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ABC Thought

Chapter 36

After spending days searching for their lord, Rin and Jaken finally found him sitting alone on a rock by the river side. However, Sesshomaru didn't recognize their arrival and keeps staring into the distant. None of them knew for how long had he been in this state but didn't have the guts to ask him.

"What's going on? Sesshomaru-sama has been sitting there for hours now."

Sitting from afar watching him Rin whispers to Jaken, curious how Sesshomaru ends up covering with wounds and having his armor is badly damaged.

"Did he get into a fight with someone?"

"Hmm… My best bet would be the Kyuubi no Kitsune."

And Jaken frowns, taking a wild guess.

"Kyuubi no Kitsune?! Does that mean something has happened to her?! Is that why he looks so depressed right now?"

Worried for Shiomi's safety, Rin begins to sobs out loud and breaks their little peaceful atmosphere. Turning back and forth between a crying girl and a frustrated demon lord, Jaken goes panic.

"H-Hey! Why are you crying now?! Stop it! You will bother Sesshomaru-sama!"

Meanwhile, Sesshomaru's still gazing at the water surface in silent. Feeling the cool wind blowing gently to his face and carrying the long silver hair onto the air. Closing his eyes, Sesshomaru gives out soft sigh, letting himself buried deep inside the endless negative thoughts.

The reason I chose this river, was to hope that this scenery would able to calm this chaotic mind of mine.

Yet the longer I stay, the more I miss you and it's just too painful.

For how much longer...? Without you. Will I have enough strength to last?

.

..

…

That night before the incident

"And for what exactly do you need my help with?"

Hated the feeling of being clueless about the thing I was about to be doing, I asked her.

Therefore Shiomi started to explain that she has gotten an information of a place, in which could provide answers for her origin, her youkai abilities. And on top of that, there's a possibility that she would be able to unseal the power within her.

"Which means I will become strong, perhaps even as much as you do."

She claimed, her brown eyes lifted up with hope and excitement. "I won't be just a weak human girl any longer. I will have the power to protect you, Rin and everyone else!"

"Protect me?"

Surprised to hear such wild thought coming from her, my eyes widened while Shiomi smiled. It was the brightest smile I had ever seen.

"Yes. Up until now, you've always been the one who protecting me from dangers. But this time it will be different. I will definitely get stronger and I will protect you. Sesshomaru, I will protect everything that is yours."

Shiomi…Why did you have to crave for such power? Was I not good enough to protect you?

Not for once had I ever wished for your protection. As long as having you by my side, I would not give a damn whether you was being powerless or not.

That's why... The thought of you became strong and be independent of my power, I despite it deep down inside.

...

..

.

If only that day had I ignored your feelings, you would still be here. Lying in my arm and smiling to me.

It doesn't matter if you run away and hate me for it because at least, I still can watch you being happy from faraway. Just by seeing that bright smiling face of yours every day, is enough for me to live on.

"Whoosh…Boom!"

A black cloud lands on the ground before us, revealing to be an old man who is carrying a long hammer and riding a black three eyes buffalo. He then greets him in casual tone.

"Hey."

"Toutousai?!"

Jaken gasps out loud due to his surprise visit,

"What's your business?"

Curious about his sudden visit, I ask and Toutousai stares at Tensaiga on my hip.

"I'd thought something was lacking, and Toukijin is gone, is it?"

"Even without a sword, I could simply slash you to shreds with my claws."

I declare, cracking my fingers and prepare to attack if he's ever attempt to mock any further.

"Anywho…The reason I came here was because Tensaiga called to me."

Toutousai frowns in annoyance and starts explaining that Tensaiga is restless. It seems that where there is a lacking in my heart, something has been born from it.

Could it be that because of Onee-chan…?

Gradually, Rin figures out the hint from his words.

"What do you mean by *lacking*, Sesshomaru-sama's heart is perfect!"

Though Jaken strongly protests. Claiming that his lord has no flaws.

"Is there? Anything come to mind?"

Ignores the little youkai's outburst, Toutousai calmly asks.

Then, Shiomi's cheerful voice and images come into my mind. Only soon to be replaced by the memories from that rainy day.

"The girl soul's has been long devoured into the depth of the soul realm."

"This very body belongs to me now!"

"She's dead and there's nothing you can do to save her."

"Well, I don't know what happened though. The point is that, Tenseiga reacted to your change of heart. It was angered and had sorrow, but for someone else's sake not yourself."

Doesn't bother to dig deeper in other's personal business, Toutousai adds, reaching his hand to me.

"So then, you gonna hand over Tenseiga? I've come to reforge it to be a weapon."

Meanwhile at somewhere far away…

What an odd wind…

Sora halts her footsteps once feeling a gust of wind blowing directly toward her. From above, she sees a feminine, paled skin looking man with black ponytail. Purple eyes and lips painted red, riding on a huge paper crane in front of her.

"Good morning, Kyuubi no Kitsune-dono"

Slowly, the strange guy lands on the ground to greet her.

"What do you want?"

Ignore the troublesome etiquette, Sora gets straight into the point. While observing him from head to toes.

"Now, now… Don't be too hasty, at least let me introduce myself first."

He chuckles and gives her a slight bow.

"Introducing, huh? How about you getting out here and do it properly instead of hiding like a coward behind those trees?"

Sora raises an eyebrow in mockery and dashes to one of the tree up ahead.

What?! She can see through my illusion?!

Shocked to find his special technique gets busted this fast, he makes a run for his life.

"Pretty brave of you to believe that this child play can actually fool me. Better go home and train some more, girly boy."

However Sora's gotten one step ahead and cornered him by slamming her hand onto the tree, near his face to stop him from moving.

"Just as expected from the legendary Kyuubi no Kitsune. Extremely sharp, indeed!"

He mutters, hugging himself protectively away from the deadly woman.

"Quit your yapping and talk."

Sora snarls, her red eyes turn dangerously sharp.

"Very well, the name is Byakuya-"

Before he can finish his sentence, she cuts him off.

"One of Naraku's useless pets…. Your scent has already given it away when you first appeared. Now state your business quick before I get annoyed and tear you down to pieces."

"Then I shall not waste your precious time any longer."

Byakuya proceeds explaining his reason for confronting her. And that Naraku offers Sora an cooperation, he wants her to join force with him to eliminate both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha.

"With your immense youkai power, they will never stand a chance to stand against us."

Right after hearing his idiotic offer, Sora burst into laughter.

"What? Me? Forming an alliance with a half-breed to destroy a couple dogs? Hah! I'm not that of a weakling to require pity help from the likes of you!"

Jeeze, this arrogant barbaric woman… Byakuya folds his arm up to his chest, shooting her a bored look. If it wasn't because of Naraku's ridiculous order, I wouldn't be here listening to her insults.

"Beside… if I wanted to kill them, they would have been dead long ago. But where will be the fun of that? This is not just about killing, you see. It is torturing that I am aiming at."

Sora chuckles darkly, much to his amusement. Thinking that perhaps things will be much more interesting to watch if they have her on their side, Byakuya tries to persuade Sora to cooperate.

"Then why not joining us? Imagining how priceless their face will be when helplessly watching us destroying what they hold dear. Perhaps you will have a chance to witness Sesshomaru making even lovelier expression comparing to last time…"

"Hmph! I knew you were there watching my fight."

One of her white tails stroke his cheek, causing Byakuya gulps to terror. "So now you're using that to bait me, huh?"

"However, what you said was not really a bad idea."

She releases him and turns away, while he sighs in relief. "Before that there is one condition you need to fulfill."

"And that is…?"

"My weapon."

"Your weapon?" He repeats the word in question and Sora nods, smirking.

"That's right... Find my weapon, and I will consider about joining force with Naraku."