Calm Before the Storm

A loud thunder clap was heard from the sky. Bright blue lightning shortly followed. The rain crashed down as the deep cuts all over Rene's body sharpened. They began to widen with her movement, and also from the miasma. Blood trickled down her wounds as the rain washed them away. Each step she took endangered her life.

"Almost . . . there," she panted. But how could she tell? Her vision had begun to blur a couple of yards back, and it wasn't from all the rain droplets dripping into her eyes. She began to stagger and lose her balance. She was like a drunkard who had just emerged from a bar: stubborn, determined, and stupid. Her head was spinning, yet she continued to strive. "Almost . . . there." And she was. She was almost to safety. Almost.

Rene quickly became dizzy. Her eyes went in and out. And suddenly, everything stopped functioning. She stopped in the middle of her stride and just stood. She was only thirty feet from her safety. From the cave. Her body was failing her.

No, she thought as she stared at the cave, hoping it would magically walk over to her. What else could she do when her body wasn't obeying her? What could she do when she couldn't push forward? Why now when I'm so close? She tried to move. She tried! But in a failed attempt.

As another bolt of lightning chained around the sky, her body went limp. Rene's wounded arms dropped down to her sides. Her injured legs gave in and collapsed on her, causing her to plummet onto the muddy earth.

It hurts, she thought as the rain pelted the side of her face. Her eyes slowly began to lag.

Sesshomaru . . .

Her lids locked shut.

Sesshomaru . . .

Her mouth opened ajar as she inhaled some of the miasma's fumes.

I'm . . . sorry.

Nothing but darkness came after that.

(Back to the present)

"NO!" screamed Kagome as she swooped the orb into her hands. Surprised expressions flew across the room. She began to frantically and wildly shake it. "Get up, Rene! Get up! You can't die! YOU CAN'T."

"You can't really handle tragedies can you, Kagome?" asked InuYasha. The worked up schoolgirl shot him a death glare, which cause him to cringe.

Kagome swung her head to face Totosai. "TOTOSAI!"

The old forger wiggled his pinky in his ear. "Do you have to yell?"

She ignored him. "Be honest with me! Did Rene die?! Is that why I never saw her with Sesshomaru since the time she ran after him?!" Totosai merely shrugged.

"Well there's nothin' we can really do about it now," said InuYasha. "I mean, this thing only shows the past, right? So if she's dead, she's dead."

"InuYasha!"

"It only took you to this point to realize what the orb can do huh?" asked the forger.

"Shut up, old man."

Totosai slowly removed the orb from the worked up girl's hands. He then set it back on the ground as she composed herself. "Now, Kagome," he began. "I can't control what has already happened. And screaming into the orb won't get her off the ground. So just sit there and watch the story."

"B-But . . ." Kagome's head lowered. She sighed as she nodded. Naraku, she thought. Why do you do this? Why take what someone loves most?

(Back to the past)

Squish. Squish. Squish.

Rene's eyes slit open to the sound of slushy footsteps. How long had she been lying there?

Squish. Squish. Squish.

The sound was inching closer and closer, but she couldn't move to see who the footsteps belonged to. She couldn't even blink . . . nor could she let out a whisper.

Squish. Squish. Squish. Squash.

Now a figure was standing in Rene's blurred view. She could tell that the figure was tall and hovering over her because the rain ceased to pelt her paling face. If only she could turn her head to see the figure's unknown face. All she could see were greyish-black shoes and thick, blown out, white kimono pants.

Suddenly, Rene began to feel something nudge her. Whatever that was, it gingerly rolled her onto her back. However, that didn't help her see the figures face because more rain dropped and crashed into her eyes. It was as though she was trying to look through a window that was being sprayed by a hose.

Shortly after being turned on her back, she could feel something scoop her up. Her body immediately folded as she began to be lifted off the red, muddy, wet ground. Her back was resting on an arm while a hand gripped shortly below her bottom. As her eyes closed from the sting of pain, the figure who had Rene in his arms advanced towards the cave.

Who's . . . who's doing this? she thought. Who's carrying me? Rene's head tilted, resting on the figure's chest. So . . . so warm. It wasn't long before the sound of pelting rain was an echo. Though she was drenched with water, she could tell she was out of the rain and in a depressing, cold room. The sound of postponed water droplets echoed. Am I in the cave?

Rene's body bobbed as the figure advanced further down into the cave. Every footstep was scratched and echoed across the dark, rocky floor. When she began to shiver, the figure stopped and stared down at her pale face. She could feel his gaze burning into her flesh.

"Rene," said a familiar, calm, warming voice. She slightly opened her eyes with recognition. A small, weak grin formed on her face. Suddenly, her body loosened. Rene pressed her cold body against his armor. "Are you awake?" She weakly nodded. "Are you cold?"

She responded with a weak, "Um hm."

Sesshomaru nodded, though Rene couldn't see it. He began to scan the depressing cave, searching for an area to place the injured girl.

There!

On the left side of the cave was a flat surfaced boulder, slanted enough to sit on. Sesshomaru advanced towards the boulder. Each rock and pebble in his path was either ignored, stepped on, or kicked out of the way. As he began to lower Rene over the large rock, trying to set her down on it, she gripped his kimono with the little strength she had left. Gripping and clutched as though she was holding on for dear life.

Don't let me go, she whimpered in her head. Don't let me go!

The dog demon tried to set her down again, only to have the same results: a tight grip on his kimono sleeve. Rene was not going to budge, yet he wouldn't force her to.

"You don't want to be put down?" he asked. Rene weakly shook her head.

Sesshomaru stood up straight, wondering what to do. There was no other area to set her down to rest at. Even if he did see one, he probably wouldn't have been able to release himself of her literal death grip. So he did the first thing that came to his mind. The dog demon turned his back to the boulder, slowly sat down on it, and gently placed Rene on his lap. This surprised both Rene and himself.

The injured girl lightly blushed. With her grip still intact, she began, "Uh . . . Sesshomaru?" Suddenly, a warm and fuzzy feeling slid across her right shoulder and slithered onto her lap. A familiar feeling, yet she did not know what it was. So, she slightly tilted her head.

Sesshomaru's fur pelt, she thought.

Immediately, a memory triggered to the time when she and Sesshomaru were under the stars. The time she sat nude under a tree so her soaked clothes from the river could dry. The time Sesshomaru asked her what song she was humming. The time she dozed off with a smile. And the time she felt something warm and fuzzy comfort her through the night yet disappear in the morning. All of those times caused Rene to realize that that feeling was the same one she had felt that moment at that time. The feeling from Sesshomaru's fur pelt. The warm feeling she never recognized until now.

A weak smile slithered its way across Rene's face. Her grip began to loosen as she began to welcome the pelt that was cuddled and wrapped around her injured body. Blood staining its white, furry surface, but Sesshomaru didn't care. It made her ease into relaxation, but not too relaxed for she did not desire a sudden jolt of pain to attack her already aching body. The feeling allowed her to completely release Sesshomaru's kimono and slide her hand down onto her lap, yet her right hand still remained on his plated chest.

"Thank you," she suddenly and lightly said as her head relaxed on the dog demon's chest. Sesshomaru's canine ears picked up the words, yet he chose not to respond. Rene understood.

Time slowly passed. No words were spoken. No sound – except for the crashing rain - was heard. Rene closed her eyes. She was about to fall asleep from exhaustion. As her rugged breathing morphed into a light breath, Sesshomaru's gaze moved to the deep cuts that were inflicted on her. The dark miasma seeping from each slowly moved to the roof of the cave. It bothered the dog demon little; however, it was slowly taking Rene's very being . . . and Sesshomaru knew that. But what was he to do?

His eyes locked onto Rene's pale, slightly open lips. Lips that used to be so pink and beautiful. So warm and caring. And he stared at them, wondering. What would it feel like if he . . . ?

"Rene?" he interrupted his own unfathomable thought.

She responded with a low, "Hm?"

"Where is Yoy?"

This question took her by surprise. What was she to tell him? She didn't want to lie to her Lord. "Gone." That's all she said . . . and Sesshomaru took it, though he knew there was more to it.

"Are you alright?"

Rene let out a low, cracking chuckle. "Do I not look it?" she asked in a weak yet playful tone. Sesshomaru said nothing. "What happened . . . to Naraku?" Still nothing. She sighed. "Do I . . . bother you, Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Wha . . ." The question surprised him. Why would she ask such a thing? He had found her, hadn't he? He was with her, wasn't he?

"Am I a nuisance? A chain that weighs you down? A human who merely gets in your-"

"Quiet!" Suddenly, the dog demon quickly interrupted her with a calm yet authoritative tone. "You shouldn't think such things. The thoughts don't suit you."

The words could have sent tears in her eyes. That's how hard they hit. She knew those words were not a part of her character because of her positivity, but she wanted to know. "Sesshomaru, I . . . I don't understand. You say things like that, then you turn around and . . . why? Why do you allow a human to travel with you? Why do you. . . why do you choose to protect me, a mere mortal? I feel like . . . like I'm nothing but a burden on your shoulders."

It was silent for a moment. It was that question again: Why did Sesshomaru protect a human? Why did he protect that human? He knew why . . . he just didn't want to believe it.

"Rene," he began. She said nothing. "Do you remember when I first raised my claws against you?" Though the memory wasn't pleasant, she nodded. "Why did you try to help me, a demon, that day? Even after I wounded your arm . . . I believed you to be foolish. A human trying to tend to a demon."

Rene thought. Hadn't he already asked her that question? "That's how I was," she said. "It's who I am. I couldn't just sit around and see someone hurt. Human or demon. Besides . . ." Rene tilted her head back so she could gaze into Sesshomaru's golden eyes. The fur pelt rubbed against her cheek. "You looked hurt . . . angry . . . saddened . . . and I wanted to help you. I wanted to comfort you." She paused.

"And now I'm returning the favor."

Her eyes widened. Was that his answer? Was that why Sesshomaru allowed the girl to travel by his side? "Sesshomaru . . . I . . ." The dog demon didn't let her finish her sentence. Instead, he stood up with Rene in his arm, turned towards the boulder, and gently sat her down on it while wrapping the fur pelt back around his shoulder. "Sesshomaru?"

"Stay here," he suddenly commanded. Sesshomaru quickly turned around and began to walk towards the world outside of the cave.

Rene reached her stinging arm and hand out. Was he leaving her again? "Wait! Where are you going?!"

"Isn't it obvious?" said the dog demon as he continued to walk. "I'm going to find Naraku."

She slowly lowered her arm. Naraku, she thought. The one that started all of this. The one that embedded a jewel in my shoulder. Rene tried to sit up straight, placing both hands in her lap. She stared at the dog demon's back, trying to figure him out. Was he truly after Naraku because his pride was insulted, or because of . . . "Lord Sesshomaru!" she called out. The dog demon stopped his stride and looked over his shoulder, waiting to hear what she had to say. "Good luck, my Lord."

For a while, Sesshomaru couldn't help but stare into Rene's mysterious, caring eyes. Why did her "Good luck" fill him with so much power and encouragement? Still . . . the dog demon swerved around without a word and headed out of the cave, leaving Rene alone once again.

. . .

Time again slowly passed as the rain began to disperse. Obedient Rene sat alone in the dark, depressing cave, leaning against its whispering walls. Though she was still, her wounds continued to widen and throb. The miasma was nearly taking over her whole body, and the jewel shard was as black as ever.

Rene closed her eyes. Lord Sesshomaru, she thought. Don't do anything reckless. Come back to me before my life truly fades.

Do you wish to see him before you pass on?

Her eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets when she recognized that evil, malicious voice. Naraku.

He merely chuckled his usual low laugh. I see you're still alive. Persistent much? Too bad Yoy couldn't end your life. Instead, she just up and disappeared, leaving you for dead.

What do you want? she growled.

Do you have to sound so unhappy, Rene? I just want to grant you your wish and let you see Sesshomaru one last time.

Lies!

He chuckled. Haha! I also desire that shard in your shoulder. The shard that holds your life.

She nearly forgot. That jewel was helping to keep her alive. She couldn't let the half demon have it now. I'll never let you have this shard.

Who ever said you had a choice.

After those words, the shard in Rene's shoulder pulsed just like the time Yoy was controlling her.

Impossible, she thought. Now her body was pulsing. No. No!

Naraku laughed. You think Yoy was the only one who was able to control you? I never needed her to control your being. I merely used her to darken the shard in your shoulder so I could bring you back to me along with the blacked shard. When your jewel was pure, I couldn't even touch it because it could possibly purify me. Now, it's different.

Rene's body began to rise onto its feet. It was a movement she did not command. Stop, she yelled to herself. Stop!

It's useless to try and stop it, Rene, said Naraku. Yoy wasn't completely useless, and I applaud her for that. If she hadn't shoved those balls of miasma into your body, I wouldn't be able to control you. He busted into a harsh laugh. His annoying cry of victory and satisfaction rang in the girl's brain. Naraku was truly despicable. Now, move. Come to me. Her foot began to twitch. It was itching to move, but Rene tried to use every last ounce of strength in her body to resist. You are not one to listen, are you? Go ahead. Keep control of your mind, but your body belongs to me. Hence, no matter how much you resist, you cannot break from my grasp in your weakened state. Besides, if you keep putting so much strain on your body, you won't last much longer.

He was right. Blood oozed form the deep cuts on Rene's body. She was losing so much blood. So much that she began to feel faint. What was she going to do? What was she to do? She wanted to live. She wanted to see Sesshomaru's rare caring eyes again. She wanted to be with him again. So what was she to do . . . but . . . ?

Will I see him there?

Hm? said Naraku. Pardon?

Will I be able to see him there, Naraku?!

For a moment it was silent. And for a moment, Naraku wondered about the foolish girl who was barely standing. Even after all the hell she'd been through, only one goal was on her mind . . . the goal to see Sesshomaru once again.

You will, he responded.

Rene merely nodded. She already knew Naraku had something tragic up his sleeves. Why else would he allow a mere mortal to see her beloved? If that wasn't the case, then why didn't he see her in person when she was unguarded and unprotected?

Rene held back her tears, knowing what was to come, as she willingly took a painful step forward.