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ABC Thought
Main character's profile:
Name: Sogo Shiomi a.k.a Sora
Gender: Female
Age: 17
Weight: 52 k.g
Height: 1.7 meters (5'6")
Bust/waist/hip measurements (for anyone who's curious): 86-60-90
Eyes color: Brown
Hair color: Straight black hair (a bit curly), shoulder length
Skin color: Fair
School uniform: Dark blue coat, white shirt, red ribbon, grey skirt, flat brown shoes and white socks
Species: Ningen(?)
Ability: Regeneration
CHAPTER 6
"No."
Sesshomaru refuses in a heart beat and I just stand there, completely dumbfounded. Wondering whether he's actually bothered about me saying not wanting to stay here last time.
"Stupid girl! Do you think we're here to babysit you?!"
Angered by my insane request, Jaken yells.
"Please, pretty please? Sesshomaru-sama?"
Ignoring Jaken's rampage from below, I show Sesshomaru my most pitiful face. Hoping that he will soften up despite knowing that the successful rate is like one in a million. But it doesn't hurt trying right?
Seeing Seshsomaru isn't fazed even for a little, I promise him to not causing any and once done finding out about my origin, I will be gone out of his sight for good.
"I will disappear! Like a wind without leaving any trace!"
And Rin too, come to Sesshomaru's side to help me add up the effect.
"Please, Sesshomaru-sama, let her come with us."
Watching my drama in amusement, Jaken smirks.
"Heh, morron! There's no way Sesshomaru-sama would let a human like you to-"
But his laughing soon dies down when hearing Sesshomaru's impossible response.
"Do what you want."
In instant Jaken's jaw drop and I jump in joy, giving Rin a high-five. "Yay!"
"B-But why, Sesshomaru-sama?!"
Cannot accept the cruel reality, Jaken follows him from behind and demands his explanation. Whining nonstop and end up receiving a cold glare plus a hit to the head.
"What about your family? Won't they get worried?"
Suddenly remember that my family members may not agree to let me traveling with them. Rin asks.
"It's okay," I smile and pat her head.
*Flash back*
Last night.
The Sogo's mansion
Shiomi's room
I tossed and turned on my bed, recalling to what happened back in the shrine. As Kagome's and Inuyasha's words kept ringing inside my head that I could no longer ignore.
Does it really worth it to take the risk? Will I be able to leave this place, my home, my family?
But I refused to take this chance to go, who knew when the next one would come. For a long time I had always wanted to find out exactly what or who I was. How I got this strange ability and that world under the well could have the answer to all of it.
Beside, it's not like I will be gone forever. Once getting what I'm looking for I will return here and live my normal life again, no big deal.
Still, the biggest problem was how to convince my mom to let me go. She's so well-known for being too over protective, like way before I would even understand what that word even meant.
Crossing over 3 mountains is way easier than asking for her permission. It's going to be so much pain in the butt.
Even so, I felt bad for refusing Kagome earlier. Hopefully she didn't get the wrong idea about me being mad at her or something. (She doesn't realize it's already too late)
And the next morning, I decided to bring up all my courage and discussed about it to my mom and sister...
"No!"
Of course it would be a no.
"Do you even know what you are saying?! Going on a journey?! Where do you intend to go?! Who are you going with?! Will it be dangerous?!"
She begun bombarding me with a bunch of questions.
"Woah there mom, calm down. Let Shiomi explains first, okay?"
Luckily, my sister stepped in right in time to save me.
"W-well, you two have already aware of my strange ability, right? You see, I find out about this faraway land which will help me with the answer. And I want to go there?"
I fidgeted due to their intense staring but still managed to show them my true feelings.
"No, this is too much. I can't let you do that."
However, what I received from mom was a straight refusal.
"I think she isn't wrong, mom."
Surprisingly, Megumi didn't object my crazy idea and left my mom completely in shock. "Not you too, Megumi?!"
"What I mean is that Shiomi is no longer a baby. I believe she has the right to make decisions for her life. Beside, you know her ability is not normal from the beginning. I bet there must be some reasons behind it."
Therefore, my sister explained and patted on my shoulder, "If you want to go, I'll support you."
Then she turned to our mother. "And you should too, mom."
Our mom lookded dejected but somewhat was convinced and just like that, my sister dealt the final blow.
"Can't you see how determine Shiomi is right now? This is the first time she shows that side to us. Are you going to let Shiomi living in regret for not doing this for the rest of her life?"
After a long moment of considering, she finally accepted but requested me bringing some guards a long. And of course, I refused right away and convinced her that I would be just fine by myself. Since I seriously doubt that any of them would be able to go through the well like I did...
For school's matters, we've agreed that I would drop by home as much as I could to attend classes and exams. Also to let them knew that I was still being alive and well.
"But I'm not sure how to tell this to Dad though."
Another problem popped up and luckily, my sister was already there to cover it up for me.
"Just leave it to me. I'm sure Dad will understand. Beside, Have you prepared everything?"
Only expecting for her to ask that, I proudly showed her a huge backpack sitting behind my feet.
"Yup, everything I need is in here!"
Yet she raised an eyebrow after looking at my outfit.
"But seriously though, why a uniform? Sometimes you make me doubt about your sense of fashion, little sister."
"I-It's not like that! It's just that they're not boring and easy to wash!"
Hearing my excuse, Megumi just laughed. "Yes, yes. Sure thing."
"Okay, I think I will get going now."
Therefore I gave my mom one last hug before leaving. While standing beside us, Megumi constantly reminding me to bring back some souvenirs for her.
"Jeeze, sister. You do know that I'm not going on a vacation, right?"
*End flashback*
"So, was there anything happen when I was gone?"
I turn to Rin and the girl pauses awkwardly. Then she looks down to her feet, fidgeting.
"Uhm, there's nothing much. But…Well.."
*Begin another flashback* (I know it's ridiculous but bear with me)
Around a couple of minutes after Shiomi left.
"Onee-chan! Onee-chan!"
Rin rushed to the well's edge to find Shiomi but she's nowhere to be found. "Oh no, she's gone!"
Upset by his action, she turned to Sesshomaru and grabbed his empty Kimono's sleeve. Her voice started to crack as she yanked his clothes.
"How could you do that, Sesshomaru-sama?! I could have make her stay! Rin could have had a sister!"
She cried, blaming him that he had took her friend away.
"Give her back! Give onee-chan back! It's all your fault!"
It's not until Sesshomaru glared back in anger that she flinched in terror, her whining also stopped and things turned quiet again. Though that peaceful moment didn't last long when Rin rolled on the ground, throwing tantrum here and there.
"Wahhhh!"
"Will ya quit it already?! Or I'm gonna grill you up with Nintoujou!"
Irritated by Rin's spoiled attitude, Jaken yelled for her to shut up. Even threatening to to hit her, yet end up making it worse as Rin cried even louder.
Night comes...
"Would you stop yelping already?! This is getting ridiculous!"
Could not longer stand her crying, Jaken groaned out loud.
For some reasons she refused to eat and drink for the whole day yet still had the strength to cry and whine. It's already a miracle enough to be able to drag her along with them, since they couldn't let her stay behind at the damn well to wait for that damned human girl to return all by herself.
"But Rin misses Sora onee-chan. Can we go to the well again? Maybe she's still there."
Rin asked for that same old requests they had been hearing for thousands of times, just by counting only today.
"How many times do i have to tell you that we're not going back there nor getting this cursed brat back?! She's long gone, you hear?!"
Finally snapped, Jaken jumped and pointed the two-headed staff at her face, yelling with all of his content
"Now stop your whining before I end up feeding you to Ah-Un! You-Bwegh!"
Soon he got interrupted by a foot stepping on his head.
"That girl... What is her name?"
Sesshomaru appeared standing before them and asked, much to their shock.
"Huh? I-it's Sora onee-chan. But why do you ask for her name, Sesshomaru-sama?"
Rin answered, somewhat was confused about his intention. Then without further ado, Sesshomaru walked off.
"Sesshomaru-sama! Where are you going?!"
Seeing him leaving, Jaken sat up from the dirt and rushed after him. However, Sesshomaru ordered him to stay, much to his displeasure.
"Cheh! Now I'm stuck with her all alone!"
Jaken stayed behind to guard Rin anyways.
Later on Sesshomaru returned to their resting spot, yet he didn't tell them a thing and in the end no one knew where he had gone off to. After two days later in the morning, he led Rin and Jaken to the Bone-Eaters well, telling them that the human girl was on her way here.
It was only in that moment, Jaken figured out his lord's plan on that destined night.
*End flashback*
So that was how he got my name, and here I thought that he actually cared to remember.
After hearing the story, I'm kind of disappointed. Looks like Sesshomaru doesn't open up to me as much as I think he would be. Although now I know the fact that he adores Rin more than anything.
"How long are you intend to follow us?!"
Once we get on on Ah-Un back and fly away, Jaken begins to question me.
"I've told you before, until I find out where I can gain information about my origins."
I reply and he raises his eyebrow at me. "And where is that suppose to be?!"
Without having any proper answer for it, my confidence start to fade as I fidget. "Uhm… I don't know…?"
"What! You don't know your destination yet begging to come with Sesshomaru-sama?! What are you planning, woman!"
In instant he jumps and yells into my face, almost causes both of us to fall off Ah-Un's back.
"Jaken, Stay here with them."
Our conversation's ended by Sesshomaru's command. He then lands onto the ground and Ah-Un quickly follows. After making sure that everybody is staying where they are suppose to be, Sesshomaru flies away.
Mysterious as always...
I watch him disappearing into the clouds up above, while hearing Jaken complaining about how Sesshomaru has once again abandoned his number one servant to babysit us human.
"Alright, Ya all heard what he said. When Sesshomaru-sama's gone, I am the one in charge so you two better behave!"
Ignoring him, I look around the area to find something to do. Soon I spot something interesting not too far away, out of the cliff from where we stand.
"Hey, Rin! Want to go there and take a look?"
I point at the small village in front of us. At first Rin looks excited, but then she drops her head.
"But will it be alright for us to go?"
Knowing that deep down she really wants to leave, I convince her by giving a little push.
"Nah, It will be fine. Beside, Sesshomaru-sama didn't tell us to stay put, right?"
Still, she hesitates. Afraid that Sesshomaru will go mad if he doesn't see us when he gets back. As it has never been a good idea to anger him, she has done it once and never wanted to ever again.
"Then we can just return before he does. Come on, it won't take long."
I ensure Rin and take her hand.
"Hold it right there! Where are you taking Rin this time?!"
Immediately, Jaken jumps in to stop me.
"To the village down there. It doesn't look too dangerous right? I can see people walking on the road."
Therefore I point at the sight of human's habitat in answer, much to his irritation.
It's not even a day she's coming with us and this girl already try to cause more trouble! His eyes widened and of course, he protests at the stupid idea and attempts to pull Rin back.
"No! You can go and die off somewhere for all I care! But leave Rin out of this!"
However Rin resists, not letting go of my hand.
"B-but I wanna go too. Please, Jaken-sama."
"Yeah, let her go. It won't be long, I promise. Oh! How about you come with us too, Jaken-san?"
And I suggest him coming along so that he can protect Rin while sightseeing, but Jaken refuses me within a heart beat.
"Are you kidding?! Who's going to keep Ah-Un?! And I'm not setting my foot into a lowly human village!"
Having to hear another unnecessary insult coming from his nasty mouth, I drag Rin away before he can react.
"Well then, you can just stay here and wait for us to return. It doesn't sound too bad either!"
From behind, I can hear him shouting helplessly. "H-hey, wait! R-Rin! Come back!"
Watching them disappear into the woods, he looks back and forth between the route and Ah-Un then drops down to his knees in defeat. Oh no, Sesshomaru-sama is going to kill me...
At the village.
Needless to say I'm awed by the scene. The way people in this era dress and work in their daily life, just simply small little details easily catches my eyes.
"What are we going to do now, onee-chan?"
Tugging my skirt, Rin asks as I lead her further inside.
"Since we don't have money to pay for anything, let's just do some sightseeing for a bit."
Once passing by a fruit stand, Rin stops moving and keeps staring at the colorful fruits in front of her. Even drooling.
"Hello pretty lady, do you want to buy something for your sister to eat?"
Noticing a potential customer, the owner proposes.
"No sir, we're good."
And I have to refuse, trying to drag Rin away but to no avail. As she crawling over not only to the fruits but also to the other food stands.
"Rin?"
Hearing my call, she shifts her head back. Yet her eyes are not leaving the food on those display trays. Knowing that she's not paying fully attention to my words. I step in front of her and squat down to her height.
"I will find some fruit for you later on, okay? Because right now we need to finish our visit and return or Sesshomaru-sama will get worried."
Cupping Rin's small round face into my hands, I say loud and clear to wake her up. Only then she finally listens but looks a bit dejected. Then we continue our little sightseeing a bit more. Once passing half of the village, we hear a man's horrifying scream at the village's entrance.
"Everyone, run! Youkai are here!"
The villager's running toward to our direction and when only about ten feet away from us, he gets stabbed from behind and collapses onto the ground. Behind him appears a group of brown-skinned youkai, which is bit bigger than a normal human being and bear fangs, growling and slowly invading the village with multiple of weapons in their hands.
Witnessing such horrible scene, everyone turns panic and starts screaming as well. Running into different directions in order to escape and the whole area immediately turns into chaos.
Trying to not get ourselves separated by the crowd, Rin and I hug each other tightly then we hear the biggest one of the youkai orders out loud.
"Catch every woman you can find and kill the rest!"
Only waiting for that, they all dash into different paths and begin searching, destroying everything on their ways.
Only woman? Just great...
I groan inside and quickly lead Rin away from this hellhole by taking the opposite direction from them, further inside the village so that we can escape to the other side.
"Hurry Rin, we need to run too."
However those things are much faster than us and without any other option, we get into one of the hut nearby to hide from them. Once they're close by, I gesture Rin to stay quiet. While praying that they won't find us and leave.
Unfortunately, my old technique is not working cause of their sharp sense of smell and they starts gathering near the hut in which we're hiding.
"Things won't turn complicated if only you being killed."
Within this critical moment, Sesshomaru's words just have to ring in my head.
Damn it, how I hate him being so rude yet so right!
"Hurry and run while I distract them."
Having to change our tactic, I whisper to Rin and hand her my backpack. Yet she hesitates to accept until I shove it into her chest.
"But what about you?"
"I will be fine, what important right now is for you to reach to Sesshomaru-sama."
As I'm about to step outside, Rin tug my skirt and whisper to me in much confident.
"We will come back for you, onee-chan!"
Hopefully, but if it's Rin then maybe she can make Sesshomaru do it. "Sure, Are you ready?"
Once seeing Rin nod, I run out of the small hut and shout to draw the youkai's attention.
"Hey! Over here!"
Upon hearing my voice, they chase after me and I quickly escape to the opposite route to Rin. It's not that hard for them to catch up to my speed right after and corner me up to the wall.
"This should be the last of 'em! Let's hurry and return. Our boss is waiting!"
One of them shouts then drag me, together with the other female villagers into their cave deep within the foot of a mountain, which is just nearby.
Right... How should I describe this place as simple as possible?
It's stink of various smells, dark and cramped. The only thing that light up the whole place is the huge fire coming out from a big, old fashioned looking stove in the middle. Some old/new human's and animal's skulls scattering all over the cave. A huge bloody, wood table resting next to a wall full of different kind of skins.
Once reaching inside, they gather the women up into one spot at the corner. Then the biggest one, which I assume is their leader, appears and orders the smaller ones to keep a watch on us while he prepares for the feast.
Figures that their lives have come to the end, the women hide themselves further into the corner behind me and starts crying in agony.
"Heh heh. I always love hearing woman's screams before I slaughter them and enjoy their fleshes."
The one with a huge knife on his hand smirks and the others laugh along, seem to be agreed.
What the hell are they, sadists?
I frown in disgust while scanning the area for an escape route. Once hearing sobbing noises coming from behind, I realize that I cannot get out of here alone.
Then again, how am I suppose to save them all when I'm not even sure if I can save myself?
If I run now and abandon the villagers, I may have a small chance to get out but If I stay, I will just end up dying along with them. And what's worse is that people will have to die in either ways, more or less...
Noticing among of the women, there's one girl with a weird outfit has been staying silent. Annoyed and curious, one youkai approaches and kicks her leg.
"Hey! Why aren't you begging for your life? Hurry up and cry!"
Suddenly being pointed a knife at my face and demanded doing something ridiculous, I refuse and shift my head away.
"No, I don't want to. Why do I have to do that anyway?"
And that answer earns me a yank in the hair plus a sharp slap to the cheek.
"Are you trying to disobey me, woman?! Do you want me to kill you first?!"
Though his warning helps me come up with another idea.
Wait! What if I can save some time for the others to escape by drawing all of those youkai attentions on me?
Right now the villagers, who are sitting behind me, are hugging each other in fear.
And if Sesshomaru comes in time, maybe he can rescue most of us out from this hell hole...
"Well... you know what? I don't really mind. You can start off with me first."
I wipe away the blood at the corner of my lips and stare back at the thing in the eyes, much to the orge's surprise as he turns back to the others and make a signal at them to come to my spot.
Looking back and forth between the female villagers and the bloody table, I sigh and move along.
Meanwhile, back to their old spot.
Sesshomaru has now returned from his business and notices two persons are missing. In instant he looks for Jaken and questions him.
"Where's Rin?"
"U-uhm, Sesshomaru-sama…You see they uh..."
And Jaken flutters, not daring to look at him in the eyes. That stupid girl! She said she wouldn't take long and now she's still not back yet!
"So?"
Getting impatience, Sesshomaru asks again and causes him to flinch in terror.
"I….I.. Sesshomaru-sama! Please forgive me! It's my fau-"
Afraid that he will end his life in any second, he drops onto his knees and starts begging. Until they hear familiar call is heard behind them.
"Sesshomaru-sama! Jaken-sama!"
"Rin! You're back!"
Jaken jumps in joy once seeing her return in one piece.
"What take you so long, huh?! Where exactly did you go this time!? You almost scared me to death! And where's that human girl?"
While Rin is still trying to catch her breath from all the running. Jaken throws a bunch of questions at her face.
"W-we went to visit the village near here. But more importantly…"
She rushes to Sesshomaru's side, carrying Shiomi's backpack.
"Sesshomaru-sama, please help onee-chan! She has been kidnapped by the mean youkai!"
"Heh! Serve her right. Let's just leave her Sesshomaru-sama, if the youkai eat her then we will have fewer things to worry about!"
Hearing the good news that he's been waiting for so long, Jaken smirks urges his lord to abandone the human firl and get going. But Rin protests.
"Please don't say that Jaken-sama. Onee-chan got kidnapped because she tried to save me!"
"Of course she would save you. It obviously was her fault for taking you there in the first place!"
Still after hearing all the begging from Rin, Sesshomaru doesn't seem to faze, much to Jaken's delight.
"No use begging, Rin. Sesshomaru-sama would never waste his precious time on a useless human like her."
Therefore he states that saving one single girl is a waste of his lord time and snickers to himself. Heh! That wench is so dead!
However, his confident shatters the moment seeing Sesshomaru walks off. Straight toward to the human village's direction.
"W-Wait, Sesshomaru-sama! Don't tell me you're trying to-"
Dumbfounded by his decision, Jaken falls onto his knees while Rin's overjoyed.
"Thank you so much! Sesshomaru-sama!"
"Grrr... This girl, acting all so tough! Let's see if you're still acting that way after I chop off one of your limbs."
With a big knife on his hand, The youkai drags me out and throws me onto the table. Running its sharp blade against my arms and legs while humming a riddle.
"Now, where should I strike?"
"Hmm...I don't know, your arms?"
I answer nonchalantly and it glares at me. Tired of fooling around, I take off my coat and pull up the sleeves to reveal my bare arms to him. Without waiting, he raises the knife up high and attempts to chop them off.
Not wanting to watch myself getting incapacitated, I shut my eyes and bite my lips. Despite knowing that it will grow back in the end, my body still trembles in fear when imagine having to bear that horrible pain.
However, before the blade can reach to my skin. Sesshomaru appears at the cave's entrance, along with Rin and Jaken riding on of top Ah-Un. His sudden appearance startles all of the youkai inside and the one standing in front of me lowers his knife just to stares at him.
"Onee-chan!"
Rin calls out and about to rush over my side but Jaken has stopped her. Oddly, this is the very first time ever in my life that I almost jump in joy upon seeing them annoying faces. Except for Rin, of course.
"Sesshomaru-sama? Why are you here?"
The youkai leader's approaches him in a safe distance and asks.
"I believe you are keeping something belong to I, Sesshomaru."
Not going to waste his time talking, Sesshomaru straight out demands having me back.
"Eh? Do we now, Sesshomaru-sama? Don't tell me one of these women is yours?"
The youkai gives him a confused look then turns back to the villagers hiding in the corner. Ignoring the cowering peasants at the corner, Sesshomaru glances at me and it instantly figures out what he wants.
"My apologize, Sesshomaru-sama. But she's our prey and we cannot let you take her"
Refusing to let me go, the youkai pushes me standing behind its back.
"You lowly insolent youkai! Are you trying to disobey Sesshomaru-sama's order?!"
Annoyed by their disrespectful action, Jaken yells while hiding behind Sesshomaru and it bows.
"I would never, my lord. In fact you are free to pick one of the women over there. But this girl right here is ours."
Since when has he become so determine to eat me? I frown in disbelief while having to listen to one of the most ridiculous conversations I've ever heard in my life.
"If you insist..."
Therefore Sesshomaru smirks and steps forward, much to the youkai's delight and my terror.
What?! Are you telling me that he's going to pick another person over me to avoid conflict?!
Different from our expectations however, Sesshomaru stops before us and simply raises his right arm up and starts cracking his long fingers. And *Eh?* is the only word coming out of its mouth before getting sliced into pieces under Sesshomaru's claws.
"Holy...!" While my legs freeze as everything happens way too fast to react.
Of course, slaughtering the leader in front of his subordinates will do nothing but angered the crowd. Without spending a single second to think they all charge at Sesshomaru. Just like what has happened to their leader, they're all get smashed into different size pieces of meat within seconds.
Jeeze... Talk about overkill...
For some reasons, the more I observe this strange Sesshomaru person, the more I'm curious to know about him.
Seriously, just how strong can this guy be? Is there even a limit to his power at all?
Well, let's just hope that i will never have a chance to get on his bad side. Ever in my entire life.
"Kyaaa! Please spare me!"
Horrified by the violent scene, one of the captured women screams and I approach the group to calm her down.
"H-hey, it's alright now. He won't harm you. We're safe now."
I offer my hand to her but she slaps it away, shutting her eyes tightly and covering her ears. While the other women even refuse to look at me. As if I have become some kind of a monster.
"No! Stay away from me!"
"Save your breath, kiddo. They're too scared to think straight right now, speaking with them is useless."
Jaken tells me to ignore them then walks off. Therefore I have no choice but to follow since Sesshomaru has already left the cave and flew away.
As I'm about to reach to the cave's entrance, my eyes catch on something shiny lying on the ground, under the youkai's body parts. Huh? Isn't that…
"Hurry up! What are you waiting for!"
Hearing Jaken's nag, I quickly pick up the object and rush to their side. "Okay, I'm coming!"