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ABC Thought

Chapter 38

"Is something matter, Sesshomaru-sama?!"

Jaken hurries to his lord side upon seeing him jolting up from his nap. For some reasons, Sesshomaru looks troubled but doesn't say anything. And there's nothing Jaken can do to gain his attention.

That was definitely Shiomi! She was here!

Confused by what has happened just now, Sesshomaru begins to drown himself within endless doubts.

That flower's fragrance was in the air yet it's nowhere to be seen. Why couldn't I sense her presence when she was so close to me?

A delusion? Was my mind playing a trick on me? Had I missed her to the point going insane?

But what if Shiomi's still alive? What if she was trying to tell me something?

Unable to distinguish between dream and reality, irritated, his hands clench into fists. The grip is so strong that his palms begin to draw blood.

"Sesshomaru-sama! What's wrong?!"

Jaken immediately backs away in fear, his face goes completely pale.

"We're leaving, now."

Walking pass Jaken, Sesshomaru orders him and he shrieks, both in surprise and relief.

"Y-Yes, Sesshomaru-sama! I will wake Rin up right away!"

Kyuubi no Kitsune. I will track this cursed fox down and make her spit out everything she has.

3 days later.

In the morning.

There's still no sight of her, However...

"Ah! Apples!"

Rin shouts in excitement once those fresh, red juicy fruits hanging up on the tree gets into her view. Without hesitation, she leads Ah-Un to where they are and stands on the dragon's back to harvest some for her and the others.

But Rin can't reach to them no matter how far her arm stretches.

"Jaken-sama! Can you hit these with Nintoujou so they can fall onto the ground?"

Therefore, she asks for his help.

"No! Why would I have to do that?!"

Jaken yells back.

"Please, Jaken-sama! I haven't eaten anything since dawn! I'm starving!"

Knowing that she won't stop whining for any time soon, he groans in defeat. While Sesshomaru continues making his way to the closest tree and takes a seat. Drifting into his own world once again.

"Sigh… He's acting so much colder now."

Watching him from afar, Jaken whimpers.

"It can't be helped. Sesshomaru-sama's still depressed about onee-chan's incident."

Jumping down from Ah-Un's back, Rin states.

"Beside, I don't think he is cold at all. Sesshomaru-sama is actually really warm and kind-hearted!"

"I don't know of any kindness."

Realized how he had received/ still receiving such unfair treatment from his lord despite staying by his side for years, Jaken's eyes go teary as Rin comforts him.

.

..

…

"You are so cold, Sesshomaru."

Seemed to have enough of what is running inside her mind. Shiomi let them all out at me.

"No matter how much I tried, you always pushing me away and acting so distant!"

Hiding away the red apples that I had found earlier into my kimono sleeve, I stood there patiently to listen to what she had to say.

"Is there any reason for you to not open yourself to me? You are really unfair, you know that?"

The moment that word slipped through her lips, my chest started building up a displeasure emotion.

Unfair?

She had no idea how clueless she was.

From the beginning I was satisfied with what I had, simply with Rin and Jaken by my side. Things were stable and fluent, like how they were suppose to be.

Until the day you decided to show up before us. My personal space, rules and pride of a mighty lord that I had spent countless effort to establish and maintain, you ruined them all within a short period of time.

How unforgivable.

And what you gave me in return shortly after, was a taste of something called longing.

It had never been a fair trade.

To make me desire for someone like you. I despite these possessive and attached feelings inside me, yet they kept growing stronger without my permission.

If I abandoned you right there, those suffering would be gone as well. Yet I couldn't bring myself to do so. No, more like it's already too late for me to do so.

After all, you had already gotten me captivated…

…

..

.

At night.

"Sesshomaru-sama, it's already the third day!"

Blowing away the snake-alike youkai flying at them with Nintoujou, Jaken raises his opinion after losing patient on waiting for Toutousai. Claiming that damned old man had ran away with Tenseiga instead of actually reforging the sword.

"Moo…Wham!"

Out of nowhere, Toutousai appears riding his three-eyes buffalo and steps on Jaken's body.

"Draw the sword, Sesshomaru. I wonder if you can master this new technique."

Offering the Tenseiga to me, Toutousai expresses his thought toward to the Daiyoukai's ability.

"If you've done a poor job with Tenseiga, your life is over."

Unsheathing the katana, I accept his challenge and warns the old blacksmith in return.

"Your personality hasn't changed, has it…?"

The old man comments bluntly as Jaken denies the fact. "Now what are you saying?"

Right after Sesshomaru draws out his sword, the earth in front of him starts to crumble and a giant orge rises up from the ground. With Tenseiga on his hand starts glowing, Sesshomaru jumps forward and strikes but deals no damage to the monster.

"Wha… It didn't kill him?!"

Jaken watches the situation in shock.

"Jaken-sama, what is that?!"

Rin points at the sight of a long, black crescent moon behind the youkai's head. Only then Toutousai starts to explain.

"So, the Meidou has opened."

After tearing off the giant orge upper body into two, the strange line closes itself and fades away. Both Rin and Jaken still being left confused,

"It vanished, what on earth was that?!"

"You saw it with your own eyes, the oni's body was taken into the next world through Meidou."

Toutousai says, scratching his head.

"Next world?"

The old blacksmith begins to introduce Tenseiga's new ability, which that cuts open a path to darkness and send the enemy to the realm of the dead, called Meidou Zangetsuha.

"Toutousai. The fighting Tenseiga, I will certainly take it."

Perhaps with this new power of Tenseiga, I will be able to fight against Kyuubi no Kitsune head on. Only then I will able to discover whether Shiomi's truly gone.

In one morning.

Within a forest.

"How amazing, Sesshomaru-sama! You've eliminated them all in such a short time!"

Jaken comments in excitement at the sight of defeated youkai lying shattered around the place.

"At this point, there shall be no one who can stand a chance against you!"

No, it's still not good enough…The Meidou is nowhere near a full circle. It seems that I have no choice but to come to that person for some more information.

Soon, I follow Naraku's scent in the air and find Byakuya is trying to kill Kohaku. Annoyed by the sight, I draws out Tenseiga to cast Meidou at him.

"Jeeze, you startled me. What was that attack just now?"

Standing up from the ground, the annoying-looking man smirks.

"Moryoumaru's scent has disappeared. So the one who devoured him was Naraku."

Not wanting to waste my time to explain, I mention Moryoumaru.

"And? Have you come to save Kohaku? It certainly doesn't look that way."

Byakuya mocks, doesn't deny the fact.

"I just came to kill a nauseating stench. That is all."

I take a step forward and immediately, Byakuya takes out a white flower to run for his life.

Hmph! Let's see how long you can keep that arrogant attitude of yours, Sesshomaru…

Afternoon of the same day

"I have to go back!"

Finally be able to walk after getting paralyzed by the poison, Kohaku tries to make his way back to Kikyou as fast as he possible. Still, Rin stops him.

"Kohaku! You shouldn't be moving right now! The poison hasn't worn off yet, right?!"

"But Kikyou-sama… Had become very weak… I don't know how she's faring right now."

Letting out the words under his breath, Kohaku keeps on going.

"It's too dangerous, aren't there people after you, Kohaku?"

Rin tries to persuade the boy to reconsider.

"It's already too late,"

Watching the bright red sunset up above, I inform to them. The scent of the wind, it has changed.

Inuyasha... In the end, even you cannot protect the woman you cherish.

Some days later.

At some unknown grass field.

"Jaken-sama. Do you know what Sesshomaru-sama is doing?"

Curious about his strange act, she asks. But Jaken too, doesn't know the exact answer.

"How would I know? These past few days, it's been like he's looking for something."

"Perhaps it's onee-chan?"

"That much should be obvious. But I doubt it's not all."

Jaken frowns in curiosity, his eyes haven't for once left the sight of Sesshomaru."

There she is! Finally found what he's looking for flying within the cloud up on the sky, Sesshomaru immediately takes off into the air and quickly change into his youkai form.

"Sesshomaru-sama?!"

Once Sesshomaru lands onto the ground and creates a big crash, Jaken and Rin hurry to the spot to find him.

Waiting for the smoke to fade away, they're shocked to see a long silver haired woman who looks similar to Sesshomaru. Bearing crescent moon on her forehead and slightly different marks on each of her upper cheek. She's wearing a purple and white kimono with green and yellow butterfly designs.

And what's more, this beautiful person also possesses a Mokomoko, which warped around her body and a light blue necklace on her chest.

"So it was you, Sesshomaru."

Therefore the mysterious woman speaks, doesn't seem to be surprised or afraid to confront Sesshomaru face to face.

"Who do you think you are?! How dare you addressing Sesshomaru-sama without a title?!"

Angered by how disrespectful the woman is to his lord, Jaken yells.

"I thought perhaps you could tell me of Chichi-ue's memento, Tenseiga."

Sesshomaru gets straight into the point and she chuckles.

"Hmm…Are you saying that you've come to pay your Haha-ue a visit?" (Haha-ue: Mother)

Everyone gasps in surprise upon the unexpected turn of event.

"Eh?! She is Sesshomaru-sama's mother?!"

At the castle in the sky.

"So, Sesshomaru. Do you actually not hate human?"

Sitting on her throne in the middle of the palace, the female Inu Daiyoukai asks her son. Her sharp eyes land on the little beings standing behind his back.

"Those children you have with you…Do you intend to eat them?"

"Ridiculous. You should have heard from Chichi-ue about using Tenseiga to open the Meidou."

In instant, Sesshomaru rejects the idea and asks her to focus onto the main topic. Only then she carresses the necklace on her chests, revealing a bit of information.

"Is that so? Though I was merely entrusted with this Meidou Seki…"

"Meidou Seki?"

"I was told to use this stone if Sesshomaru were to stop by. Oh yes, and he told me this as well…"

She repeats the words that Inu no Taisho has told to her. And that If Sesshomaru uses the Meidou Seki, he will be faced with great danger. However, he must not feel fear or sadness.

"I can't believe she's saying this while smiling."

Jaken's chilled by how there is little to none concern she's showing to her son's safety.

"She doesn't seem very worried."

Rin too, somewhat is curious about this strange woman.

"Now what will you do, Sesshomaru? Don't make your mother waiting."

In attempt to pressure him, she urges playfully.

"Hmph! The thought never crossed my mind."

Sesshomaru states confidently.

"In that case, shall we have a bit of fun?"

Pleased with his answer, she holds up the Meidou Seki and releases a giant black dog at him. In reflex, Sesshomaru draws Tenseiga and uses Meidou Zangetsuha.

"So this is Sesshomaru's Meidou. It's nowhere near a full moon."

After witnessing his Meidou attack however, she's disappointed of how weak-looking it looks.

"What?! Sesshomaru-sama's sword cannot cut through it?!"

Jaken gasps in shock.

Then Meikai no Inu/Underworld Dog devours both Rin and Kohaku and bring them into the Meikai with it through Sesshomaru's Meidou Zangetsuha.

"Sesshomaru, it appears that your katana can neither harm, not bring any good."

With no other choice, Sesshomaru gets into the Meidou in attempt to save them. However she stops him.

"Do you intend to pass through the Meidou? And on top of that, to save a human… Sesshomaru, you really have become soft."

Much to his annoyance. She points out the weakness he has been trying to hide since the beginning.

"I'm just going in there to slay the dog."

Inside the Underworld.

After taking down the Meikai no Inu with his Tenseiga and releases the children, Kohaku's able to wake up thanks to the power of Shikon no Tama. Carrying Rin on his back, he follows Sesshomaru further inside.

"Sesshomaru-sama… Rin isn't breathing and her body is getting cold."

Notices something's off about the girl, he informs him.

Therefore Sesshomaru orders him to set Rin onto the ground. As he's trying to use Tenseiga to revive her again however, there appears to be no minions for him to slay.

Why, Tenseiga?!

Abruptly, a wave of darkness sweeps over them and carries Rin away.

"Rin!"

While they're chasing after it, a gate leading back to the outside world opens right before them.

"Come out, Sesshomaru. If you step forward, you can come out of the underworld."

Still sitting on her throne, the empress warns him that this path will soon close and once it does. He won't be able to return to his world.

Going back? Sesshomaru frowns at the ridiculous idea. There's no way I'm going back when Rin is still-

"Sesshomaru."

In instant, all of his inner thoughts is washed off by that mysterious call and Sesshomaru turns around. Cannot hide a shocked expression on his face.

"Sesshomaru-sama, what's wrong?"

Notices his odd movements, Kohaku asks him but he's too busy searching around the place to answer.

Sensing something's approaching and his grip on Tensaiga tighten, Sesshomaru waits patiently for it to get close enough to strike.

"Shiomi?!"

His heart skips a beat the moment Shiomi appears within the dark. The only source of all his pain and happiness, is now standing right there, in front of his eyes.

With that same gentle smile, she offers her hand to him. In reflex, he reaches out his hand as well. Yet something within him stops Sesshomaru before he can touch her.

No…This could be a trap. I cannot be too hasty!

As if getting upset after seeing the hesitation in him, Shiomi frowns and runs off. Disappearing into the void up ahead. Despite how much he calls out for her, she doesn't look back.

"Wait!"

Ignores every single doubt that is screaming inside his mind, Sesshomaru swiftly makes chase after her. Not forgetting to remind Kohaku to leave this hellish place.

"Kohaku! Take that path and get out of here!"

Huh? Another route's opened up? Kohaku's eyes widen in shock once seeing another path appears under Sesshomaru's feet. Still, he doesn't escape through the closing portal and to follow Sesshomaru instead.

"Sesshomaru-sama! I'm coming with you!"

What's going on? Why is Sesshomaru-sama suddenly in such a hurry? Kohaku dashes through the narrow path as fast as he can, completely confused. Is he chasing after someone? But there's nothing up ahead.

Getting close to Shiomi, Sesshomaru reaches out his arm to catch her. However the moment they touch, Shiomi's body shines up a bright white light. Instantly blinding both of his sense and vision.

"Gyah!"

Kohaku covers his eyes due to the bright light. Once everything has died down, Sesshomaru's been nowhere to be found.

"Wha…Sesshomaru-sama?!"

..

...

What happened…?

…

"Sesshomaru…Sesshomaru…"

…

Who…?

…

"Wake up!"

…

What?... Wake up…?

...

Snapping my eyes wide open, I jolt up from whatever really soft I am lying on.

"Kyah!"

Suddenly there's a girly yelps by my side, along with the sound of something hard falling onto the ground.

Where is this place?

Still being unaware of the situation, plus having light-headed and blurry vision. I reach to Tenseiga at my hips to protect myself. Only to realize that it's gone, along with the rest of my clothes and armor.

I am naked? How?

Trying to regain some of the memories from earlier as much as possible but to no avail, I dart my eyes around to find the missing katana before something about this place hits me, its familiarity.

This scent and view…It can't be…

My heart starts racing the moment seeing a pair of slender arms appear by the side of the bed.

"Ouch, that's hurt…"

She gets back up onto the bed and quickly covers herself with the blue blanket.

"Jeeze, Sesshomaru! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!"

That face, body and voice…

My mind's frozen once finding the person sitting before me is no one else but her.

"Shiomi?!"