It's 1:05 AM, and I've caught my second wind. Dunno how long it'll last but we'll see.
I own the random villagers, Hoshi, and Taro. Everybody else is property of Takahashi-sensei.
Lurfz and enjoy, there's more sadness in this chapter so be warned.
By the time sunrise came, Sesshomaru had already risen and was walking slowly down the path to the village. The road ran for several miles between the mansion's high perch and Rin's village, zigzagging along the narrow switchbacks that crawled down the cliff face, cutting through the forest that pressed itself against the craggy shore, and across the flooded rice fields that some of the villagers operated.
Sesshomaru quickly noticed, as he was passing through the fields, that something was not right. The farmers should have been working their fields already, but there was not a soul to be seen. Before too long, he heard the subtle din of discussion coming from the crowd that had gathered main square of the village. The Lord's keen ears caught snatches of the conversations.
"He should be commin' out soon to make the announcement."
"And now he claims it's all the girl's fault, the poor thing."
"That lady was a blessing to the entire village, she was."
"Aye, but her bringin'-up was mighty strange."
"'Tis a terrible shame to lose the likes o' her."
Sesshomaru passed by indifferently, striding purposefully toward Taro's residence. Several yards down the street from his destination, the Dog Lord's keen ears caught raised voices and sobbing screams. He sped up to a run and rounded the corner into the courtyard just in time to see Taro's upraised fist swing down, catching Hoshi in the jaw and sending her lurching backwards to land in a crying heap. Sprinting across the yard, Sesshomaru came up behind Hoshi's father and twisted the man's arm up behind his back.
The Dog Lord moved his face, which had begun to take on canine proportions, to within an inch of Taro's ear. Eyes flashing red, he growled, a jaw full of malicious fangs snapping, an image formidable and menacing.
"One such as you does not deserve to live, but I shall have it be known that I am merciful. The girl is now under my protection. Now, you will take me to the Lady Rin."
"I am afraid that is impossible, Milord," Hoshi's voice whimpered as she examined the damage dealt to her jaw. "Grandmother—" She choked back a sob. "Grandmother passed last night." There was one single still moment when all rage faded from Sesshomaru's eyes. But it ended as abruptly as it had begun when the Lord suddenly wrenched Taro's arm up behind the smaller man's back again harder.
"Do you think that gives you the right to strike her like that?" He barked loudly in the man's ear. Silence rang through the courtyard. "Speak!"
"Her job was to keep an eye on my mother last night," Taro began quickly. "If something were to go wrong, she was to summon the village priestess, who possesses the most medicinal knowledge of anyone hereabout. But she did not do any such thing and, as such, deserves punishment."
Loudly growling in Taro's ear, Sesshomaru dropped the man's arm and marched into the house to Rin's chambers. He spotted her frail, shrouded body on the mattress where she had sat the night before, with rapt attention to the tragic chronicle of his life. He drew the Tenseiga and held it before him over Rin's body. In his mind, he pleaded with the blade, Please; work again for me. But the weapon would not pulse. His mother had been right when she had last seen him: Tenseiga could not work twice on any one mortal. The Dog Lord reluctantly sheathed his sword and resigned himself to the plain, horrible truth. Hoisting Rin's almost stiff body into his arms, he left Taro's home for the last time.
"Come, Hoshi-chan," he called back as he turned the corner onto the street. Hoshi stood for several seconds in stunned silence.
"If you leave me, girl," Taro called from where he massaged his wrenched shoulder. "If you leave me, there's no coming back. Are you really going to trust that demon," he spat the word with appalling disdain, "with your well-being?"
Plucking up her courage, Hoshi replied, "If he was good enough for Grandmother, then he's good enough for me." Though it hurt her beaten jaw, she smiled broadly and ran off after the Dog Lord, leaving her father alone in the dusty courtyard before his house.
She ran until she finally caught up with Sesshomaru just before the path opened onto the square. The villagers frantically made a path for the bristling demon stalking silently in their direction. He marched through the crowds with Hoshi at his heels. In silence, the pair walked along the road leading to the mansion.
The sun was high overhead when they arrived at the mansion gates. Hoshi was awed by the enormity of the place. From the main house, Jaken darted at a waddling run to where the Lord and the girl waited. As soon as he saw Hoshi, Jaken slumped.
"Please tell me, Milord, have we taken in another one?"
"Jaken, this is Hoshi, Rin's granddaughter. Take her into the house. See that she is properly fed and her wounds are taken care of. She will be staying in the mansion for quite some time. I must prepare myself for the rituals."
"Yes, Milord. Might I inquire as to which rituals?"
"Funerary rituals. Now leave me." Jaken and Hoshi headed off into the mansion, leaving Sesshomaru alone in the gardens. Shortly, he followed them, carrying Rin's body to his chambers. The Lord spent the next several hours meditating alone while servants prepared Rin's body for a burial befitting a Lady of the Western Lands.
I loved writing Jaken at the end of this chapter. I just love how pathetic the poor toad looks in my mind when I see him slump at the sight of Hoshi.
You're almost there. Two chapters left!