(Author's notes)
Hey there everybody! Sorry about the slow update! The finals and swing of the new semester AND THE SNOW…have all really just been slowing me down lately. Anyway, storytime! ^_^
(Story)
Everybody was silent and motionless as God glanced around the room, striking everybody with his deep blue eyes. Even Sesshomaru felt himself freeze in his presence. When God's eyes fell upon Rin's lifeless body, Sesshomaru noticed a certain shimmer in them, like they were watering. God then heaved a heavy sigh and turned to a shameful Aimi.
"Lady Aimi, I know about how the Gods appointed you with this task to bring peace to this land…and I also know about how you failed. So now, the Gods have destined that if your daughter were to finish the duties that you started…that she would perish. Do you deny this?" God asked assertively. Aimi just continued to stare away from him as she shook her head.
"No, my Lord." She quietly responded. God then returned his gaze over to Sesshomaru, who was still clenching Rin's cold body.
"Sesshomaru of the West…how much do you love the woman who now lies dead in your arms?" God asked with intensity apparent in his eyes. Sesshomaru took a moment to gaze at the corpse he held.
"Much more than even I could imagine. I wish that she were back here…but…not for myself. It's never been about me! I wanted for her to feel and experience prosperity. She'd suffered so much for so long! I know that deep in her heart, she wished for a world with no war…no senseless deaths! And when she finally got the chance to experience coexistence and peace…she was mercilessly stripped of this life!" Sesshoamru exclaimed. As he spoke, he could feel the tears start to stream from his eyes once more.
"And now…I feel that because I was the chance that the Demigod Prophesy spoke about, and she fulfilled it…I can't help but feel that I killed her! I'll never forgive myself for this!" Sesshomaru exclaimed, not even bothering trying to hold back his sobs. God just calmly looked on as he watched the mourning demon. After a few moments, God heaved another heavy sigh before speaking.
"If that is true, then so be it. I will preserve Rin's soul for reincarnation." He said. The entire room was silent as God said this. Aimi then pulled her head up and looked at God for the first time.
"M-my Lord…what did you say?" she stuttered in disbelief.
"I will find the spirit of this child, preserve it, and reincarnate her. The Gods have carried out this sentence…but what you said before was true Sesshomaru. She never got to experience the peace that she desired. The Gods had no right to believe that one soul is equal to another; and therefore, one soul could suffer for that other soul. So, I'm going to give Rin another chance in life. Her reincarnation will also hold all of the memories and experiences that she had in this life locked inside of her soul. But Sesshomaru…it will be up to you to find her reincarnation. You will have to be the one to recognize her and help her unlock the memories of her past life. When she sees you, she will remember everything…including you." God said softly and kindly. Sesshoamru felt his eyes stop releasing tears as his eyes widened in shock.
"Y-you can actually do that?" he stuttered. God just glanced back and smiled at the stunned demon and nodded his head.
"All the same, the girl you hold in your arms now deserves a proper burial. She's the one who help you unlock a new level of peace in this land. Bury her…and bury the malice of an old age as you enter a new era." God said. As he finished, a dove flew on his shoulder and cooed. Sesshomaru, Minoru, and Kohaku then noticed that Aimi was no longer in the room.
Hmm…she must've returned back into the dove.
Sure enough, the touched its beak on God's cheek before gliding over to Rin's cold hand. Everybody watched at the dove touched its beak to Rin's hand before jumping toward the floor. Sesshoamru then glanced up to express his gratitude to God, but found nothing in front of him but empty space.
What the…? He's gone!
At that moment, he heard the soft flutter of wings and turned around just in time to watch the dove fly out of the window towards the sky.
As he watched the dove slowly disappear, Sesshomaru's face went from sadness and disbelief to determination as he became filled with content. He pressed Rin's body closer to his chest as he continued to gaze up at the sky.
Rin…I will find you again. I don't know where and I don't know when, but I'll search for you and I won't stop until you are safe in my arms again. I swear it on my very soul!
(Author's notes)
Heads up! The next chapter will conclude 'Duties', so stick around for the finale! I promise to update soon so that 1.) The story will be finished; and 2.) I'll feel a sense of accomplishment! ^_^