added and Rin nodded at her before slowly removing her hand from the piece of glass first before she tried moving her entire body. Bracing herself for the worst Rin tensed her shoulders and spread her legs out a little further as she began to detach her fingers from the shard.
As her fingers slid away Rin waited for the aura to take hold of her or to disappear, but it did neither when she removed her hand from the shard and let it fall effortlessly to her side. In fact, it continued to circulate around her, almost as if it were unaware that she had moved at all. Rin turned her gaze to Kaede and waited for the older woman to speak. At least say something! Rin thought worriedly as she pondered if it would be a good idea to try and take a step now that removing her hand from the glass had done nothing to trigger an action from the demonic aura.
"Take a step towards me," Kaede whispered and brought her arms up as if to stop her, but when she didn't move she motioned for her to come closer. Rin nodded determinedly at her before rising her left leg and pausing mid-step, waiting for a response from the demonic aura. Yet it still did nothing. With slightly more confidence, Rin placed her foot on the ground and finished making her step. Still the aura did nothing other than circulate her in it's enchanting dance.
"It seems to be stationary on the surface of your body," Kaede stated, seeming surprised and slightly amused. Rin stared down at her arm again and wondered why the aura would do such a thing. Could it be so timid because it's Shippo's aura and not from a demon that wants to kill me? Rin thought as she looked at either side of her arm before an idea popped in her head. I wonder if I could... she thought as she zeroed in on the piece of glass still in Kaede's grasp. Focusing her vision solely on the glass, Rin envisioned the aura returning to it's previous host. She willed it to move with all her might, but the aura remained on her body.
"Stubborn," Rin muttered, but squeaked in surprise when the aura began to glow and slowly make it's way back to the glass. Rin watched as the aura circled around her body and spiraled over her arm before gracefully spinning towards Kaede. Kaede let out a soft gasp and brought her hands up to protect herself, but let them fall when she noted that the aura was only returning to the glass shard. Once the last of the aura was back inside the glass Kaede brought it up to her face to inspect it before letting out a sigh.
"It has returned in the same shape that it had been before ye touched it. Yet it seemed so tame when it was around your body, but now that it's returned into the glass it seems to be just as deadly as before," Kaede observed as the aura flared around the glass. Rin walked up to the piece of glass and studied it further before proposing an idea. "What if I try to call on my powers and touch the shard?" Rin asked and Kaede furrowed her brows in confusion.
"But weren't you already using your powers to control the aura?" Kaede asked in return. "Only to send it back into the glass," Rin replied and Kaede stared down at the shard for a moment before presenting it to her. "Try then," she stated.
Rin closed her eyes then and began envisioning the peaceful images that she had always reverted to for calling on her powers. Images of the sunset, the moon, the ocean, and the rhythmic sound of waves crashing on the shore. Instantly her body relaxed and she opened her eyes with new found confidence as she reached for the shard. When her fingertips made contact she felt them grow warm and saw a faint white glow emitting from them and waited for something to happen. A moment later the flaring aura began to settle and shrink into a small ball of energy at the center of the shard.
Rin waited for it to be purified, but the aura never disappeared. It just remained in the center of the glass, completely tamed. What could this mean? Rin thought as she removed her hand when she was certain that the aura would not purify. Am I not a miko then? Rin questioned as her eyes lowered and she felt her eyelids moisten when a wave of tears that threatened to fall. She knew that Kaede would not allow her to continue training if she couldn't harness the basics of miko training. Then she'd be forced to marry a human man in the village and...never see Lord Sesshomaru again.
"This is definitely not miko powers, and yet it seems to be stronger," Kaede murmured and Rin's head shot up in surprise. Stronger? Rin thought, was there still a slight chance that her future wasn't sealed to a life of misery?
"Ye were unable to purify the aura, but could control it. In both taming it and controlling where it travels to. These two things are an impossibility for mikos, but I cannot use ye as a protector of the Shikon Jewel. I'm sorry," Kaede stated and Rin felt her chest tighten and her mind fill with dread. She's going to say it, I just know it, Rin thought as she blinked a couple of times to stop the flow of tears.
"You're going to tell me that since I no longer need to remain pure for the jewel that I should marry," Rin sadly murmured as she adverted her eyes from the priestess, unable to look at her when she knew what was coming.
"Yes," Kaede replied and Rin winced slightly before she fisted her hands.
"I can still act like a miko and protect the village! You said my powers were even stronger than a mikos, so I can be useful!" Rin fought back and bit her lip to hold in a sob when she noted that Kaede's expression never faltered.
"Yes ye can be useful, but if ye cannot purify demonic aura than ye cannot properly care for the jewel," Kaede replied gently, and seemed to sense that the news would upset Rin.
"It's just...not fair," Rin murmured and bowed her head so her bangs covered her eyes, "marriage should be a joyous occasion. Not something someone is forced into," she murmured and winced when she heard the raw emotion that cut at her throat and caused her voice to shake as she tried her hardest not to become a sobbing mess. There was a moment of silence before Rin heard Kaede sigh, "I will not force ye to marry, but I strongly suggest that ye keep it in consideration," Kaede stated. Rin switched her eyes from the ground to Kaede's adverted eyes before a large smile spread across Rin's lips. She's not going to force me to marry! Rin thought happily and never thought she ever liked Kaede as much as she did right then. She hurriedly ran to the priestess's side before throwing her arms around her neck in a tight hug.
"Thank you Lady Kaede! You don't know how happy you've made me!" Rin exclaimed, her smile still plastered to her lips. Kaede let out another defeated sigh before gently patting the girl's back. Rin gave Kaede another tight squeeze before letting go and taking a step back to allow space between them. Kaede gave her a half smile before speaking. "Well, since my pretest didn't go as planned, I suppose we'll have to collect the other missing pieces of glass around the village,"
"I'll search for them!" Rin volunteered with another wide smile, "I can still detect demonic aura. If I find the other pieces I can better hone my skills," Rin added and Kaede nodded towards her. Rin rolled up her kimono sleeves up to her elbows before waving a quick goodbye to Kaede and began to walk away. Rin smiled at Kohaku and signaled for him to follow, the demon slayer gave her a half smile before following her. Kaede watched with sad eyes as the young girl walked away with the man who loved her at her heels. It must've hurt him so much to see her so happy with not having to marry a human, Kaede thought as she watched Kohaku's receding form. A moment later Kaede switched to Rin and couldn't help but smile at the odd girl she was turning out to be. She had no direction nor destination in mind, but Kaede didn't miss the slight skip in her step as Rin went on her way.
(Divider)
"Sesshomaru, you've run off again," Inukimi* called as she made her way over to her son who was presently sitting underneath a tree. "I did not 'run off' mother," Sesshomaru scolded in return to his mother's comment. A small smile spread across Inukimi's face as she intertwined her arms within her silk kimono sleeves.
"Is that so? Than why haven't you shown up to any of my scheduled meetings with the nearby demon lords? I have met many powerful demons with suitable single daughters, and you haven't met any," she responded, though the monotone of her voice never faltered. Rather, she sounded more amused than angry with him. It was the one trait of their personalities that his mother and Sesshomaru shared.
His golden eyes lazily traveled to his mother as his jaw tightened ever so slightly. "I've told you that I detest meeting others in such a way. Meetings should be meaningful, rather than 'scheduled,'" Sesshomaru retorted. Inukimi's small smile never faltered as she surveyed her son.
"You've been...distracted lately," she began, and didn't continue until she was sure she had his full attention, "what little world have you escaped to, my son?" she added with a hint of amusement. Sesshomaru turned his gaze away from her and closed his eyes, "Your topic of conversation bores me," he commented, and noted with slight agitation that his mother was still standing a few feet away from him. He had openly dismissed her, and yet she continued to stand there like they were still conversing.
"Such blatant disrespect towards the one that gave you life. Have I taught you nothing at all?" his mother asked with slight agitation, "I must say that I am glad for your absence from my meetings. The demons' daughters would've donned you a barbarian and would want nothing to do with you," his mother mused. Sesshomaru didn't comment and decided it was best to ignore her. Once she realized that her words had no effect on him, she'd give up and leave.
"Of course I could always have my servants fetch that little human girl of yours and bring her here, if such an action would clear your head. I'm sure my human servants would have great fun with her, since you've decided not to claim her as your concubine," Inukimi suggested coyly. Sesshomaru reverted his gaze back to his mother with a slight growl before realizing his mistake a second too late. A smug smirk played across Inukimi's face as she assessed her son's features before speaking.
"So she is the key to your inner turmoil, isn't she Sesshomaru?" she asked with a knowing spark in her eyes. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed slightly at her before turning his head away to continue in his attempt to ignore her. He should have known from the start that her ploy was to get information about Rin out of him. His mother had commented on Rin when she had first met her eleven years ago, and seemed to already know that he had cared for her then. Rin had been his, was still his if he ever saw it fit to fetch her to travel with again, and he would never allow something to happen to what was his.
Of course he hadn't realized just how far Rin had crawled under his skin and burrowed into his heart until he had lost her soul in Hell. The fact that there was nothing that he could do to save her had shaken Sesshomaru to the core. The thought of never seeing her smile at him again, or to hear her light laugh that sounded like chime bells had brought out an anger towards himself he had never felt before.
She's gone, and you did nothing! He had thought to himself over and over again as he held her cold lifeless body to his chest. Never had he felt so powerless, so helpless. Had he never known her, had she been the nameless orphan girl that had approached him bearing food, her loss would've meant nothing to him. If her soul was forever lost in Hell and his tenseiga strengthened, he wouldn't have cared. That fact alone proved to him that Rin meant more to him than just a possession, more so than even as his ward.
"You've gone and done it again," Inukimi sighed impatiently. "Done what?" he couldn't help but ask.
"Gone into your own little world and forgotten about the rest of us," she replied in a bored tone, "do you think of your human pet whenever you go there?" she asked curiously.
"She isn't my pet," he snapped before growling inwardly at his foolishness at taking the bait his mother kept throwing at him. A knowing smile returned to her face as she eyed her son with a suspicious glint in her golden orbs. "You are very protective of this girl's reputation. First, you don't want to make her your concubine and now you don't want me to think of her as your pet. What is she then Sesshomaru? What is she to you?" his mother interrogated.
"She is nothing," he seethed, "merely a test subject of the tenseiga,"
"If that's true, then you won't object to me sending some of my warriors to kill her? It really would be a nuisance to keep in relations with her, all your enemies would just use her as leverage. Not to mention that feelings for a human weaken a demon's strength, and result in a miserable end. You father was proof of that," Inukimi answered while brushing her fingertips over her claws as if she were talking about changing the paint color of the castle walls.
"I'll kill every last one of the men you send," he promised darkly as his claws began to glow a light green from the venom that had started to seep off his claws.
"Will you? Then I suppose it'd be a waste of time. I do enjoy keeping my staff alive," Inukimi replied, completely ignoring the threatening stance her son was now in as she stretched her arm out to survey her claws.
"I'd like to know this human of yours," his mother stated absentmindedly after a pause. Sesshomaru let his hand drop to the ground and relaxed his stance in slight surprise of his mother's words. It could be a trap, he thought with another inward growl, she'd probably kill Rin on the spot. He could fight off his mother of course. While she was the leader of the West he was still far more powerful. InuTashio had been more powerful than his mother, and Sesshomaru had surpassed his father's strength long ago.
"You cannot blame me for my curiosity," Inukimi stated with a slightly amused smirk, "you've never held feelings for anyone. Yet when that little human girl died eleven years ago, it seemed as if a part of you died along with her," she added before gently reaching out to caress Sesshomaru's face. Though Sesshomaru never allowed anyone to touch him, he allowed his mother's hand to remain on his jaw. Inukimi was never known for being overly affectionate, and expressing any sort of affection was rare coming from the demoness. She had never shown any signs of love towards Sesshomaru when she had raised him, and had shown even less towards InuTashio. So he allowed it, for now.
"I am not a cruel mother Sesshomaru. If the girl makes you happy," Inukimi visibly shivered in disgust at the use of the word 'happy' before continuing, "than I will not object in allowing her to live here. I only have one condition,"
"What would be your condition?" Sesshomaru asked, and hated how hopeful his voice sounded even as he tried to mask it. Hope, this is what hope feels like, he thought to himself, bemused. He had never hoped for anything, he had always known things. Known he would become a powerful dog demon, known he would take over his father's castle, known that all would fear his wrath should someone upset him. But he had never hoped for something. Hope was a promise that something wasn't certain, and he hated realizing that his mother had all the control in Rin's possible future with him.
"She will become my ward," Inukimi replied with a deadly smile before removing her hand from his face and letting it fall to her side. Instantly Sesshomaru knew his mother had something planned. He recognized that smile, it mirrored his own that would cross his lips when he had the upper hand in a situation, and knew it.
"What use would Rin be to you?" Sesshomaru asked, not caring that his suspicions were written all over his face. Inukimi eyed him for a moment before replying, seeming to enjoy the somewhat emotional side of her son that was coming to the surface all of the sudden.
"If you wish her to be by your side, and be taken seriously as a companion rather than a whore, than she must be trained in becoming a Lady of the West. And who better to teach her than the Lady of the West?" Inukimi asked back, "she will not become your mate by being trained to become the Lady of the West. But if she wishes to be respected, and remain alive, than she has to become involved in demon society," she added and Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed as he realized his hands were tied. Though his mother was right, and Rin would be seen as a plaything or supper without being deemed as important for a human, he couldn't shake the feeling that his mother was trapping him. What is she scheming? He wondered as he thought over his options.
"I will not harm her if she were to 'suddenly appear' on my doorstep," Inukimi promised before lazily stringing her fingers through her silvery hair, "I'll leave you to your pondering, but do not take too long. I might decide to change my mind,"
(Divider)
*Inukimi = Sesshomaru's mother. I don't know her real name, and not sure if her name was ever mentioned in the manga. I have seen this name pop up a lot when I search for her Online though, and kind of like it, so I'm going to use it :)
Again I'm sorry for taking FOREVER with this chapter, but I had writer's block for a while until now. Oh how I love when bursts of inspiration hits me at random times! :) I also really tried to write more of my characters' feelings in this chapter because I've gotten a lot of criticism on leaving that out in my writing. Constructive criticism of course! And I love it, so if you catch any mistakes or want to see more of something in my writing don't be afraid to tell me!!
