Chapter 14: Mirrored Thoughts
The minutes trickled by within the concrete cage Sesshomaru found himself confined to. Turning into hours as the demon grew tired of gazing out at the limited scenery through the broken glass panes beside him and closed his eyes. Aimlessly waiting for his wounds to mend, while the events that had transpired haunted his mind. Fueling the disorientation that had settled deep within him the moment he had been enveloped by the Wind Scar.
Because, although Sesshomaru was counting down the minutes until he could finally leave his wretched confides with his own power, a sobering thought made the demon realize… he didn't know what to do after that.
Causing the demon to experience, for the first time, a heavy wave of uncertainty.
Which was unsettling, because Sesshomaru had always been one to meticulously plan what his next steps would be. Orchestrating every action within his control to achieve what he wanted to attain.
"Such as, reclaiming the Western Lands." The demon thought in distain, as he recalled the instance his father had allowed their territory to slip through his claws. Sealing Sesshomaru's fate, as that moment marked the beginning of his pursuit for the path that should have ended with him conquering what his father had failed to retain, while effectively showcasing that he was ultimately stronger than the Great Dog Demon before him.
Displaying a clear and concise path for him to follow, as logically, in order to achieve that goal Sesshomaru needed to pursue the powers that the Great Dog Demon had used in order to conquer his territory in the first place.
That had been his plan. The path that he was supposed to follow.
Yet… he couldn't even reclaim the Tessaiga. Resulting in the imagined path he had followed his entire life to end there. All because of that half-breed, and the overwhelming defeat that showed him he was never meant to achieve any of things he thought he was designed for. Causing the trail he had been on to crumble apart right beneath his feet as he stared into the darkness ahead of him.
The very fabric of his existence having been torn and dismantled in more ways than his body could ever be broken. Because, he had lost his place in life. His worth. And intimately his purpose.
Leaving only his damaged pride.
Which, in hind sight, showed him that living with those tarnished fragments after realizing that his life amounted to nothing but a reminder of how truly insignificant he was, almost suggested that the ending he had escaped would have been the better alternative.
Yet, as the Wind Scar was about to take him, his inner demon refused to let go. Holding him back from his descent into the oblivion as it clung to the fibers of his ruined body because-
… Because.
…
…
Why couldn't he remember…?
The memories evading him as a sharp pain cascaded through his head each time he pushed to remember.
"Damn it." Sesshomaru cursed to himself. His mind recoiling from the pain as a different memory appeared to quell the almost burning sensation that had been left behind.
A memory that he had no control over, that just wouldn't go away.
Because, although he had told himself he didn't care… his subconscious seemed to think otherwise. As the memory of that human girl's smile melted away the darkness he was trapped in. Shedding a calming veil that healed the burning ache he had experienced as she was once again brought to the forefront of his thoughts.
The human that had saved him without knowing who, or what he was. Simply telling him that she had done all of that because… in her eyes, he had needed her help.
And yet, he casted her away in a fit of anger to shield his already broken pride.
Resulting in him overlooking a number of details since the first moments of their encounter.
Though, now that he was reminded of it, Sesshomaru almost froze as he realized what he had missed.
"How was she able to see me back there?" The demon thought as his mind blanked. That couldn't be possible. That human girl shouldn't have been capable of seeing him in that alley.
Because, although there were numerous cases of humans having run-ins with certain sub tier demons unable to hide their presence, or the few that broke the unwritten rules that had been established throughout the changing centuries. Demons of his stature ensured that they went unseen by concealing their presence, as stronger demons that could manipulate their demonic energy had enough power to shift forms or cloak themselves if they were to cross paths with a human. Even though, most modern humans these days knew nothing of the beings born to the feudal era. Subconsciously disregarding anything they couldn't understand by nature. To the point where they went about their entire lives never seeing anything from the hidden realms unless they were trained to, or possessed some kind of sacred power.
Which, the girl surly did not have.
An air of amusement seeping into his stoic features as he was reminded of what the human had thought he was. Only further pointed out by the soft scent she carried, indicating she didn't have the lineage required to develop any kind of resistance towards his kind.
A scent that was remarkably close to the unpolished smell of sweet lingering honey, his confirmed as he unconsciously sniffed out her nectar notes, before he realised what he had been doing. The demon stopping abruptly to replace his short lived amusement with a distant expression as he looked to where the girl had slept last night. The faint remains of her presence pulling him back from all the running thoughts he had gone through, as one certainty was uncovered in all of his sporadic musing.
The human girl had left an impression on him.
Imprinting herself in his mind before he had the chance to realize it.
Hot gushing water washed off the last remnants of blood as the final trickling beads rolled down the sun kissed skin of Rin's back, easing her sore muscles.
A shudder coursed through the girl's bare body before Rin could step out of the small shower stall and wrap herself in one of the few towels she owned. A content puff of air leaving her lungs as she stretched and looked into the mirror above the sink to wipe off the steam that had accumulated. Leaving behind a streaking mess as the fogged mirror showed her an image she hadn't seen in ages.
So many things looked the same. Such as her umber chocolate hair, the baby face that those dark strands framed, and even the light freckles that danced along her cheekbones. All her features reflecting back just as they had every other day. But, there was one thing that had changed. And that was Rin's eyes. Because now, they glistened with a spark that she hadn't seen in years.
"Thanks to him." Rin realized, as she brusher her fingers against the image of her reflected in the mirror before she finished drying up, pulled a comb through her unruly hair and changed into blissfully dry clothes.
It was almost funny coming back to her little apartment after what had happened. Stepping back into her true reality, as she crossed the threshold that brought her right into the small living area adjoined to the kitchen nook before it led to her bed and bath rooms. Making the mythical events that had transpired almost seem like a beautiful dream she had just woken up from.
But, thankfully, by now she knew she wasn't dreaming. A faint smile reaching her lips as Rin thought of the way he had looked right at her with eyes that seemed to be able to see into the depths of her soul. That small gesture having meant so much to her as most people deliberately did whatever they could to ignore her presence.
Which is how Rin knew he had no idea who she was.
But, even though she should have been hurt that the kindness he showed her was doomed to be a fleeting moment, Rin couldn't help but feel the bittersweet pangs of happiness warm her heart.
Since, this was the happiest she had felt… in a really long time.
Thus, wanting to savour the feelings that he had given her, Rin walked the few steps it took to enter her kitchen area without letting the ugly overbearing weight of her fate get to her as she started wrapping up the lunchbox she had made for the angel. Thinking instead of what she had put inside the colourful container.
She didn't have that many ingredients, but she was confident that all of the dishes she was able to make were healthy and cooked to perfection. So, pulling out the tote bag she had gotten from a supermarket offer, Rin started packing it away. Setting the lunchbox beside a travel mug full of hot tea, more gauze, and a bottle of antiseptic, before making a beeline to her bedroom. Walking out, not a minute later with one of her most sentimental possessions to put on top of her little bundle of supplies.
Rin didn't have much she could offer, because if her bank account could afford it she would have added a change of clothes for the angel to along with everything else, but what she could offer was a one of her favourite books that had belonged to her mother, so that the man had something to pass the time.
Though, thinking about how ragged his kimono had been, Rin couldn't help but look to the small calendar she kept on the fridge. A circled date indicating that she was supposed to get paid tomorrow. Because, even though she had been fired from the small convenience store, Rin had still worked all her shifts up to that point. Meaning, if her calculations were right, she had to have one more paycheck coming!
"Perfect! If I go pick it up tomorrow, and cut back on a couple of things then I should be able make it work!" Rin thought to herself giddily, as she thought up a quick budget chart in her head that would allow her to spare enough money for the purchase she had in mind.
But, as things were now, the least she could do in the meantime was bring him a towel so he could dry his hair, since Rin decided that the being really didn't need a cold to further compromise his condition.
And with that thought, Rin grabbed one of her last dry towels, taking the chance to check her appearance in the mirror one last time before grabbing her tote bag, putting on her soaked sneakers, and running out the door.
Heading down the now familiar streets riddled with puddles that reflected the midafternoon light. Reminding Rin of a certain man's topaz eyes, as her mind was filled with thoughts of the angel she was running to.
Her heart fluttering.