Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha
I didn't mean to! I'm sorry for the long wait for last chapter. I paid for my internet, a week later it broke and before we could fix it it got cut off again. I just recently fixed it and had to wait FOREVER to turn it back on. I swear, for those who don't know me well, I don't usually take this long to update. And, to prove it to you, instead of waiting out for more reviews like I usually do, here's the next chapter(that I wrote while waiting for my internet to get fixed and turned back on)!XDXDXD!
Chapter 9: Howls in the Night
Rin came to slowly. She had been moved to her room and tucked carefully into bed. She sat up, feeling stiff and uncomfortable. She looked down and saw she was still in the pink dress from earlier. Someone had removed her jewels and shoes but she was still wearing everything else. It was no wonder she wasn't comfortable.
She looked around and out her window into the darkness of night. Had she slept through the whole day?
She felt shame course hot through her veins. After promising to herself not to be weak anymore, she had fainted!
Rin jumped when a howl, the same from the last night, broke the silence of the night.
"Again…?" she whispered to herself.
"He can't help it."
Rin jumped again and her eyes shot to the corner of her room, by the door.
"My lord!" Rin put a hand to her chest because it felt as though it might beat right out of her chest.
He was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed carelessly.
How long had he been there? Why was Sesshomaru spending so much time in her room?
More importantly, why didn't that creep her out?
"It's Kouga." Sesshomaru said quietly as another howl started.
"Kouga?" Rin repeated, her fear replaced quickly by curiosity. Why was he howling like this? Come to think of it, she hadn't seen him at all that day? What was happening in this castle?
"He's in the dungeons." Sesshomaru looked at the door as if the dungeons lay just beyond. "He's bound at his wrists, that's why he howls."
"Bound…" Rin said so quickly she might as well have just mouthed the word. "Why? Wasn't he your follower? Why did you throw him in the dungeons?"
"He did it himself." Sesshomaru looked at her again, his eyes completely emotionless.
"Kouga wouldn't want that!" Rin jumped to his defense. Kouga had been nice to her, why would Sesshomaru do this to him? "This is your fault!"
Rin jumped again and slammed her mouth closed. What was she doing? She was mouthing off to the single most terrifying person she had ever set eyes upon! Did she have a death wish?
"I won't deny it." Sesshomaru nodded once in acknowledgment.
Rin blinked in confusion. More…secrets? Or was he being intentionally confusing?
"What…?" she asked at last.
"Kagome would have me not tell you, given her way." Sesshomaru said simply. "However, I don't care if you know or not. I-"
There was another howl followed by a loud crash and the floor shook a little.
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed slightly, then he was gone and Rin was looking around in fear.
She waited but there wasn't another howl.
Because it would make her feel better, she got up and ran to lock her door.
It wouldn't do much good if someone was determined to get in, especially not these demons. But still, it made Rin feel more secure.
She didn't care that she was still in her gown, she ran back to her bed and covered herself up like a frightened child. What she wouldn't give for something, anything, familiar!
A while later, there was another shake and, after another couple of minutes, the howling restarted.
Rin didn't sleep that night.
XxXxXxX
Though it didn't really surprise her, Rin was still a little worried that Kagome hadn't come with her usual morning greeting. Sometime after the sun rose, there was a knock on her door and, when she opened it, there was a breakfast tray laying outside.
She took it in and ate gratefully, starving. Her appetite was disappearing a lot lately, but finally seeing the food made her ravenous.
No one came to see her and no one laughed and played outside. What had happened last night? Somehow, she didn't really want to know.
Again, it wasn't surprising, but there was another rose waiting for her on her writing desk.
Because she needed something to do, after she put it in the vase with the other two, she began writing a letter to her father. She knew better than to think it would actually make it to him, but she wrote it anyway. It made her feel better, even after she put it away knowing it would never be sent off. She resolved to write her unsent letters more often. As a sort of healing experiment she supposed.
When she put it in the writing desk drawer, she found a journal. It was bound in red dyed leather and the parchment inside was thick and formal. Again, because she needed something to do, she wrote in it, to herself this time. Unlike her letter home, which had been full of reassurances and lies about the good time she was having, she wrote about her awful first few days. Then she pressed the first rose between the pages. It kind of felt important.
After that, she sat back and looked out her window for a while. Around noon, another knock came and Rin wasn't all that shocked to see another meal tray waiting for her.
It was funny, she hadn't been offered any food for a long time, now suddenly they were feeding her perfectly on schedule. It should have been nothing and yet somehow it just felt like another layer to this mysterious castle.
Well, she did have the rest of her life to find out.
It was like that for the next few days. They didn't come in, she didn't leave. It kind of felt like a stalemate on a battle field. Rin spent most of her time gazing out her window from her chair. If Sesshomaru still came to see her at night, she couldn't tell. There were no roses those nights which made her think he hadn't.
Watching out the window was soothing to her soul. Sometimes she thought she saw something moving in the forest but it was always gone before Rin could get a good look. About three days into her isolation, she saw wolves starting to gather at the front gate. At first it was just a few, then a whole pack gathered. By the time Rin got worried, Inuyasha went out and scarred them all away. Yet Rin knew they were still out there, waiting for something.
At night, the howls still rang out but they had taken on a more desperate tone. More like an animal in a trap than the terrifying nightmarish howls from before. She supposed it was because she knew their source now.
Somehow, her days alone weren't boring. In fact, it was a welcome relief. She was able to get her thoughts in order, get her emotions and loneliness under control. When she thought of the secrets all round her, she began thinking up reasons for them. She was sure they were all far from the truth but it still made her feel better.
Around the fifth day of her solitude, the customary noon knock came at her door but before Rin could get up to get her tray, Kagome came in bringing in both the tray and a happy smile.
"Evening, Rin." She said as if the last five days hadn't happened. "Have you slept well."
"Very well." Rin stood up and greeted Kagome with a smile, probably the first real smile she had shown in a long, long time, on her face.
"Great!" Kagome beamed as if she noticed the difference. "Have you liked the food?"
"It's delicious." Rin said as Kagome set the tray on the desk.
Kagome looked up and noticed Rin had moved the desk chair to the window.
"Ayame made it just for you." She said. "Sorry we've been neglecting you. We don't eat as much as you do and we've been alone so long we've forgotten how often normal people have to eat."
Though she said it in an offhand way, Rin grasped the sentence with both hands. It gave her much more information that Kagome had probably realized.
They had missed giving her food because they didn't eat as much. And, though Kagome probably wouldn't notice it, she had said 'normal people'. She hadn't made the distinction between human and demon that Rin made. Did that mean that Kagome and the others had been 'normal' at one point? And Kagome had said 'so long'. How long did you have to be a certain way before your forgot what it was like before you weren't that way? Years? Decades? This castle was very run down, how long did it take fore a castle to look as neglected as this one did?
And, most importantly, how had they changed? Why were they no longer 'normal'? Did this have something to do with Kouga and the howling?
She knew Kagome wouldn't tell her so she didn't bother asking.
"It's alright." Rin assured her as she took a deep breath and smelled the food. "To be honest, I wasn't actually that hungry."
Kagome laughed. "I imagine not. Your life was turned around bit. It's a wonder you can even think."
"I know you insist I'm your guest," Rin started, "but there has to be something I can do. I can't just sit in here everyday."
"I guess not." Kagome agreed reluctantly. "But I can't think of anything. We have everything pretty much covered."
"There has to be something." Rin insisted. "I'll go out of my mind if I have to sit in here alone everyday."
Rin sighed. "How about exploring?" She asked after a second of thinking. "This is my home, right? Can't I look around a bit?"
"We gave you a tour." Kagome said blankly.
"I know." Rin shrugged. "But I still get lost sometimes. I already know the rules. Can't I just wander a little?"
"Hmm…" Kagome bit her lip. "I suppose it's alright. Just remember-"
"-the rules." Rin finished, feeling excited at her small victory. "I know. I'll be careful."
"Alright." Kagome smiled back. "I'll get back to work. You go ahead."
"Thanks!" Rin beamed. Then paused as Kagome left. She said 'work'? But Kagome had said that the castle didn't really need much upkeep. What had changed?
She put it on her ever growing list of questions and left her room gratefully. She had needed her days off but now she was back. Time to be the Rin her siblings would recognize and be proud of.
XxXxXxX
"She's bored." Inuyasha said as he watched Rin walk into the main chamber. She looked excited and not a little happy. She didn't notice or hear him from his position on the second floor overlooking the entrance hall and next to the grand staircase.
"She's found a way to entertain herself." Sesshomaru said, not looking. He was standing just out of sight, in the shadows if the hallway.
"No offense to your place, brother, but this castle is only interesting for so long." Inuyasha smirked as Rin opened a supply closet and jumped as a broomstick almost fell on her.
Sesshomaru didn't reply.
"You keep visiting her at night." Inuyasha said after a moment of silence.
"Your point?" Sesshomaru asked without emotion.
"I thought you didn't believe anymore?" Inuyasha turned his smirk on his brother.
"I don't." Sesshomaru didn't glance his way.
"So why keep visiting her?" Inuyasha laughed.
"…She's a guest." Sesshomaru turned and walking into the west wing, leaving his sniggering brother behind. Had anyone told him before this had all happened that he would actually appreciate his brother, he would have scoffed and had the person checked by mind healers. However, Inuyasha would be the last to go. Everyone else had already developed symptoms, even Jaken. Inuyasha would be the last and that meant only one thing…
XxXxXxX
"Rin?" Ayame looked up in surprise as Rin poked her head through a door that led to the servants back staircase.
"This leads to the kitchen?" Rin asked she walked out, her sky blue dress was slightly dusty, there was a cobweb in her hair and a candle in her hand. It wasn't surprising, they hadn't used the servant's stair in ages.
"Exploring, are you?" Ayame laughed as she stirred the beef stew that was for dinner.
"Yeah, Kagome said I could." Rin said, afraid she would get in trouble.
"I think there's a fork that leads to the armory a little further back." Ayame said. "Don't close the door if you go there, the armory is locked."
"I'll remember that." Rin smiled in thanks. "Wow, that's a lot of food. Is that all that for me?" The pot on the fire was huge.
"Huh?" Ayame looked at it in surprise then laughed. "Don't be silly. It's for everyone."
"Right." Rin laughed, feeling foolish. Kagome said they didn't eat much, that didn't mean they didn't eat at all. "Do you need any help?"
"Actually." Ayame smiled. "Can you stir this for me? I have to go get some vegetables from the yard."
"Sure." Rin walked forward, happy to be of any assistance as she set the candle she was carrying down on a counter.
"Just keep it from sticking to the bottom." Ayame passed her the large stirring spoon. "I'll be back in a flash."
Rin took it and stirred in delight as Ayame walked out. It was nice to be useful. Even when she had been rich, Rin had never just lazed about all day.
She had had fun that day. Exploring such a huge place would take a while and since she had the rest of her life, she took it slow and enjoyed everything she could.
In a hall in the east wing, there had been a gorgeous tapestry hanging from the wall that had been woven with gold thread and depicted a scene of a white and glorious palace.
It almost looked like the one she was in, only this one was gray not white and it wasn't nearly so happy. Besides that, the people depicted in the tapestry had been human, not demon. Maybe this palace had a twin somewhere? The concept wasn't unheard of.
Sometime before the sunset, Rin had found a large balcony about three stories from the floor and watched the sunset over the huge forest. It was kind of peaceful.
Not long after that, she had found the servant's staircase and taken it down here.
It was a great day, very peaceful. Even the howls had been silenced that night. That worried her for a bit but she remembered what Sesshomaru said. Kouga howled because he was bound, maybe he had been released. Perhaps she would even see him soon. That would be nice. He had a very nice personality, very down to earth.
She heard footsteps and turned. "Ayame, I was won-Kouga!"
"Hey, Rin." he smirked as he walked forward.
"Kouga!" Rin turned, the stew forgotten, and beamed at him. "I've been worried about you. What happened?"
"I've been in the dungeon." he stopped in front of her and looked down. "It wasn't pleasant."
"I heard." Rin thought of the howls, then smiled again. "But you're out now. That's great!"
"Yeah. Great." He smiled at her, a fang poking out from under his lip.
"Kouga?" Rin's smiled faded. Something was…off about him. And, she knew she only saw him a few times but…Did he look different? Even the air around him seemed different.
"You look good Rin." Kouga looked over her dress and up to her eyes. "Quite…lovely."
"Thanks…" Rin said slowly, backing up a bit.
What was wrong with him? He used to remind her slightly of Inuyasha. The air of self assurance around them was identical. But now…Now he was different.
"Your wrists." she said quietly, just noticing them. They were bloodied and bruised.
"They're fine." Kouga got near her again. "And you look…" he licked his lips quickly. "Just delectable."
"Kouga." Rin ducked to the side and backed away from him. He was standing in front of the fire and smiling at her in that creepy, not-right way. The fire brought to light of what he reminded her off. He seemed more like Sesshomaru now. Dangerous, deadly. Only different. Sesshomaru's power was tightly controlled, Kouga's felt raw. Raw and wicked. "What happened to you?"
"Nothing at all." Kouga stalked forward, stalked was the only word for it. Rin felt horribly like a deer caught in a wolf's gaze.
Rin swallowed as her limbs shook in fear. She wasn't fool enough to think she could fight Kouga off, for fight she would have to do. Kouga was…different now. This wasn't the same man who had welcomed her so warmly when they first met.
Could she outrun him? She knew Sesshomaru moved like the wind. Would Kouga be able to do the same thing?
"You know Rin, you just look so…good." Kouga's eyes were glued to hers. They were hungry. It wasn't the hunger of desire. No, it was actual hunger. He licked his lips again.
Rin's eyes caught the flicker of her candle out of the corner of her eye. She knew behind her was a door that led outside because Ayame had just left through it. Could she make it?
She didn't have a choice. She had to make it. Her body was charged up, ready for anything. She could feel her own latent power in her limbs, power she wouldn't need for anything except self preservation.
She took a deep breath, said a quick mental prayer to anyone who would listen, and acted.
Her arm shot out and grabbed the burning candle. Her sudden movement made Kouga jump.
He was fast! Had he jumped before Rin made for the candle, she wouldn't have made it. But Rin moved first and had just the split second advantage she needed.
She threw the candle, burning wick, melting wax, at his face. He howled out in pain as it hit his eyes. He stopped to claw desperately at his eyes as the all-too-familiar howl rang in Rin's ears.
She didn't stop to watch, her legs propelled her desperately out the door and into the dark courtyard.
