Author's Note:
Ok, so y'all please don't hate for this chapter. Rin will be going through the wringer during this and possibly the next 2 chapters as well.
Please also be advised I am issuing a TRIGGER warning for this chapter. If you are sensitive to non-consent, please be warned. I do try to handle the situation of what is happening as delicate as possible. When the scene happens, the font will be bolded so if you wish to skip over that part you can.
Chapter 8
Between the Darkness and the Light
The stale air barely moved as the light breeze flowed in from the small, barred window. The small cold room was only lit by the reflection of the moon peeking through the bars. The cold floor providing no warmth as the small figure sat huddled against the far corner of the room trying to gather warmth.
The figure heard footsteps coming from the long hall outside their door and started trembling.
"Please…no…..not tonight…" Was the small whimper that escaped their lips as the large heavy door swung open.
The small figured flattened themselves against the wall, seeking to make themselve invisible but knowing it was futile. They squeezed their eyes shut praying for any kind of miracle that he would be in a good mood tonight.
"Tsk tsk….why do you cower from me?" The large imposing figure asked once they fully stepped inside and shut the door behind them.
The large figure crouched low next to the shaking figure; a hand reached out brushing along the cold cheek. The large figure merely smirked when they saw the other flinch at their touch and whimper.
"That's no way to welcome your master now, is it?"
Nothing was heard other than the shallow breathing from the shaking figure.
The large imposing figure's hand shot out, roughly grabbing the small figure by their arm, yanking them to their feet.
"I require your special skills miko."
The large figure then held out their hand opening their palm to reveal several strands of long dark hair.
The miko asked in a shaky voice and slowly raising her head to look into a pair of intense red eyes, "Wh….what do you want?"
"I need a physical form to pull the princess into the void."
"What you ask for…."
"Yes?" The red-eye man asked, painfully squeezing the miko's arm.
The miko whimper, "It will take me some time…"
"How much time?" The figure asked still painfully squeezing her arm.
Tears sprung to her eyes before whimpering out, "At least two days, maybe three."
The red-eye man slammed the miko into the wall, growling.
"It's a complicated spell! I need time, that's all! I can do it, I swear!" The miko cried out as pain shot down her abused body.
The large figure leaned into the miko's neck before licking a line from her jaw to her ear and finally stated, "You will have your time."
The miko was shaking as the red-eye man eased away and let go of her arm and slowly cupped her cheek, caressing it, "Kanna will be in soon, tell her what you need, and she will bring it for you."
The miko swallowed the lump in her throat and in a quiet voice, "C….Can I see her please?"
The red-eye man still caressing her cheek, smiled eerily at the miko, "Why should I let you see her?"
"Because I have done everything you asked…I haven't tried to run away or anything…it's been over a year…..please…even if just for a moment…."
The red-eye man's hand traveled from her cheek to her throat, gripping her painfully, and leaned forward into her ear, "Once you have done what I've asked, you can see her."
The miko felt her windpipe being crushed but did not fight back. She could endure this for as long as she needed to…..she had to…..for her…..
The hand suddenly released her, and the large figure stepped away towards the large heavy door.
The door opened and before walking out, turned, and said, "Tsubaki, you know what will happen if you fail don't you?"
Tsubaki looking towards the floor, answered, "Yes Naraku."
Naraku smirked and the heavy door was slammed shut.
The miko crumpled to the ground sobbing.
~oOo~
Rin woke with a start, shooting straight up in her bed. Catching her breath, Rin looked towards her window and could see the sun peeking through the clouds. Looking down, Rin could see that her nightgown had ridden up and was now bunched around her waist, her lower body exposed.
Recalling her dream from last night, Rin pushed off her bed and stripped out of the dress, pushing it past her hips. The dress slipped to the floor and Rin could only stare at it.
Last night felt so real, she could remember Sesshomaru's hands on her bare skin. She could remember how his lips felt against her lips, how his hands glided across her sensitive skin to between her legs.
Rin clenched her thighs together feeling the heat start to form between her legs again. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to stop her mind from replaying what happened. She felt tears stinging her eyes and a soft cry escaped her lips.
She wasn't even married yet and she had feelings for another. She didn't even know who this Sesshomaru was, all she knew was that he had to be related to Inu No Tashio and that she only ever heard his voice a few times.
Shame and disappointment filled the princess's already heavy heart that she allowed this Sesshomaru to touch her in such an intimate way.
Sinking to the floor, Rin quietly cried feeling completely broken.
~oOo~
Rin watched as the rest of the trunks were loaded onto the last carriage. She turned to her young twin brothers and took a deep breath. The young princess knelt in front of Oda and Toda with tears in her eyes and hugged them both tight.
"Now you promise me that you will listen to mother and father while I'm gone?" Rin choked out.
"Yes Rin," Both boys answered.
"And that you will listen to your tutors?" Rin whispered, dusting off Oda's kimono.
"Yes Rin," Both boys answered again.
Rin hugged her brothers once more and pulled back. She gave them her best smile and stood up.
"Rin?" Toda asked.
"Yes?"
"Your color is blue," Toda said in confusion.
Rin thought for a moment, "It's probably because I'm sad to be leaving my brothers."
"Oh…ok!" The young boy answered with a smile.
Rin had started to turn away when a question struck her mind, turning back and kneeling once more, she asked, "Have either of you ever seen anyone who didn't have a color?"
Rin watched as both boys suddenly grew quiet.
"You have, haven't you?" Rin whispered.
Both boys nodded.
"When?"
"Last night."
Rin paled at her brothers' admission.
"Do you remember who?" Rin asked.
"Um….." Oda answered, looking at Toda.
"Please try to remember. Who was it?" Rin pressed.
"Hmm…it was a man. His hair dark like papa and he had funny lips." Toda answered.
"What do you mean funny?" Rin asked confused.
"Like mama, his lips were red." Oda chipped in.
'Oh god…..' Rin thought, taking a shaky breath.
'What was his name?' Rin asked herself.
Rin thoughts were interrupted when Oda placed his small hand upon her cheek, drawing her attention back to her brothers.
"Do not be sad sister, we will meet again. You only need to call upon us and we will be there for you." Oda stated, his eyes changing from hazel to red.
"What?..." Rin whispered.
Both her brothers then laughed, and Oda's eyes changed back to their normal hazel. The young twins hugged their sister and then ran off to their nanny.
"Arina?" Rin heard her father softly call out.
Rin watched as her brothers merely ran around chasing each other, not understanding what just happened.
Rin stood up and turned to face her parents, she didn't want to see them but….she knew she needed to say goodbye to them.
Rin turned in time to see a large army coming up on the hill towards their castle. Knowing that it was Inu No Tashio's army, Rin actually felt happiness. Finally, her kingdom had a chance in this never-ever war.
The princess stood in line with the king and queen as the large army crept closer.
A large inu youkai with silver hair in a high ponytail and blue eyes reached their position and bowed low, "King Ishida, I am general Masanori. I am here to serve under the direct supervision of our great ruler Inu No Tashio at his request. Our army is ready to protect your kingdom and will follow any of your commands."
King Ishida smiled, nodding his head at the large army, "Yes, several of the guards that patrol the city sent word that your army was spotted the past few days. The queen and I are beyond grateful for your great ruler's generosity and your men will be treated with high honor while in our lands."
King Ishida then turned towards Rin, "Arina, I believe your escort is here as well. General Masanori, the princess will be well protected in route to your ship, correct?"
"Of course, King Ishida. Our most highly skilled men will be escorting her. On the ship itself is our highly trained unit of guards that will be watching over her."
"Excellent, if you will allow us a moment to say goodbye."
General Masanori bowed and stepped away.
Rin turned towards her parents, keeping her face blank.
The king and queen both stepped towards their daughter and seeing her neutral expression, exchanged looks.
The queen was first to speak, "Rin, we….we love you and….I will miss you." The queen stopped her voice breaking.
The king stepped forward taking his daughter's face into his hands, "Arina, everything we did was to protect you. We're sorry if you're still upset with us. We both love you very much and we hope you are happy in your new home."
Rin stood looking at her parents. Knowing very well that this was probably going to be the last time she ever saw them, Rin finally opened up.
"You say you love me but you're both still lying to me…you're not telling me something."
The queen gasped; the king's hands slipped from his daughter's face.
"I lied that day to Maiko; I didn't have any dream about something calling me. I know that you threatened Maiko, I know that you had her spying on me. She told me everything. Maiko is loyal to me now. I'm glad she's coming with me; she will be free of you both." Rin said feeling her anger starting to boil.
"Rin, please-" Queen Kaori started but was cut off by Rin.
"No, I've had enough of you two! I love you but….you've been lying to me my whole life….I know…there isn't something right about me….I know that there is something… dark… inside of me…..and you both know what it is don't you?"
The king and queen both stood silent.
Rin let out a bitter laugh, "Even now…. you still won't tell me the truth."
Ever since the day of cornering Maiko in her room, Rin knew something wasn't right. She had no memory of what happened once she started talking to her servant. All she could remember was being so angry, going to Maiko's room and then everything faded to black.
It was like her mind went completely blank and it was only Maiko's pleaded cries that woke her up. Rin had shaken her head like she was coming out of a deep sleep and found her beloved servant laying on the floor in complete terror. Rin was completely heartbroken when she tried to reach out to her and Maiko had recoiled in fear at her touch.
Rin didn't know what she did, but she knew deep down it was something terrible, something terrifying for her own servant to be that fearful of her.
Rin knew she wasn't normal, and the unknown terror of what is inside of her was slowly eating away at her each day.
The king reached forward but Rin abrupted turned from him, with tears in her eyes "General Masanori, I'm ready." The young princess called out, her voice choking at the end of her statement.
"I pray I never see either of you again in my life," Rin said in a quiet voice with her back to them before walking to the carriage and disappearing inside.
The king and queen both stood in shock as their daughter words. Maiko looked towards them, sadly shaking her head. The servant stepped towards her former king and queen and softly said, "I'll watch over her."
Maiko then turned towards her parents, giving them each a hug, and disappeared into the carriage as well. Maiko tapped on the roof of the carriage, signaling they were ready, and a moment later she felt them moving. Putting one of her arms around the crying princess, she sat in silence watching the green hillside pass by.
"I shouldn't have said that." Rin sniffled after quite some time in the carriage.
"You spoke the truth," Maiko answered.
"Did you eat anything this morning?" The servant asked turning to Rin.
"No, I wasn't hungry."
"Princess, you need to eat. You're losing weight, you're already so tiny, you can't afford to lose any more." Maiko stated, looking towards Rin in concern.
"I know." Rin sighed out.
After calming down from her breakdown this morning, Rin had dressed and watched the sunrise from the peeking clouds from her balcony. She had gone down to breakfast but once again, poked at her food. She had spent the rest of her morning watching her brothers play, enjoying what time she had left with them.
The young princess was unsure about her feeling towards this Sesshomaru. She has only seen him once, but she was drawn to him. She was also curious as to why he called her his mate.
She had opened her mouth to ask what he meant but somehow, he put her to sleep.
Rin knew it was hopeless for her to have feelings for another. Within a week she would be in her new home and would be marrying her future husband. Rin reasoned with herself that the next time she saw Sesshomaru, she would tell him she couldn't do this anymore. Whatever was happening, whatever was pulling her to the God Tree needed to stop. She couldn't start off her marriage by already cheating.
This union was for her kingdom, hopefully, over time, she could grow to love Inuyasha. If anything, once they had children, she would be able to keep herself occupied with raising them.
'Children….' Rin thought to herself. Rin then felt her face become hot.
She knew what they would need to do in order to have children. Thinking about that only brought up Sesshomaru again.
She could remember how his hand moved between her legs…how his finger moved inside her and his other hand rubbing a spot at the top of her sex. Rin shifted uncomfortably in her seat, trying to relieve the ache that was starting.
"Are you ok, princess?" Rin heard Maiko asked.
"Yes..I'm just thinking about what a long journey we have ahead of us." Rin sighed out.
"Yes, hopefully, the week will go by quickly, and we will be in the western lands sooner than we think." The servant stated with a smile.
Rin could only nod thinking to herself, 'Stop thinking about Sesshomaru' but in her heart of hearts knew it wouldn't be that simple.
~oOo~
"These are your quarters, princess; we know that they are probably not as elegant as you are used to but this is all we have available." The general stated.
Rin looked around and nodded. It did not compare in the slightest to her bedroom at the castle, but it was cozy and intimate for her. It's not like this was going to be her home for the rest of her life.
"It's perfect general. Once again, thank you for allowing me safe passage into your lands. My servant Maiko will have her own quarters as well?" Rin asked.
The general nodded, "Yes, her quarters are right next to yours's. If you will follow me."
The general continued giving Rin and Maiko a tour of the large atakebune they would be traveling on for the next week.
Rin was stunned once they had reached the port to find the largest ship she had ever seen. The general explained it was an atakebune, one of the first to be built. The atakebune had three levels down below and large canons facing out. The captain reassured her that they would be fine traveling with having another three atakebune following close behind.
Finishing with their tour, Rin stood on the bow and asked to address the crew.
The general gathered all his men to stand at attention.
Rin cleared her throat, "I want to thank you all for allowing me safe passage to the western lands. I pray that the union between my lands and your lands will benefit us both greatly. Once again, thank you all."
Rin finished her small speech with a bow and looked up to the men bowing to her as well.
"We are ready whenever you are princess, " The general stated.
Rin looking towards Maiko and answered, "Let us be off then, general."
~oOo~
Rin felt her stomach churn again, Maiko sat next to her fanning her.
"Only four more days princess and we will be at our new home. You can make it." Maiko stated wiping the sweat from Rin's brow.
After traveling for one day, Rin realized that traveling by sea did not agree with her stomach. She hadn't been able to keep anything down since they set off. Whenever she tried to eat, the motion of the waves caused her food to come right back up.
Rin turned to joke with her servant when her stomach told her otherwise, she suddenly turned and threw up into the bucket that was positioned next to her bed. With nothing else in her stomach, Rin had nothing to throw up.
At this point, all she was doing was dry heaving.
Once she felt in control again, Rin leaned her head back against the wood panel behind her and sighed.
Maiko handed her a glass of water, "Please drink, you need to. You're throwing up so much your body is losing hydration."
Rin nodded and drank what she could, praying it would stay down.
"Four more days right Maiko?" Rin weakly asked her trusted friend.
"Yes princess, it will be like nothing."
Rin closed her eyes and tucked her knees to her chest, "Maiko, tell me about your childhood."
"Princess, I don't want to bore you with my silly village," Maiko answered and continued to fan Rin.
"Maiko, we have four days left, I'm not doing too well with the motion sickness, and I can barely eat. Please. Please tell me about your childhood. I need to hear something to help me distract myself." Rin asked with puppy dog eyes.
"Oh alright." Maiko laughed.
For the rest of the evening, Maiko told tales from her village life before coming to the castle. She talked about how her mother would sing to her late at night. She talked of how her father would leave for months at a time to procure work and send the money home for them. She talked of the time she developed a crush on a boy from a neighboring village. She also talked about how the boy passed away due to illness leaving Maiko completely devastated.
Then the loyal servant talked about how a few months later, her father sent word that he had found them jobs at the castle he was working at.
Maiko looked down in excitement at reaching that part of the story to see Rin fast asleep. Maiko readjusted the princess and pulled a blanket over her before quietly leaving for the evening.
Knowing that the night was still somewhat young and that her mistress was safe within her room, Maiko decided to go to the upper level and watch the stars come out.
~oOo~
Rin opened her eyes to soft light.
Looking around and shaking her head, Rin looked again and realized it wasn't light. It was mixture of light and dark. The light almost appeared as stars. Everything else was just black.
"This isn't right…" Rin said out loud.
The young princess sat up and saw nothing but soft light and blackness. It was also very cold, she felt goosebumps forming along her entire body. This wasn't the forest of the God Tree. Rin tried to stand but found her legs wouldn't move.
It felt like an invisible force was holding down her legs, Rin tried flexing her legs again, but nothing happened. Her legs felt like dead weight.
Trying to remain calm, Rin took a few deeps breaths.
Suddenly Rin felt something touch her back, quickly turning, she found no one.
"Come on…." Rin said trying to get her legs to work.
"My…my…how pretty you are…." Rin heard a deep voice call out.
Slightly shaking in fear at the voice and because she could not move, Rin called out, "Who are you?"
"Does it matter?"
Rin sat in silence. She didn't know how she would wind up at the God Tree and now to wind up here…..
Rin was a loss.
"Tsk tsk…..nothing to say now, princess?"
Rin wished at that moment that Sesshomaru was here, she knew he would protect her.
Rin was suddenly yanked back against something hard and felt arms wrap around her. Rin started struggling when the figure painfully squeezed her ribcage tight, causing Rin to whimper in pain.
"There there, I won't hurt you. I only wish to look upon what I denied." The figure whispered in her ear.
Rin tried twisting her head around to see who the man was but found she couldn't. He had his large chest pressed tightly to the back of her head keeping her still.
"Where am I?" Rin asked quietly.
"I call it the void. My…..special place to do what I please."
"What do you want from me?"
The silence that followed only amplified the sheer terror that Rin felt building in her stomach.
The next thing Rin knew was that the large figure rolled them over, so he was pressing onto her back, and she was laying on her stomach, completely immobilized.
Rin started panicking and tried bucking the figure off of her.
"My….so eager to…..arouse….me my dear?"
Upon hearing his words, Rin ceased all movements, feeling that she was going to be sick.
Pressing her forehead to the cold ground, Rin whispered out, "Please let me go…."
The figure then eased off her and Rin let out breath only to have her fear sky rock when she was rolled onto her back with her arms pinned over her head. The large figure used his muscular thigh and wedged her legs apart, so he had enough room to lay in the cradle of her thighs.
"Much better." The figure said, leaning into her neck and inhaling.
Rin laid still as stone shaking as the man sniffed at her neck, once he leaned back and loomed over her, Rin finally got a good look at him. Keeping her face blank, trying not to show any fear, Rin lifted her chin in defiance and harden her eyes.
"Let me go now," Rin said, trying to keep her voice from wavering.
The red-eye figure above her merely chuckled and looked amused.
"Now why would I do that?"
"I've been promised to another, once my husband hears of this, you'll be dead," Rin said.
"Oh? You think I would let you go so easily after all the time I've taken to get you here?"
"I've been to another place like this before, I can leave when I want to." Rin fibbed. She had no idea how to get out of this place, but he didn't need to know that.
"Oh? Then by all means, please do."
Rin and the red-eye man just stared at each other.
"Just as I thought…..you don't know….your family has kept you in the dark for so long haven't they?"
The figure then slid one of his hands free from around her wrists down her arm. Rin felt panic start to grow in her chest.
His hand then gently caressed her cheek and then softly outlining her lips. He then trailed his hand down to her neck. His hand lingered there for a moment before sliding lower to her clavicle.
"No, please." Rin gasped out.
Rin tried to buck him off again only to have the red-eye man press more of his weight upon her. When pressing against her, Rin felt something hard poking at her thigh.
Rin gasped realizing what it was.
"Please stop!" Rin cried, trying everything she could to get him off her.
The red-eye man lifted her wrists from the ground and slammed them back down causing Rin to cry out in pain and tears coming to her eyes.
The hand that had been resting over her clavicle then pressed down before sliding lower, just stopping above her breast.
Rin whimpered and cried out in her mind, 'Sesshomaru…someone…please!'
Instead of sliding lower, his hand then slid around to her ribcage gently squeezing.
"Let me go…..please." Rin cried.
"You're so beautiful….you don't even know what you are…."
Rin then felt the red-eye man pressed his arousal closer to her womanhood.
Pure fear overtook the princess, and she did the only thing she could think of.
"SESSHOMARU!"
And then Rin's mind went completely black.
~oOo~
Kimi stood with Sesshomaru as they watched the finishing touches being placed on the princess's new room. Kimi walked around nodding in satisfaction.
"Yes, this will do quite nicely when it comes to her training," Kimi said looking towards Sesshomaru.
Kimi became alarmed when Sesshomaru suddenly gripped his chest and appeared in pain.
"Sesshomaru?" Kimi asked coming over to check on her son.
"What's wrong?"
Sesshomaru shook his head, "I'm not sure Mother…I felt…"
"Yes?" Kimi pressed.
"I… do not know. I think I will retire for the evening Mother." Sesshomaru stated but still had a look of unease on his face.
"Sesshomaru…" Kimi answered wearily.
"Goodnight mother." Sesshomaru said cutting off his mother. He bowed and quickly left.
Once to his chambers, Sesshomaru open the shoji door leading to the garden and looked towards the sky.
Sesshomaru wished at the moment that his mental link to his mate was already formed. In the pit of his stomach, he knew something was wrong with his mate. He and his mother also couldn't link to her right now because of the ocean she was currently traveling in. The water was too much of an interference.
"Rin…" Sesshomaru sighed.
'Four more days, my mate…..'
~oOo~
Naraku was thrown back from the void and hit the wall with a thud.
Tsubaki stood by watching in uncertainly, she looked towards Kagura. Both women made no movements to help their master off the floor.
Naraku picked up himself off the floor and dusted himself off.
Looking towards both women, Naraku could see the fear on Tsubaki's face.
The miko fearfully asked, "D-did it work?"
Naraku side-eyed the miko, he waited a long moment before answering. He needed to keep her afraid of him and if she thought she failed him then she would believe he would finally carry out his threat.
After the long pause, Naraku finally answered, "Yes it worked. Although she is far stronger than I thought possible." Naraku ended with a smile.
Turning to Kagura, Naraku stated, "You may take Tsubaki to the garden. You have one hour with her."
Tsubaki's let out the deep sigh she was holding in, almost sobbing. "Thank you master."
Naraku nodded at both women to leave. Once he heard the door slam shut, he growled.
To say the princess was powerful was an understatement. He didn't expect such immense strength from her considering she didn't even know how to harness her abilities. He was very surprised when she somehow managed to cast him out.
Replaying the memory of what happen…
He pressed his arousal closer between her thighs and was disgusted to hear her scream out the damn youkai's name.
"SESSHOMARU!"
Naraku became enraged and raised his hand his strike her across her face when a mixture of white and purple light suddenly engulfed Rin's body. The colors were so bright, Naraku had to shield his eyes, once the light faded, he found himself staring into the red eyes of the princess.
"There you are." Naraku said with a smirk.
The red-eye princess stared at him, growling, and not speaking.
Gone was the fear on the princess's face, now…..her face was filled with darkness.
Naraku realized this Rin wasn't afraid of him.
Needing to remedy this situation, Naraku leaned in to bring his lips to the princess when the princess's light fully engulfed him, and he was harshly thrown back and out of the void.
"Your mother did well to hide you, dear princess," Naraku stated as he stared up at the night sky.
~oOo~
Maiko was enjoying the quiet night, talking to one of the guards when she heard the blood-curling scream of her princess. Flying faster than Maiko could ever fathom and not understanding how she didn't trip, she raced down to the lower deck with several of the guards close on her heels.
Maiko burst into the princess's room to find her screaming and thrashing on her bed. Maiko quickly ran to her princess and pinned her arms down so she would not hurt herself.
"Princess! Princess!" Maiko repeatedly called but to no avail.
Rin kept screaming and thrashing.
"RIN!"
Maiko turned to one of the guards, "Help me hold her down!"
One of the guards rushed forward and took Maiko's place, Maiko now free crawled up to gently place her hands on Rin's face.
"Arina! You're ok, it's me Maiko. Shhhh….." Maiko stated pressing her forehead to Rin's.
Maiko felt relief when Rin's body sagged, and Rin slowly opened her eyes.
Maiko signaled to the guard to release Rin and the guard stepped away.
Rin burst into tears and rolled to her side, burying her face in her blanket.
Maiko ushered all the guards out of the room, quietly thanking them and letting them know she would care for the princess.
Maiko climbed into the bed with Rin and tried to lay her hand upon her arm but was alarmed when Rin flinched and pulled away from her.
"Shh….Arina, it's me, Maiko…I would never hurt you. Please, what happened."
Maiko sat next to the princess while she waited for any answer that caused her nightmare.
After a while, Maiko heard Rin whisper, "Red-eyes…he wanted to hurt me…he…tried….to…."
Maiko gasped, gently rolled the princess over, and placed Rin's head in her lap, softly stroking her head.
"Shhh…I'm here. You're ok." The servant said.
The servant stayed by her mistress's side the rest of the quiet night as Rin sobbed, sleeping invading her.
~oOo~
Maiko watched as the princess's condition slowly deteriorated over the next two days. The princess refused any food at this point and would not leave her cabin. The princess also did not want to sleep, insisting that the red-eye man would find her again if she slept. Even now as Maiko sat next to the princess, Rin just sat slowly rocking herself, staring straight ahead.
Maiko sadly replayed the conversation she had with the princess the night before….
"Princess, please you need to sleep, you need rest," Maiko begged Rin as she tried to put her to bed.
"No no no no no no…he'll find me again…..I can't….please…Maiko..don't make me sleep." Rin answered fearfully looking around and clutching onto Maiko's arms.
"Princess, I'm here. I'll watch over you. I can always get one of the guards to come to watch over you as well. It's ok, I promise." Maiko pleaded.
"You can't promise that…" Rin quietly whispered.
Maiko stayed by Rin's side the rest of the night as the princess fought off sleep.
Realizing she needed to do something to help the princess, Maiko quietly got up.
"Princess, I'm going to step away only for a few moments. I'll have one of the guards come watch over you. I'll be back very soon."
Rin only continued rocking herself.
Maiko sighed and walked to the door of her cabin. Facing a squadron of guards, Maiko picked out the one guard she had become friends with days leading up to the princess's nightmare.
"Haruto, please stay with the princess. If she becomes upset or anything, please get me immediately. Do not go near her at all. I'm going to speak to the general." Maiko stated with uneasiness.
"Of course, my lady," Haruto answered.
Maiko made her way from the lower deck to the bow and found the general talking to one of the guards.
"General," Maiko stated bowing.
The general dismissed the guard, "My lady, how is the princess? I heard she had a nightmare."
"That's what I've come to talk to you about. Is there any way to get the western lands sooner? The princess needs help, there is nothing else I can do for her. Whatever her nightmare was, it's affected her to the point of not eating or talking. She needs a healer." Maiko said with deep concern.
In all of her time serving the princess, Maiko had never seen Rin in such a state. Even when the princess received news of her brother's passing, she was still coherent.
Whatever her nightmare was….the princess was shutting down completely now.
Maiko knew she needed to see a healer, or maybe even her new family would be able to help her in some way she could not.
"I'll talk to my men and see what they say. We may be able to shave off a day. I cannot guarantee anything though. When traveling by open waters, it's temperamental." The general answered.
"That is all I ask, my lord. Anything that can be done to reach her new home quicker would be greatly appreciated." The servant answered with a bow.
As Maiko made her way back down to the lower deck, she prayed that they would not be too late.
~oOo~
'Don't fall asleep…..don't fall asleep…don't fall asleep….' Rin chanted over and over in her head.
'If I don't fall asleep, he can't hurt me…' Rin reasoned to herself.
Rin rubbed at that phantom pain she felt in her wrists. She recalled how the red-eye man gripped her and slammed her wrists into the ground. Rin whimpered at the memory of it.
After her nightmare, Rin became terrified of sleeping. She didn't know if the red-eye man would appear again. She didn't know how to break free from his void.
Rin was also terrified of herself.
She couldn't remember why the red-eye man let her go.
All she could remember was screaming Sesshomaru's name and her mind went blank.
The last time that happened was when she found herself standing over a crying Maiko…
Did she do something to the red-eye man in the void?...
Why couldn't she remember?
Rin suddenly felt a pain in her stomach and doubled over.
Out of her peripheral vision, she could see the guard step closer.
"No! I'm fine, please leave me alone." Rin cried out, scooting herself closer to the wall and away from the guard.
The guard hesitated and stepped away.
Rin clutched her stomach and pressed her head to her knees, feeling tears roll down her face.
'What is happening to me?'
~oOo~
Author's Note:
Regarding Naraku's attempted rape of Rin, that will be further explained within the next several chapters. There is a reason why he tried to do what he did.
Also, the whole miscommunication of who RIn is marrying will definitely be cleared up with the next chapter release. The next chapter will probably be pretty lengthy as well as I have a lot to cover.
Remember everything that has happened to Rin during her voyage to the western lands, the miscommunication that has happened will lead to an explosive event that the entire Inu family will be witness to.
I will start writing the next chapter this weekend and hopefully will it out by next weekend.
Please please please leave me a review, it lets me know if you guys are still engaged in this story.
Thanks!