Good Morning Everyone! :)
Just wanted to say thank you... While I've been away, this story has crossed the 100,000 view mark! And I'm dreadfully close to 1,000 reviews...
I need to think of something to bless you guys with for all the love. But for right now, please enjoy Chapter 34 :)
Chapter 34: After All He Had Done
"He brought a human girl here…," the guard at the base of the stairs murmured to another. "...Sesshoumaru-sama."
"I can still smell her scent lingering," said the other, who glanced up the stairs—his form growing rigid in the process.
"How unbecoming, wouldn't you agree? Since InuTaisho-sama was ultimately brought down by—"
"Brought down by what?" the young dog lord asked, acid dripping from his lips as he descended the staircase with incredible stealth.
His castle guard turned on a dime and wore faces most becoming of lowly servants. They feared him, as they should. Cocking his head to the side, Sesshoumaru feigned ignorance.
"N-nothing, my lord," the dog demon guard stuttered while falling to his knees. "P-please forgive me. I-I shouldn't have—"
The guard flailed in the air as Sesshoumaru took him by the throat—suspending him in the air with a clawed hand. His blazing eyes narrowed and his grip curled, poison-tipped nails seeping through his vassal's neck. With the utter flick of the dog lord's wrist, the guard smashed through the wall and into the adjacent room.
Sesshoumaru shifted his eyes to the other guard. "Clean it up."
"Y-yes, my lord," the guard gave the lowest bow of his life as Sesshoumaru continued onward to attend the affairs of the state—the provincial mayors and noblemen sent to settle matters that had stacked up since the unfortunate and premature death of InuTaisho-sama.
Sesshoumaru's face hardened that much more at the thought of his father. He was anything but, and yet he was expected to be him. Waves of turmoil, of anger and mourning afflicted his thoughts, and he yearned to slaughter something; to take in order to cover up the loss. But nothing good can come of that, and he was reminded of her. Rin was still asleep. Her body had lain limp in his arms when he had brought her here; she was so still he would have thought her dead if it weren't for her permeating scent and the lucid sound of her heartbeat.
He was able to beat Naraku by getting to her, able to foil a plot that would no doubt have ended in the destruction of his reputation… but doing so unfolded a new set of problems. How was he to explain the presence of a mortal in his personal wing and under his jurisdiction, when his father had just succumbed to the lowest of fates because of one?
His reputation could not be saved either way.
His eyebrows furrowed.
No, as long as she was alive, his reputation was at stake. But, he could not kill her... because—
"Ah, Lord Sesshoumaru."
The young dog demon was ripped from his thoughts by a probing Totosai. "My condolences, dear boy. How is the ruling of the entire West coming along?"
Sesshoumaru ignored him expertly, closing his eyes and striding past the old blacksmith.
"Well, I doubt according to plan... not with a very-much-alive human in your castle." Totosai pointed upward, as if Rin was hanging right there from the ceiling.
"Watch yourself," Sesshoumaru growled. "Just because my father revered your skill enough to tolerate your tongue, doesn't mean that I will."
"Fair enough." Totosai shrugged. "But my guess is whatever you're up to, you're not doing it very well."
"And what do you suppose I am doing?" Sesshoumaru's voice raked its way out of his lungs in the form of a snarl.
"Well, if I would guess…," the old man put a single clawed finger on the top of his head in thought. "...trying to figure out exactly what you want."
Sesshoumaru sneered before turning on his heel and making way into the business hall. "A human could never be among those things."
"...I don't recall suggesting that one was?"
The dog lord hesitated for but a fraction of a moment before continuing on into the hall.
"If I may be so bold, my lord…," an official with a long train of a beard spoke up, grappling the attention of the room.
Sesshoumaru closed his eyes. "What?"
"With all due respect, and with no implication at all… the territories are concerned that there is treason lurking among your advisors, as the rumors of honorable Inu—"
"They are correct. Treason is the cause of my father's death." Sesshoumaru stoically responded, "Even as we speak, I have soldiers and Inuyasha's guard in pursuit."
The older demon official half-nodded, somewhat unconvinced. The others in the room seemed uneasy as well; questioning.
"I would do it myself. Alas, duty binds me here, before the council for nothing more than silencing their fears." Sesshoumaru's molten eyes scavenged the room, lingering on each and every face. "If I were hunting my father's killer at this moment rather than discussing the trade and morale of the provinces, undoubtedly… you would be questioning my priorities."
A handful of the officials looked between each other, beneath shaded expressions and dipped heads of waxed, silver top-knots. The bearded official bowed to his elbows. "Honorable Sesshoumaru-sama, you must know that we are all pleased by your ascension to the throne..."
Sesshoumaru scoffed and stood, glaring at the demon. He replied, "Then maybe I should consider you a suspect to my father's murder?"
The demon jerked upright, shocked. "M-my lord—"
Sesshoumaru continued. "For, even under these circumstances no one except the enemies of the late InuTaisho-sama should be pleased by my unceremonial ascension. Not even I."
The silence around the room near collapsed his estate. Only the sound of the official's beard scraping against his haori as his head shook emphatically could be heard.
Sesshoumaru headed for the door. "We have been here since sunrise. I expect us to reconvene tomorrow with matters of the citizens and nothing else. Anything as brazen as this fool's insinuations is a complete waste of my time. The castle guard will see you to the guest houses."
The walk back to his quarters was one riddled by heavy thought. How dare they question his ability to lead the West. To follow in his father's footsteps. He had known this world long enough. The world of politics and war. Of negotiation and power. If anything, his rule would bring about prosperity and expansion; a new age in his provinces for demons and humans alike.
His eyes widened as he caught the light scent of Rin. A waft of lavender, honey, and hints of blood. He frowned at the distinction of the last.
Atop the stairs, his gaze lingered down the right passageway, toward the room where he had decided to leave her. Two guards stood outside of it dutifully, both stationed from his previous orders. They bowed to their waists at his presence.
A strong urge pulled him in the direction of that room, but he denied it, turning instead to the left and coming face to face with Totosai.
Bug-eyed and lips pursed, the old coot lifted both hands. "Boo!"
Sesshoumaru's expression refused any hint of surprise. "What are you doing?"
"Making sure you don't need help getting to the right room, my lord." He snickered, pointing to Rin's room.
"Totosai… surely, you yearn for death."
"Maybe." Totosai weighed on the thought. "But surely, you didn't bring that human here to leave her in a room."
Sesshoumaru's lips curved downward, slightly.
Totosai shrugged, turning to descend the stairs. "Oooor maybe ya did… either way, be warned. If you leave her in there, rotting from her own thoughts, she won't get any better."
"What?"
"Humans don't work like demons, my lord. Recovery largely depends on will. If she lacks the will to live, she will die… whether in your care or not."
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened as he thought back to her frail frame, her carelessness in addressing him the night before.
"I assume you did something to her that you regret… but I will leave that assumption there," the blacksmith retorted, putting his hands behind his head.
Sesshoumaru growled his displeasure at the insinuation, despite the truth revealing itself in his silence.
"Only you can right those wrongs, Sesshoumaru. No one else. Nothing else. Humans are strange and emotional creatures." Totosai gave his last word as he strutted bow-legged down the steps. "I just hope she isn't past the point of no return… for your sake."
For his sake?
As the hall quieted, Sesshoumaru averted his eyes back to the end of the right passageway; back to her room. The cool moonlight trickling in from the windows collided with the flickering warmth from the candles, sending his shadows each and every direction as he strode down the hall.
"You're dismissed," he ordered of the guards, who swiftly took their exit.
He would check on her, he decided.
And that was it.
Having dismissed the only attendants to the room, Sesshoumaru slid open the wooden door himself, expecting to see Rin exactly where she was—on the bed.
She was still in the same yukata from the night before. It was wrinkled and worn, clearly not suitable for a Geisha in her own house, let alone on the street. It had no likeness to the one he had repaid her with months ago.
He thought about that night as he stalked to the end of her bed. How she had found him in the darkness, post-battle with Naraku—the wretch who killed his father. Despite his threats and his utter lack of need, she decided to help him anyway. As another wash of her scent flooded his nostrils, he remembered...
That was the first evening he noticed how enticing her scent was.
Guilt threatened his strength as he roved over her curled form with his gaze. Bruises were evident beneath the skin of her wrists and collarbones, her breathing was ragged, and the color of her face, depleted. He had done this to her.
She stirred for a moment, yet his eyes remained fixed on her face. Opening her eyes, Rin focused on the world outside, where the moon's reflective light greeted her cheekbones lightly. Sesshoumaru blinked as she sat up, still pathetically unaware of his presence. It took longer than he anticipated, but she finally found him in the darkness on her own. The scent of fear suddenly filled the air, drowning out every hint of milky lavender from before.
Sesshoumaru dropped his chin slightly. "Still so riddled with fear…," he muttered, almost accusingly.
Rin gripped the sheets between her thin fingers as Sesshoumaru watched her tremble.
"Sesshoumaru-sama…" His name trickled from her lips with a tender vulnerability. As if she were daring to cross a terrible line. "...why did you bring me here?"
Why, indeed?
Already, he had planned to have Kodachi under the protection of the Western guard for the sake of protecting Rin from Naraku's plan. However, upon seeing her so emaciated—rotting away before his very own eyes within the sanctity of her Okiya—he knew that an established guard around Kodachi could not be enough.
"I clearly cannot trust humans to keep you alive," he replied, trying to lighten his tone.
He watched as her eyes trailed the white sheets before her. Hesitantly, she asked, "Does my life suddenly mean something to you, now?"
He exhaled a chuckle. She's asking this, of all things? After every act of mercy?
Remembering his trespasses against her, Sesshoumaru thought better of his intended silence.
"You are still alive despite your insubordination... despite my promises to tear you apart once my father was out of the way...," he whispered, catching her gaze in such a way so that she knew. "...Is that not answer enough?"
He could not sacrifice his pride. If this were not enough for her, so be it. If him bringing her into luxury and catering to her needs were not enough, so be it. He could not be anything else for her.
How could he, when his demon nature rejected the possibility of what she was to him? He had hurt her for no other reason but to unleash his anger on the human race—on human women—for the role they played in his father's death.
Even though Rin, herself, had nothing to do with it.
Her face softened and her eyes remained fixed. Dull, yet alert. Her knuckles softened their grip and her shoulders laxed. Although, Sesshoumaru could still feel the animosity emanating from her. Animosity, and yet...
Just as her feelings were for demons, so was his for humans. Embittered. Fueled by past resentment and misunderstanding.
And yet, she was different.
Even though he hated her kind, and her, his…
...he didn't hate her.
And by the pleading look in her eyes, after all he had done, perhaps...
...she didn't hate him, either.
You guys have really made my time back so so worth it! I'm loving and responding to all the reviews. Thanks so much for your kind words. A couple of you are shaking your fingers at me, and I don't blame you... I'm going to try and make the updates more regular. I'm pretty bad at sticking to schedules, but I'm going to try one out.
Love all of you so much! Thanks for continuing to make my experience on fanfic so great! ~ Xera
