I do not own any of the characters from Inuyasha. Sorry it has taken so long for me to update but these things must be handled delicately.
Chapter 21
Enlightenment
Early the next morning Rin came to Sesshomaru's room carrying a tray with a pot of tea and a cup.
"My Lord," she said, Catherine has sent you tea.
"Come in," he said.
Rin slid the screen to find Sesshomaru propped up with pillows and Jaken just cleaning up the bath things. He passed her carrying a large bowl of water, cloths, and towels. Rin came in and set the tray down.
"Catherine says you must drink the entire pot while it is hot," she said as she poured the first cup. "It is a special herbal blend to help you finish healing."
"Why didn't Catherine bring it?"
"I don't know my Lord."
Sesshomaru sipped his tea quietly.
"Shall I stay and keep you company?"
"Yes Rin, please," Sesshomaru put down his empty tea cup and Rin refilled it. "Tell me, do you remember when we first met?"
"Oh yes my Lord, I will never forget that!"
"Why did you come to me? Why did you put yourself in peril to bring me food? You knew I was a Demon. Why were you not frightened, why didn't you run away?"
"I was frightened when my parents were killed, humans did that. I was frightened when men came to beat me. The Villagers told me I had bad luck. They said that all there was for me was to be an outcast. They said the only food I could have was the garbage and scraps they threw me. They threw very little my way. I think they hoped I would die. What could a Demon do to me that was worse than that? I know what it is like to be hurt and alone and hungry. I would not wish that on any creature. When I saw you I knew you were badly hurt. I did not want you to be alone."
"I do not deserve your concern," said Sesshomaru.
"Oh no my Lord, you have done so much for me! When the village men beat me for stealing food, you put your hand on my shoulder and said "who has done this to you?" I could not answer then but I could see the compassion in your eyes. I knew right then that you would never hurt me. I knew that you would protect me. When the wolves came I remember pain and darkness. Suddenly there was light and no more pain and there was you standing by me. You have always protected me. You have always come back for me. You have never lied to me." Rin poured another cup of the tea. "There, that is the last of it. You must finish it quickly before it gets cold".
Sesshomaru drank down the last of the tea and gave the cup to Rin. He began to try to get up. All his life Sesshomaru had enjoyed a demon's almost limitless strength and agility. Now his body was stiff and sore, his legs were weak.
"Help me get up Rin," he said.
"No my Lord, Catherine said you must rest at least another week!"
"I must go and see Catherine," said Sesshomaru rising unsteadily.
"I will bring her to you!" said Rin.
"No, I must go to her!"
Rin realized that if Sesshomaru wanted to get up she would not be able to stop him. She reached out her hand to him. Sesshomaru took it to steady himself. Slowly they made their way down the hall and over to where Catherine's rooms were.
Catherine knelt at her desk going over some papers. She heard the screen to her room slide open.
"Rin, is that you?" no she thought, it was a much larger presence. She turned to see Sesshomaru standing unsteadily at the door clutching his side with his right hand. He was wearing a plain white silk robe belted at the hip his fur over his shoulder.
"I'm sorry Catherine, I couldn't stop him," said Rin from behind Sesshomaru.
"That's alright Rin," said Catherine walking over to them, "Where I come from we would say a man like the Lord had a thick skull!"
Sesshomaru looked at her frowning.
"That means," she said tapping his forehead, "Nothing gets through. You have a head like a rock my Lord." She sighed and shook her head, "Rin go get Jaken." She turned to Sesshomaru, "You need to rest at least one more week! Do you want to undo all the work we have done to get you well?"
Catherine helped Sesshomaru into the room and helped him sit down.
"You are angry," he said. "You ran from my room last night, you did not come this morning. Because of me you are not with your father."
"I'm not angry; I would have come later to change your dressing. You didn't know Llyr would save me, how could you?"
"If you want to leave, I know Llyr would come to get you, you have only to will it." He said.
"Do you want me to go?" asked Catherine.
Suddenly a blood curdling scream came from the balcony outside Catherine's room. Catherine jumped up and ran to the outside door to see the servant girl Azuma cringing against the wall trembling with fear. On the balcony railing stood a bright red diminutive dragon with jewel like green eyes. Sesshomaru appeared behind her at the door.
"It is a messenger." He said.
"Ah, Lord Sesshomaru," it said. "I have a message for you from Mazinga ab Tooqu, Za of Chulaghet, Seventh Degree Order of Vasset."It cleared its throat officiously, "Lord Sesshomaru Inu no Teicho, Ruler of the Western Lands, you have insulted me by failing to honor our meeting at Soltice therefore, your ass is mine!"
Jaken and Rin appeared just as a loud pounding shook the house.
"Sesshomaru!" come out you coward and face me!" The pounding continued "Sesshomaru! Come to the door before I break it down!"
All eyes were on Sesshomaru, "It's Mazinga, I arranged to meet him at solstice, we were going to join with his cousins to battle in the lands far south. You were coming too Jaken."
"Really? Oh thank you my Lord!" said Jaken smiling. "If you had only told me I could have alerted Mazinga when you were injured."
"I didn't know I was going to be called to fight Sea Serpents did I!" said Sesshomaru, "I had better take care of this, Mazinga can be very touchy."
"No, said Catherine, "You need to get back to bed! I'll handle this."
"Am I now to be ordered around by a woman?"
"This woman; yes! I put you back together; I can take you apart again! Besides, if Mazinga is insulted don't you think he may be more forgiving if he finds you in your sick bed swathed in bandages? Jaken, take your master back to bed."
Jaken took Sesshomaru's arm, "Come master." He said gently pleading.
Sesshomaru looked back at Catherine, "Be careful, you may need your wand."
Catherine straightened her kimono, slipped her wand from its pocket, took a deep breath and headed for the door. Two terrified male servants ran up to her.
"Don't go my Lady!" there are three Demons."
"Only three?" she smiled, "That's not too bad."
She approached the door. It was surprising the door was still in one piece. She waited for a pause in the pounding to quickly open the door.
"My Lords," she said affecting her most charming smile, "Sesshomaru bids you welcome to our humble home and apologizes for not greeting you himself."
"Well, where is he!" snarled Mazinga.
"Alas, our Lord was seriously injured in battle about a month ago. He has lain unconscious all this time. Happily, he regained consciousness last night and is able to receive you.
"See, I told you!" said the large blue Demon.
"Alright!" said Mazinga, "take us to him!"
Catherine led the way. She could hear the floors squeak under Mazinga's weight and hoped the floors could hold his weight. They got to Sesshomaru's room to find Sesshomaru tucked in his sleep mat propped up with pillows. His fur was on the pillows so he lay on it. He was wearing the white silk robe which was open enough to show the bandages around his torso. Catherine had to admit, he did look pretty pathetic. She was surprised at the effect on Mazinga who went immediately from highly insulted and angry to concerned.
"Sesshomaru! What is so strong it could leave you in such condition? Were you able to kill it?"
"I was called to battle two Sea Serpents before I was able to inform Jaken of our plans. I apologize for the insult. Please stay awhile so I may at least show you some hospitality. Oh yes, I killed them."
"You killed Shee and Twa!" said the large blue Demon with Mazinga. "We heard they had been killed but that the Demon who killed them was bitten in two and swept out to sea."
The tall greenish Demon with the group bent down to inspect Sesshomaru's bandages, "You have been ministered to by an Adept! Wherever did you find one?"
"Yes," said Sesshomaru, "Again I am rude, may I present Lady Catherine Faraday Adept of the Far Western Lands, Great Grand Daughter of Llyr God of the Western Sea.
Catherine, these are my comrades, Mazinga, Vrashtashi and Cheu." Each bowed in turn.
"Let me get refreshments for your guests," said Catherine.
"Yes, thank you," said Sesshomaru "Jaken, get Jar for Mazinga, you know where it is."
Jaken scampered off after Catherine as the three friends sat around Sesshomaru.
"Your Demoness of the far west is very beautiful," said Vrashtashi "Why don't you marry her? Why should you remain a bachelor?"
"I'm not sure she'll have me." Replied Sesshomaru.
They all laughed, "Now," said Mazinga, "Tell us of your battle."
The afternoon passed pleasantly if boisterously. Catherine heard something she had never heard before, Sesshomaru's laughter.
"Laughter is good for healing," she thought.
By evening all had left in a very good mood.