Disclaimer: I do not own the show InuYasha or any of the characters…
"Talking"
'Thinking'
Chapter 12: Farewell to a Friend
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Sesshoumaru stood on the veranda overlooking a fantastic part of the forest and the sunrise. The eastern sky was painted with brilliant hues of red and pink as the sun stretched up over the grim looking world, bringing welcomed light and warmth to the sleeping inhabitants.
The sky was a pale blue, more to the west a richer azure. There was a bitter chill and the grass below was crunchy with frost. It was a morning uninterrupted by life, save the conscious presence of a silver haired demon. He was leaned over on the railing, arms folded and resting on the classy metal that framed the outcrop of the castle.
His tawny eyes were unfocused and cast off absentmindedly. His mind replayed the happenings of last night, over and over and over and over, oh! The torture his mind was presenting him with! It wouldn't let him rest, or else he would be bombarded with dreams of her. Innocent dreams of her smile. Of her laugh. Of her. Just her, sitting there and smiling at him.
'What was it, really?' He asked himself. 'Lust, or true emotion? It was love, that's what. But how was I so ignorant? I can't let it go any further.' His mind conversed with itself. 'I don't give a damn about what others would think. If they argue that I made a mistake, I'll take their heads.' He sighed inaudibly and shook his head. 'It's not anyone else I worry about. It's me.' It stung his pride, heart, and mind greatly to admit this to just himself. 'If I end up taking her as my mate…she'll age and pass on as I live on. I fear I'll be dreadfully alone for years after her.'
He gritted his teeth and inhaled deeply. He felt stupid. On the outside though, he was the same, unfeeling, apathetic demon lord as always.
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Rin had noticed Sesshoumaru was missing from breakfast. It was one of the few things she noticed. The other thing was that everyone in the castle was oddly tense and apprehensive.
Today was a glorious day. It was delightfully cold and moist outside, and the skies were now a vibrant sapphire, void of any clouds. There was no wind nor breeze, yet the air wasn't oppressive and still.
She was meandering about, her cherished pet Moro keeping pace beside her. One hand rested on his neck, occasionally petting him. She yawned softly, then looked questioningly down at Moro who had tensed and halted.
He was looking off to the right into a dense patch of trees, ears pointed towards whatever resided there. She walked around the dog demon and towards the shadows. Instantly, a brusque man leapt out, surprising her. She fell back with a cry of shock and the man drew his sword. It was then she realized he was clad in a warrior's clothes, and his appearance was slightly foreign to the western lands.
Moro stood defensively over her, barking and snarling madly. "Shut up, inu baka!" he sneered in an haughty manner and plunged his weapon down at Rin. Moro sprung forward and his chest met the blade, spewing blood everywhere. He ignored his fatal wound and seized the man's head wholly in his jaws, the man screaming hysterically. In a rush of adrenaline, The demon's jaws snapped shut, crushing his skull and silencing him. The two fighters collapsed, cold, lifeless.
Rin gaped in revulsion at the scene. Moro's blood was spattered all over her skin, hair, and clothes. Scrambling away towards the castle, many servants emerged, gasping and calling out to others.
Rin made her way directly towards the baths, panting loudly and mourning the loss of her pet. Sesshoumaru sensed, and heard, a collection emotions quickly come, then pass. It was Rin: he recognized the scent. He curiously hurried into the hallway just in time to see her disappear beyond the door to the bathhouse. He went after her, slightly worried.
She stumbled down into a bath, still clothed. She was completely hysterical and rubbing her hands, arms, sleeves, face, trying to rid herself of blood. She didn't even notice when someone was sternly calling her.
"Rin!" He said loudly and firmly, standing at the edge of the bath. Sesshoumaru inhaled sharply through his nose, catching the bloody scent of the pet he had gotten her along with the scent of blood from a human. He shot a dismissing glare at the servants closing the door and they all scattered, one shutting the door.
Sesshoumaru looked back down at Rin who was pulling at her hair, dunking underwater. 'Damn it, she's going to hurt herself.' He thought, growling quietly. He stripped his armor and threw it down, trudging into the water. Rin surfaced, gasping dramatically.
He immediately wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. Right away her body went limp and she was left sobbing into his chest. "He…H-he gave his life for me." she shuddered through tears "Moro killed a warrior to protect me." she said, and Sesshoumaru rubbed her back comfortingly.
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There was a heavy silence over the castle. It seemed no one had spoken a word that day. There was a bitter wind, the sky grey and sullen. Sesshoumaru, Rin, and about 50 other servants were in the front of the castle, all darkly clothed and quiet.
Rin, dressed in a heavy black kimono held a silver urn, holding the lid on tightly. Sesshoumaru stood beside her for comfort, the many servants standing behind them.
She lifted the lid and tipped the urn slightly, a dark grey powder floating out of it. It was carried into the sky on the wind, until the last dispersed into the air.
Tears silently coursed down her cheeks, her face blank. Tiny white dots drifted down from the heavens, blanketing the grass like a shield.