Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Suffer It
I stop my car just outside a wealthy mansion. I whistle softly as I take in the luxurious and well taken care of garden around it and the elegance oozing from every corner of the grand house. I've never seen many small masterpieces like this but then again should I expect less from an acquaintance of my boss?
I grab the mysterious portfolio and check the address. Everything corresponded to what Mr. Naraku wrote and not wanting to delay this any longer I close the door and walk towards the large metal gates. I pause to admire the patterns masterfully crafted and wonder how many could such work cost. I sure well know I could never come to afford it but dreaming never hurt. I buzzed the doorbell and it took a while for me to receive an answer. I was just about to come back later but a rugged and tired voice came out of the intercom.
-What business do you have with my master?
I blink at the man's choice of words. For some reason I find it weird that some people were still called such things as "master".
-Just a delivery from a partner of his.
There was a pause and then a grunt.
-Hold on.
I let out a small sigh and wait. I look down at the portfolio in my hands and frown. Despite everything I find myself immensely curious. I fight against the urge to just open it and see what's inside. Mr. Naraku can sure be creepy when he wants to.
There was another buzz followed by the sound of the gates slowly opening and a butler awaited me just outside the main door. I timidly walked towards him and nodded as a greeting.
The man looked slightly irritated but was trying his best not to make his fake smile obvious.
-Welcome to the Taishou estate, Miss…?
I give him a small smile and almost reply but instantly I remember my boss' words and shut my mouth.
-I am instructed not to give any personal information. I am here only to deliver this to Mr. Taishou.
His smile quickly disappeared and he crossed his arms before bowing stiffly.
-As you will. Please follow me. My master is in his office.
He opened the door and held it up for me. I mumbled a shy thanks and stepped in. I couldn't help but feel slightly uneasy when the butler closed the door behind me and passed by me.
-This way.
I cradle the portfolio to my chest and tried to keep up with his hurried pace as best as I could. I huff. I should have changed to a more comfortable footwear. He leads me up elegant and large stairs until we reached the third floor. My mouth dropped open a bit as I take in the marvelous art that added such beauty to the long hallways.
There were old looking family pictures and I could tell that this family was extremely important not only because of its wealth but for its rich past too. The Taishou name lived on for centuries.
I'm so absorbed by everything around me that I bump into the butler's back as he suddenly stops. He looks at me annoyed and I avert my eyes mumbling a sheepish "sorry". He snorts and knocks on the heavy looking door in front of us. I look to my side and yelp, surprised by the horrifying looking dog statue staring right into my eyes. I notice a small mocking smirk make its way in the butler's lips and I try to compose myself.
There was a deep, mature voice coming from the other side.
-Come in.
The butler opened the door and gestured for me to go inside. I hesitantly did and another shiver coursed through my spine as another door closed behind me. I felt like I was suffocating. I looked around and my mouth completely opened. His office was huge!
-Come closer, girl.
My eyes snap towards the direction of his voice and I stare. And stare.
He stares right back at me with dazzling amber eyes.
-If my hair wasn't silver already I would say you were getting me gray hairs from all this unnecessary waiting.
I gasp and feel my cheeks heat up in embarrassment. I clumsily bow in respect and apologize. He chuckles and the sound of it brings me back to the times of my own father's warmth.
He does look like a father.
The air he carried himself about just screamed "father". I cleared my throat and rested the portfolio in his desk.
-I was given orders to deliver this to you, sir. No questions asked.
I take a deep breath and avoid his stare. His oh so familiar stare. He hums and looks me over.
-You remind me of someone.
I frown but remained silent.
-What was her name…? My, age seems to have finally gotten me. Her name was imprinted in my mind.
I nibble on my bottom lip. I feel uncomfortable. I don't know what to do. The only thing I expected was for him to be as cold and business like just as my boss and dismiss right after I delivered the damned portfolio. I never really expected him to engage in some sort of conversation with me.
He seems to notice my discomfort and chuckles again. This time it was humorless and it made me feel bad for a reason. I smile weakly.
-It may be possible that you remember me. I used to live in this neighborhood when I was a child.
He raised an eyebrow and his once downtrodden expression lit up slightly. My smile widened a bit at that. I felt an odd satisfaction in seeing him better which was totally ridiculous. I never met this man.
He looked down at the portfolio and then at me. He caressed his neatly shaved face.
-No questions asked, hum?
I nod stiffly. I see him reach to open it and my curiosity is piqued.
Run away…
I blink. My instincts suggest otherwise. The air became thick with tension.
-Rin…
I yelp in surprise and Mr. Taishou quickly retracts his hand away from the portfolio.
I see him. I see him again!
He's behind Mr. Taishou. His eyes have gone back to the eerie glowing crimson and hands rested on the man's shoulders. Claw like nails seemed to dig into his flesh. I gasp but whimper confused when the older man seemed fine and oblivious to the situation.
-Are you alright, girl? You look extremely pale all of a sudden.
I shakily nod and close my eyes.
Go away. Go away. Go away…
A gentle swoosh tickles my ears and his voice whispers. The voice echoes in my mind.
-Look at me.
And I do. My vision starts to blur almost immediately. I cannot withstand his crimson gaze when he's like this. His voice may have sounded smooth and silky but there was an unmistakable undertone of deep anger in it.
His eyes soften somewhat and, entranced, I watch his hand rest on my face and drag those claws across it. I can feel my flesh ripping; I can hear it. The hot blood drips down my cheek and at the corner of my eye I see Mr. Taishou getting up from his chair and walking towards me, worried.
-Rin…
-A-Ah!
I gasp. My body feels like it's on fire. And not in the good way. I look at Mr. Taishou and pitifully beg.
-Water…please…
The cruel being holding my cheek smirked and then snarled, exposing fang shaped teeth.
-I cannot allow this…
His voice sounds almost desperate. I wonder what he's so keen on stopping before I feel myself falling. Once again.
The last thing I see is Mr. Taishou hurrying to catch me and hear his kind voice mumbling something about calling for a doctor.