Paper Moon.
Child of Mine. Beautiful child, you will know nothing of War, Despair or Pain. I will shield you and cradle you in my bosom. No harm shall befall you. I can promise you that to the end of my days none shall be put before you. You are my flesh and blood. Sweet bundle that has yet to arrive, you are the greatest thing I could accomplish. My one and true possession. I am at my ends, and about to split at the seams with happiness. Do you know that? Can you feel my warmth as you are cocooned? Can you feel the utter joy I have just when I simply think of holding you in my arms? My Love, my young Love..Your Mother loves you more than you can imagine. More than physically possible. I will be here when you are ready to come, take your time. Develop. Nourish. And, when you are ready, So will I.
The ground is hot as my feet stand upon it. When I close my eyes, the summer air greets me; Plays with my hair, sending it in waves in every direction. The sun kisses my skin, as I expose more of my face. Its times like this that I really appreciate living in the mountains. Its so peaceful and serene. Nothing can be heard but the soft sway of flowers, along my ankles.
"Summer is very becoming of you."
I turned to see Sesshomaru standing several feet beside me. His eyes bored into mine, just before looking into the far off distance. The sun created an ethereal, angelic glow around his frame. It contrasted against his pale skin and the silver of his hair in just the right way. Its ironic. I should be the one giving the compliments. His beauty is unmatched.
Looking around the vast fields, I remember a time when I use to play out here, all day until my body was just about to give out. Back when I was a young, slip of a girl who knew nothing of the world. Who had nothing, but a ridiculous attachment to A Demon. Its amusing, thinking of it now. Back then, I knew he was mine, and I had to be with him. I just had to. No real rhyme or reason. Its peculiar, but even as a child, I knew we were meant to be. And, nothing could deter me from that. I smoothed out the wrinkles on the front of my kimono, my hands against my protruding belly.
"In a couple months, these fields will no longer be undisturbed. Our child will be playing, hiding, and terrorizing Jaken on these fields." I said, pushing a stray hair behind my ear.
"That gives me a strange sense of déjà vu."
I laughed at his apparent sarcasm. "I don't know of what you speak. I was a pleasant and wholesome child."
Sesshomaru turned, quirking an elegant eyebrow at me, before turning back around. "How do you fare?"
I looked to my hands, as I intertwined my fingers. I knew he was asking because of what happened the previous night. I found it extremely embarrassing, now that I look back in hindsight.
(Flash Back)
Tying a bow on the side of my kimono instead of the back, I stood in front of the long mirror, combing my fingers through long tresses that seemed to get tangled. As of late, I could no longer tie my kimono against my back. It became too difficult to reach behind me. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I saw Sesshomaru come behind me, his arms against my waist as he rested his head in between the crook of my neck. I could feel his breath, as he inhaled and exhaled. My smile couldn't be wider as he kissed along the open space. My face no longer was the color of ivory, but a deep crimson. Looking up at the reflection of us, I could see the corners of his mouth turn upwards. I could not be more defeated.
Stepping back, he turned my body towards him.
"There is an unfamiliar scent along the gates. I will patrol, and make sure all is secure."
"Why can't another guard check?" My voice sounded foreign as I spoke.
"I do not want any mishaps. If This Sesshomaru goes, then I can rest comfortably knowing the problem has been taken care of."
I was going to argue, but I could tell by the look in his eyes that his word was final. I nodded in agreement.
"I will be back shortly." His hands cupped my cheek before he kissed my forehead. After that, he was gone.
I waited.
Then, I waited longer.
'Shortly' turned into an hour, which turned into two then three.
Something was wrong. It should not take this long. It was a simple patrol and yet he was still not home. There must have been some sort of complication. What if there had not been just one demon. But, a horde of demons? He could be harmed, injured somewhere. How would I know where to even begin to look? I began pacing from the window to the other side of the room. I held my hands against my chest in prayer. This was too much for me, I needed to calm down and collect my thoughts. But, I cant. I cant be calm. Not right now. Not when I have no idea where my husband is.
There was a knock on the door. "My Lady, May I enter?"
"Yes." My voice came out in a whisper.
A bird demon now emerged, holding a small cup on a saucer. "My Lady, please have some tea to calm your nerves."
"I cant." I said as I turned on my heel, pacing back to the window.
"My Lady he will come. I'm sure its nothing."
"It has been hours! He is still not back. Something IS wrong.." My heart felt as if a boa had constricted around it, crushing it slow and deliberately. I let myself sink to my knees. This whole situation was too much for me. I should have fought harder. I should have told him to stay. That I needed him with me. The Last thing I heard was glass breaking before everything went still. It was as if I had gone deaf. I couldn't even hear the sounds of my own sobbing. I closed my eyes against it all. Against the world. I didn't want to think anymore. It hurt too much; Every thought always went back to him..I don't know how long I sat on the floor. I just knew that I was alone. And my dear, Sessomaru..? Where was he? Where was my beloved?..All was lost.
"Rin."
He's gone..He won't come back..
"Stop you are hurting her!"
Someone was calling out to me in my despair. Calling to me..My beloved?
"Rin, Stop!"
I opened my eyes to see him, shaking my shoulders- Sesshomaru.
The boa that was once constricted against my heart slithered away. "You came back!" I threw my arms around his shoulders. He had come back to me..
Sesshomaru pushed me aback. "Are you injured?"
"No. I was just upset. I thought something had happened to you." I said, desperately trying to calm my nerves.
Sesshomaru stood up and walked behind me. "Jaken!"
I turned as best as I could to see the bird demon lat on the floor. Her skin that was once a cream color, now a lavender color. And, her limbs rigid. My eyes widened at the scene before me.
Jaken walked into the room. "Yes, My Lord?"
"Take her to the healers immediately. And, check on all staff and Personal attendants ." His voice was even as he spoke.
"What am I checking for, My Lord?" Jaken squawked as he began to take her body from the room.
"Injuries from Demonic Miasma."
(Flash Back over)
Its a clandestine pool of melancholy, that lingers at the thought; I had hurt her. Without even meaning to, I had seriously harmed someone. So lost in baseless fear, my emotions became overrun and my control deteriorated before my very eyes. Its moments like that that, when I cannot help but feel the cold weight of inferiority. If I wasn't so weak, then all could have been avoided. But, alas, such things cannot be changed. I cannot cast away my humanity, more than I can feign anger. It's just not possible. But, where there is weakness, I will find strength. I will not let myself succumb to the throws of human emotion, pregnant or not. I will not embarrass Sesshomaru, with uncontrollable tantrums. I may be human, weak, and born from peasants but before all, I am his. And he, mine. I have the utmost trust in him, and that will never wane for as long as there is air in my lungs.
"I'm fine. Now, that I know the full extent of what can occur, I know that I need to tread softly. Last night, was awful. I do not wish to experience something of that nature ever again."
A clawed hand grasped my chin, tipping it upwards. "Do not fret, beloved. It was an accident."
I gave a small smile.
Sesshomaru turned his face to the left.
A breeze whipped past us.
There was an uncanny, and yet foul smell that arouse from the distance. A dulling throb in the back of my head, as a memory tries to push forward. My hands grip onto the sides of Sesshomaru's armor. I can feel a slight unease in the pit of my stomach, as the flood gates pull back. And, I start to remember. It's slow and steady. I was running as fast as I could. as fast as my small legs could carry me. And, I was scared..there was something after me..I was being chased..
I looked to the forest outskirts. As I inhaled, it all became clear. "Wolves.."
Sesshomaru looked down at me. "You can smell that?" The curiosity apparent his voice.
I nodded. I could feel myself begin to panic.
His hands came to the sides of my face. "Rin, stay calm. Return to the castle. I will dispatch of them."
I shook my head at his words.
"Rin, stay. Calm. And, do as I say."
I took a breath and turned, in the opposite direction. The castle was only about fifty yards away. I trotted as best I could. In my current state, I couldn't run. I could go a little faster than a walk, but that was all.
A wolfs cry was what caused me to look. I turned to see Sesshomaru, with eight dead wolves around his feet. I stopped my trek, and tried to catch my breath. As I was about to say a compliment of praise, Sesshomaru began running running at full speed towards me. That's when I heard a snarl from behind me. As I turned, I lost my footing and fell onto my side.
Fear engulfed me.
I put my hand in front of me in defense.
I screamed as loud as I could.
The boa made its way back to my heart, and everything went silent.
(Sesshomaru's POV)
Grabbing the hilt of bakasaiga, I prepared for the final attack. As I raised my sword, the sound of Rin's scream invaded my ears. In all of my years, I have never heard such an unnerving sound. It was a high pitched scream like no other. Her abilities were clearly taking over. As she feared that she might be hurt, the child's demonic power was now taking over. The wolf hovered in mid air for a second by some unseen imaginary force. Its body was twisted, aback, and the sound of broken ribs were heard. In the next second it was flung twenty feet away, hitting the nearest tree.
It died on impact.
My sword dropped to the ground. Rin was still screaming at the top of her lungs, unbeknownst to her she had already dispatched of her attacker. The noise began to take an unusual effect on my hearing.
"Rin!"
She was oblivious to everything. She didn't even know that me, her beloved was here. She was so lost in fear that she shut everybody out. Including me..
I put my hands to my ears. It felt as if I was being pushed further and further into my demonic state. Trying to control myself was beginning to get harder as the seconds passed. A substance trickled down my left wrist. I looked to my hand to see a small line of blood. She was beginning to cause me internal pain. I closed my eyes in self restraint. I could feel my blood begin to boil.
"RIN, STOP!"
As quickly as it started, it stopped.
