Impossibility
Anzu's Explanation and Rin's Secret
Chapter Seven
Before Raidon could lay a finger on Makato, a flaming ball singed the air between them. Makato knew who threw the ball between them—it had to be Anzu. And he was right, for his sister jumped in between them, her body glowing with fire. She proceeded to kick Raidon in his face, and then Makato in his stomach.
"Makato, what the hell is wrong with you?!" She yelled at him, everyone around her very surprised at her actions (most of whom had no idea who she was). "I don't you not to do anything stupid!"
Makato, still trying to catch his breath, tried to reply. "I-I... d- in't… start it. H-he," He pointed at Raidon, "did."
"Oh," Anzu sighed.
"Anzu!" Shippou said shrilly. "What the hell are you doing here?!"
Anzu looked at him sheepishly. "We-ll… I kinda followed you. I was afraid that Makato might do—"
"What the fuck, Anzu?" Makato seemed to have recovered, and was now standing, and very angry with his sister. "You think you can just follow me around, watching me as if I was a fucking kid? What the hell is wrong with you! You can't control my life, you can't watch over me every second, and you can't treat me like you have been!!" Electricity sparked around him as fire was coiling from Anzu's toes to her fingers.
"Makato, please…" Anzu looked embaressed.
"Please? Please what, Anzu? All my life I've been mistreated! I haven't been as strong as my brothers were, I'm not that great a fighter, my morals are weak and pathetic, I've done all the wrongs that someone else actually has—" everyone was staring in shock at Raidon right now, and the others had come out of the hut—"I poisoned and almost killed Kagami, which I would never do! Hakami did that, not I! I was trying to protect her, and yet that damn half-demon son a bitch over there attacked me for something I didn't do. I'm sick of it now, and you're going to start treating me differently from now on! Differently… yes, very much so…" Makato mumbled to himself, sizzling with horrible rage. He ran off suddenly, over to the woods and disappeared.
"Makato!" Kagami ran after him, but was stopped by Raidon.
"Leave him alone, Kagami, I—"
"No, Raidon, let her go," Shippou said, letting Kagami free to go after Makato.
"Makato?" Kagami called. "Where are you, Makato?" She jumped as a twig snapped behind her. Turning around, she found who she was looking for.
"What do you want, Kagami?" He asked her testily.
"I was going to ask you the same thing…" She smiled wryly at him.
Makato blushed, holding his head high. "I-I wanted to see you, Kagami… I…"
Kagami didn't know what came over her, but she went up to Makato and threw her arms around him, holding him tight. "I'm glad you're not dead. I thought you were," she whispered. "Makato…"
He slid his arms carefully around her waist. "I'm glad you're not dead. I was horrified once I learned that Hakima had… poisoned you. Oh, Kagami." Makato held her head up and kissed her. It was an intense kiss, and the only part of her body that Kagami moved was her lips. She felt limp, but it was as if she was floating on a cloud with Makato's arms around her.
The kiss finally ended, Makato and Kagami both looking into each other's eyes. "I think I'm in love with you, Kagami."
Kagami blushed, not sure if she felt the same way. "Makato, please come back. Raidon won't attack you again if I stop him. It'll be all right, I promise. Okay?"
Makato nodded reluctantly. "Well, fine then. Let's go."
1 I
In a cave, there was a cold creature. His heart was made of ice, and he was seeking raw power. This creature, this demon, had been searching for a very long time… almost two decades by now. But he was growing stronger, almost strong enough to move around. As soon as his next victim came around—which would be very soon—he would be able to move. And he would be able to find the jewel, the power that he had been looking for. The girl held it, and he would take it from her, leaving her rotten. The other girl, however… she was trouble, along with the boy. But then, there were two boys now. Both very powerful, and he didn't know what trouble that they could cause. But the power grew more potent each day, cemented inside a tiny orb of rock… and it would belong to no one else but him.
1.1 I
"Makato, I'm afraid that I just didn't follow you today. Right after you and Shippou left," Anzu let out a wavering sigh, "I felt a great disturbance. I never told you this before, but our mother was a mystic demon. That is, she could tell the future and read peoples' lives. I know it sounds ridiculous, but she was one of the only demons left in the world with this kind of blood in her. I inherited the gift from her, and I can feel and see things like she did. I know you can too, but not as strongly."
"And what does this have to do with anything?" Makato asked unsteadily. He was uncomfortable with Kagami's parents, Raidon, and all of the other people listening to them.
"This disturbance I felt is not exactly good," Anzu said. "It involves everyone here, too. Kagami, Raidon… you're going to be involved in a great battle."
Makato snorted out loud, to which he received a scorching finger in his side. It was quite painful for him.
"Damn it, Anzu, what the hell was that for?" He barked at her.
"You don't believe me," she scowled. "In a minute you will, though. Like I said, all three of you are going to be in a great battle. Yes, Makato, you're one of the three. And there are one or two others along with you. Kagami, I have some bad news for you…"
"Huh? What d'ya mean, 'bad news'?" Kagami tensed, rushing into conclusions right away. "I mean, I'm not going to die, am I? I'm not gonna—"
"No, Kagami, I doubt that you are," Anzu interrupted the girl's rants. "I'm afraid that there's a dark presence looking for great power… and that great power, Kagami, is inside of you right now. I… I'm not quite sure what it is, but it has something to do with the… oh, what's it called? The shikon jewel. That's it, and—"
"What?!" Kagome, Inu-Yasha, Miroku, Sango, and Shippou all yelled out at the same time.
Anzu looked greatly annoyed. "I wish you would all shut up and just listen to me until I finish! Now please keep those mouths shut unless it's a matter of life and death. Now then, Kagami, this power has just been inserted inside you recently. If it is removed, you are going to die. But, there is someone who you can go to that can remove it without you dying. After you've done this, you must destroy the power. I'm afraid I don't know how to do that, and you'll have to figure it out on your own. Does everyone understand that, then?"
They all nodded, except for Kagome and Inu-Yasha, whose mouths were gaping open.
"Um, Mom, Dad?" Kagami waved her hand in front of their eyes. "It's all right, really. I mean, I don't get any of this at all, but we'll figure a way out to… uh, figure everything… out. Okay?"
"There's no way my little daughter is going to some nut to have this… this… power taken out of her!" Inu-Yasha yelled at Anzu. "How do you know it won't kill her if this guy does it, anyway? Who is he anyway?"
"I believe his name is… Iku. I've never met him, I don't know what he's like, but I've heard of him and where he lives."
"How do you know he even exists?" Sango asked.
"…" Anzu was silent. "W-well, I-I really… don't. Ah, heh heh."
"Oh, wonderful, dear sister, just wonderful," Makato sneered. "We're going to chase after someone who we don't even know exists. We don't even know if we can trust him. In fact, we don't even know if he can get whatever is in Kagami out of her without killing her!"
Anzu sighed. "I'm pretty sure he is alive, but I could be wrong. I know you can trust him, and I think he can help Kagami."
Kagami nodded. "Then tell us where he is. I want this thing out of me!"
"No, Kagami," Kagome put her hand on her daughter. "I don't know about this…"
"Kagome-san," Raidon said, "I will go with Kagami, of course, and protect her as best I possibly can. I swear that she will be safe with me."
Kagome nodded, looking somewhat dazed. Inu-Yasha took his wife's hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"Okay, Raidon. I'll take you and my daughter's word that you're nothing like Sesshoumaru. If she gets hurt, I'll kill you," Inu-Yasha informed the young half-demon.
"R-right…" Raidon sweated.
"Makato," Anzu said, "you're going with them." He didn't argue with her.
"Mother, I'm back! I have those herbs you wanted for Kagami…" Kazuo came inside, and noticed that everyone was silently staring at him. He also noticed the two newcomers. "Umm, did I miss something?"
"You're it!" Anzu suddenly cried out, pointing at Kazuo with a sudden but glorious revelation.
"Huh?" Kazuo looked shocked. "What did I do?"
"Boy, what is your name?" she asked him.
"Uhh… Kazuo."
"You are Sango's son, correct? Well, Sango, I'm afraid your son is the other one who is involved. Kazuo, you are going with Kagami and Raidon and Makato as well," Anzu announced.
"Uhh…" Kazuo was extremely confused. "Well, okay."
"You must leave as soon as possible. Take weapons, food, and a few extra garments, just in case."
They all stood up to get ready and started moving around, making preparations. Poor Kazuo turned to Shippou and whispered, "Where am I going?"
1.2 I
It was a day later, and the four chosen were walking in the direction that Anzu had pointed them in. One of the "adults" had been sent along with them, Shippou. There had been a very intense, nervous silence between Raidon and Makato since they had left. Kagami walked in between them, hoping that another scuffle could be prevented.
Kagami had just been thinking about Makato's feelings, when Raidon suddenly stopped, raising his arm in front of Kagami to stop her.
"What is it, Raidon?" Kagami asked curiously.
"I smell…" He mumbled.
Raidon jumped up over Kagami and Makato's head, landing behind some bushes. He stuck his hand inside of it, grabbing an unknown figure from inside it. Jumping back over to his cousin, Raidon held in his hands a small, ugly and green toad-like demon.
"Hello, Jaken," Raidon said a little too pleasantly. Jaken let out a little "eep!" of fear, shrinking down cowardly. "And what might you be doing here, stalking us? Has my father sent you? Or maybe you're just too curious for your own good."
"W-well, Lord Raidon," Jaken stuttered. "I-I… guess I'm t-t-too curious f- for my own good, eh?"
Raidon shook him, hard, and scowled at the little ugly creature. "Damn it, Jaken, don't play games with me! I don't need a baby-sitter, and you be sure to tell my father that when you come crashing into his room…"
"C-crashing, my Lord?" Jaken squeaked fearfully.
"Yes," Raidon grinned, showing his sharp teeth. "When I throw your from here over to his domain."
"B-but Lord Raidon—!"
"Or, if you prefer," Raidon drawled, "you could tell me what you're doing spying on us."
Jaken sighed, and decided to give in. "Well, my Lord Sesshoumaru wanted me to find out what you were doing… and since your mother was worried sick about you… he ordered me to lead you home."
"Well, go tell him that he can kiss his ass," Raidon dropped Jaken on the ground. "I'm not— um, wait a minute. What was that about my mother?"
"Miss Rin wants you home. She's literally worried sick about you. She's had a fever for a day or more. She keeps asking for you, Lord Raidon."
Raidon sighed, torn between his duty to save Kagami, and his duty to his mother. "Kagami, would you mind if I stopped to see my mother."
Kagami shook her head. "Of course not, and I'll go with you, too!"
"No, Kagami, I'll catch up with you later on, all right?" Raidon said irritably.
"Raidon, don't argue with me. Your mother took care of me and healed me, and I want to go and take care of her."
The young half-demon shifted uncomfortably, pondering over the situation. His lord father had let Kagami in once, so perhaps he would let her in again… but with another human, and two other demons? The more Raidon was involved with Kagami, the more he felt his courage build. She filled a spot in his heart that no one else could. But what did she feel for him?
"Raidon," Kazuo said, "are we going to get to see your home?"
Raidon grinned at the quiet Kazuo. "Yes. Jaken, lead the way. And hurry up."
"You four wait here for a moment," Raidon told his companions, and slipped inside his mother's room. It hadn't taken them long to get to Sesshoumaru's domain.
"Mother?" Raidon said, and his heart took a heavy leap. Rin was lying on her futon, her skin pale and damp, her health faltering. He rushed to his dear mother's side, and gently took up her hand, holding it in both of his hands.
"R-Raidon?" she slowly turned her head. "Raidon… it's you. I was afraid you wouldn't make it back in time."
"Mother, where's Father? He should be caring for you," Raidon said.
"He doesn't know I'm sick. I've kept it from him, but I don't know if he… he can tell anyway."
"Mother, why are you keeping it from him?" Raidon asked her, shocked that she would try and do such a thing. Rin usually never kept anything from Sesshoumaru.
"Because… it'll be too much pain for him. He is not as strong… as you think, Raidon. Now, listen to me. There's not much time left—"
"Stop it," Raidon snapped at her. "I'm finding father now, and he'll help you. He can use the Tenseiga, mother, can't he?"
Rin sighed wearily. "But, just let me explain something to you, Raidon. Sesshoumaru is not at home, anyway. He was out looking for you."
"What?"
"Please, Raidon, listen to me," she begged him, and he consented silently. "Good. Now then, this involves Kagami a great deal. When she came here a few days ago, when she was horribly ill… I realized that she could not survive. I knew she couldn't die, however, because of you. I had to save her, and I knew only one way. There was a jewel that has been in my possession for quite some time. I held it to Kagami's throat, and she absorbed it inside her body. This is keeping her alive right now, for the time being."
"Mother, I… what is this jewel called?"
"It is called… the…" Rin started coughing.
"Don't talk!" Raidon panicked, holding her hand even tighter. "It's okay, mother. We're searching for a man called Iku, who can get the jewel out of Kagami without harming her."
Rin sighed. "Iku… oh, good. You can trust him. Do what he says. Tell him that Rin says… she says that he must find a way to split the jewel so that… that the dark one can't find it."
Raidon was extremely confused and irritated. "Mother, who is the dark one? What are you talking about?"
"You promise you'll tell Iku?" Rin asked, and Raidon nodded quickly. "Good. A night or so ago, I had a horrible dream. The dark one came to me and fed me poison in my dreams. Raidon… I am going to die. Don't say anything, you cannot prevent it. You must not let the dark one get a hold of the jewel. He will become too powerful then. Always travel together, and make sure that Kagami is always being watched."
"Mother, I can find a way to heal you. You'll be fine, I—"
Rin cut him off, sighing loudly. "No! Raidon, you cannot find a way. It is inevitable that I am going to die. Please, don't fight it. It's my time to go, anyway. I'll go join my family. They were killed when I was just a little girl, you know, when they died. But I found Sesshoumaru, and we made a family together. Raidon, please respect your father. He is a better person than you think he is."
"Mother…"
"One more thing, Raidon… don't lose your temper, when Kagami is in trouble. It is too dangerous…" she said, and went in a spasm of coughs.
Raidon held her hand, feeling frightened, and could feel his face turning white. His mother, the person he loved most in the whole world besides Kagami, was going to die. Sesshoumaru would be his only parent, and he hadn't even felt like a parent to Raidon in the past sixteen years of his life. It was horrifying to try and think what life would be like without Rin there with him, giving him advice in her wise words, and breaking the tension between father and son. She would die, leaving Raidon alone. Die. Rin would die.
Raidon could feel her strength faltering, and wished desperately that Sesshoumaru was here with his sword. Raidon could remember that…
"Mother, didn't Father bring you back to life once when you died… when you were a little girl? He healed you, and he can do it again. Please, let me go get him, Mother!"
"Raidon… my son, I want to go. I've done my job, and I have to leave now. Don't get your father. He couldn't bring me out of this death, anyway. The tenseiga is powerless against the dark one's poison. You don't know how powerful he really is."
Tears were spilling down Raidon's cheeks now. "M-mother, please… Father needs to be by you n-now. Please…"
Rin smiled, closing her eyes. She squeezed her only child's hand, and said, "No, Raidon, I want you and your father to become closer…" She let out a wavering sigh, and left go of Raidon's hand.
"Mother… please, mother," Raidon sniffed. "Mother?" He closely at Rin, whose eyes were closed. Touching her hand, he felt a shock of ice cold against his fingertips. Rin was dead.
1.3 I
Sad, isn't it? I can't believe I just killed Rin off. Boy, is Raidon going to be pissed off now. I wonder how Sesshoumaru will react to Rin's death in the next chapter. Then Raidon, Kagami and the gang will try and find Iku! Who is this guy, anyway, and is he human or demon? Maybe he's both, maybe he's neither. Maybe he doesn't even exist! Anywho, I hope people are reading this damn story… Hmph, I enjoy writing it anyways. Ja mata! (^_^)
Anzu's Explanation and Rin's Secret
Chapter Seven
Before Raidon could lay a finger on Makato, a flaming ball singed the air between them. Makato knew who threw the ball between them—it had to be Anzu. And he was right, for his sister jumped in between them, her body glowing with fire. She proceeded to kick Raidon in his face, and then Makato in his stomach.
"Makato, what the hell is wrong with you?!" She yelled at him, everyone around her very surprised at her actions (most of whom had no idea who she was). "I don't you not to do anything stupid!"
Makato, still trying to catch his breath, tried to reply. "I-I... d- in't… start it. H-he," He pointed at Raidon, "did."
"Oh," Anzu sighed.
"Anzu!" Shippou said shrilly. "What the hell are you doing here?!"
Anzu looked at him sheepishly. "We-ll… I kinda followed you. I was afraid that Makato might do—"
"What the fuck, Anzu?" Makato seemed to have recovered, and was now standing, and very angry with his sister. "You think you can just follow me around, watching me as if I was a fucking kid? What the hell is wrong with you! You can't control my life, you can't watch over me every second, and you can't treat me like you have been!!" Electricity sparked around him as fire was coiling from Anzu's toes to her fingers.
"Makato, please…" Anzu looked embaressed.
"Please? Please what, Anzu? All my life I've been mistreated! I haven't been as strong as my brothers were, I'm not that great a fighter, my morals are weak and pathetic, I've done all the wrongs that someone else actually has—" everyone was staring in shock at Raidon right now, and the others had come out of the hut—"I poisoned and almost killed Kagami, which I would never do! Hakami did that, not I! I was trying to protect her, and yet that damn half-demon son a bitch over there attacked me for something I didn't do. I'm sick of it now, and you're going to start treating me differently from now on! Differently… yes, very much so…" Makato mumbled to himself, sizzling with horrible rage. He ran off suddenly, over to the woods and disappeared.
"Makato!" Kagami ran after him, but was stopped by Raidon.
"Leave him alone, Kagami, I—"
"No, Raidon, let her go," Shippou said, letting Kagami free to go after Makato.
"Makato?" Kagami called. "Where are you, Makato?" She jumped as a twig snapped behind her. Turning around, she found who she was looking for.
"What do you want, Kagami?" He asked her testily.
"I was going to ask you the same thing…" She smiled wryly at him.
Makato blushed, holding his head high. "I-I wanted to see you, Kagami… I…"
Kagami didn't know what came over her, but she went up to Makato and threw her arms around him, holding him tight. "I'm glad you're not dead. I thought you were," she whispered. "Makato…"
He slid his arms carefully around her waist. "I'm glad you're not dead. I was horrified once I learned that Hakima had… poisoned you. Oh, Kagami." Makato held her head up and kissed her. It was an intense kiss, and the only part of her body that Kagami moved was her lips. She felt limp, but it was as if she was floating on a cloud with Makato's arms around her.
The kiss finally ended, Makato and Kagami both looking into each other's eyes. "I think I'm in love with you, Kagami."
Kagami blushed, not sure if she felt the same way. "Makato, please come back. Raidon won't attack you again if I stop him. It'll be all right, I promise. Okay?"
Makato nodded reluctantly. "Well, fine then. Let's go."
1 I
In a cave, there was a cold creature. His heart was made of ice, and he was seeking raw power. This creature, this demon, had been searching for a very long time… almost two decades by now. But he was growing stronger, almost strong enough to move around. As soon as his next victim came around—which would be very soon—he would be able to move. And he would be able to find the jewel, the power that he had been looking for. The girl held it, and he would take it from her, leaving her rotten. The other girl, however… she was trouble, along with the boy. But then, there were two boys now. Both very powerful, and he didn't know what trouble that they could cause. But the power grew more potent each day, cemented inside a tiny orb of rock… and it would belong to no one else but him.
1.1 I
"Makato, I'm afraid that I just didn't follow you today. Right after you and Shippou left," Anzu let out a wavering sigh, "I felt a great disturbance. I never told you this before, but our mother was a mystic demon. That is, she could tell the future and read peoples' lives. I know it sounds ridiculous, but she was one of the only demons left in the world with this kind of blood in her. I inherited the gift from her, and I can feel and see things like she did. I know you can too, but not as strongly."
"And what does this have to do with anything?" Makato asked unsteadily. He was uncomfortable with Kagami's parents, Raidon, and all of the other people listening to them.
"This disturbance I felt is not exactly good," Anzu said. "It involves everyone here, too. Kagami, Raidon… you're going to be involved in a great battle."
Makato snorted out loud, to which he received a scorching finger in his side. It was quite painful for him.
"Damn it, Anzu, what the hell was that for?" He barked at her.
"You don't believe me," she scowled. "In a minute you will, though. Like I said, all three of you are going to be in a great battle. Yes, Makato, you're one of the three. And there are one or two others along with you. Kagami, I have some bad news for you…"
"Huh? What d'ya mean, 'bad news'?" Kagami tensed, rushing into conclusions right away. "I mean, I'm not going to die, am I? I'm not gonna—"
"No, Kagami, I doubt that you are," Anzu interrupted the girl's rants. "I'm afraid that there's a dark presence looking for great power… and that great power, Kagami, is inside of you right now. I… I'm not quite sure what it is, but it has something to do with the… oh, what's it called? The shikon jewel. That's it, and—"
"What?!" Kagome, Inu-Yasha, Miroku, Sango, and Shippou all yelled out at the same time.
Anzu looked greatly annoyed. "I wish you would all shut up and just listen to me until I finish! Now please keep those mouths shut unless it's a matter of life and death. Now then, Kagami, this power has just been inserted inside you recently. If it is removed, you are going to die. But, there is someone who you can go to that can remove it without you dying. After you've done this, you must destroy the power. I'm afraid I don't know how to do that, and you'll have to figure it out on your own. Does everyone understand that, then?"
They all nodded, except for Kagome and Inu-Yasha, whose mouths were gaping open.
"Um, Mom, Dad?" Kagami waved her hand in front of their eyes. "It's all right, really. I mean, I don't get any of this at all, but we'll figure a way out to… uh, figure everything… out. Okay?"
"There's no way my little daughter is going to some nut to have this… this… power taken out of her!" Inu-Yasha yelled at Anzu. "How do you know it won't kill her if this guy does it, anyway? Who is he anyway?"
"I believe his name is… Iku. I've never met him, I don't know what he's like, but I've heard of him and where he lives."
"How do you know he even exists?" Sango asked.
"…" Anzu was silent. "W-well, I-I really… don't. Ah, heh heh."
"Oh, wonderful, dear sister, just wonderful," Makato sneered. "We're going to chase after someone who we don't even know exists. We don't even know if we can trust him. In fact, we don't even know if he can get whatever is in Kagami out of her without killing her!"
Anzu sighed. "I'm pretty sure he is alive, but I could be wrong. I know you can trust him, and I think he can help Kagami."
Kagami nodded. "Then tell us where he is. I want this thing out of me!"
"No, Kagami," Kagome put her hand on her daughter. "I don't know about this…"
"Kagome-san," Raidon said, "I will go with Kagami, of course, and protect her as best I possibly can. I swear that she will be safe with me."
Kagome nodded, looking somewhat dazed. Inu-Yasha took his wife's hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"Okay, Raidon. I'll take you and my daughter's word that you're nothing like Sesshoumaru. If she gets hurt, I'll kill you," Inu-Yasha informed the young half-demon.
"R-right…" Raidon sweated.
"Makato," Anzu said, "you're going with them." He didn't argue with her.
"Mother, I'm back! I have those herbs you wanted for Kagami…" Kazuo came inside, and noticed that everyone was silently staring at him. He also noticed the two newcomers. "Umm, did I miss something?"
"You're it!" Anzu suddenly cried out, pointing at Kazuo with a sudden but glorious revelation.
"Huh?" Kazuo looked shocked. "What did I do?"
"Boy, what is your name?" she asked him.
"Uhh… Kazuo."
"You are Sango's son, correct? Well, Sango, I'm afraid your son is the other one who is involved. Kazuo, you are going with Kagami and Raidon and Makato as well," Anzu announced.
"Uhh…" Kazuo was extremely confused. "Well, okay."
"You must leave as soon as possible. Take weapons, food, and a few extra garments, just in case."
They all stood up to get ready and started moving around, making preparations. Poor Kazuo turned to Shippou and whispered, "Where am I going?"
1.2 I
It was a day later, and the four chosen were walking in the direction that Anzu had pointed them in. One of the "adults" had been sent along with them, Shippou. There had been a very intense, nervous silence between Raidon and Makato since they had left. Kagami walked in between them, hoping that another scuffle could be prevented.
Kagami had just been thinking about Makato's feelings, when Raidon suddenly stopped, raising his arm in front of Kagami to stop her.
"What is it, Raidon?" Kagami asked curiously.
"I smell…" He mumbled.
Raidon jumped up over Kagami and Makato's head, landing behind some bushes. He stuck his hand inside of it, grabbing an unknown figure from inside it. Jumping back over to his cousin, Raidon held in his hands a small, ugly and green toad-like demon.
"Hello, Jaken," Raidon said a little too pleasantly. Jaken let out a little "eep!" of fear, shrinking down cowardly. "And what might you be doing here, stalking us? Has my father sent you? Or maybe you're just too curious for your own good."
"W-well, Lord Raidon," Jaken stuttered. "I-I… guess I'm t-t-too curious f- for my own good, eh?"
Raidon shook him, hard, and scowled at the little ugly creature. "Damn it, Jaken, don't play games with me! I don't need a baby-sitter, and you be sure to tell my father that when you come crashing into his room…"
"C-crashing, my Lord?" Jaken squeaked fearfully.
"Yes," Raidon grinned, showing his sharp teeth. "When I throw your from here over to his domain."
"B-but Lord Raidon—!"
"Or, if you prefer," Raidon drawled, "you could tell me what you're doing spying on us."
Jaken sighed, and decided to give in. "Well, my Lord Sesshoumaru wanted me to find out what you were doing… and since your mother was worried sick about you… he ordered me to lead you home."
"Well, go tell him that he can kiss his ass," Raidon dropped Jaken on the ground. "I'm not— um, wait a minute. What was that about my mother?"
"Miss Rin wants you home. She's literally worried sick about you. She's had a fever for a day or more. She keeps asking for you, Lord Raidon."
Raidon sighed, torn between his duty to save Kagami, and his duty to his mother. "Kagami, would you mind if I stopped to see my mother."
Kagami shook her head. "Of course not, and I'll go with you, too!"
"No, Kagami, I'll catch up with you later on, all right?" Raidon said irritably.
"Raidon, don't argue with me. Your mother took care of me and healed me, and I want to go and take care of her."
The young half-demon shifted uncomfortably, pondering over the situation. His lord father had let Kagami in once, so perhaps he would let her in again… but with another human, and two other demons? The more Raidon was involved with Kagami, the more he felt his courage build. She filled a spot in his heart that no one else could. But what did she feel for him?
"Raidon," Kazuo said, "are we going to get to see your home?"
Raidon grinned at the quiet Kazuo. "Yes. Jaken, lead the way. And hurry up."
"You four wait here for a moment," Raidon told his companions, and slipped inside his mother's room. It hadn't taken them long to get to Sesshoumaru's domain.
"Mother?" Raidon said, and his heart took a heavy leap. Rin was lying on her futon, her skin pale and damp, her health faltering. He rushed to his dear mother's side, and gently took up her hand, holding it in both of his hands.
"R-Raidon?" she slowly turned her head. "Raidon… it's you. I was afraid you wouldn't make it back in time."
"Mother, where's Father? He should be caring for you," Raidon said.
"He doesn't know I'm sick. I've kept it from him, but I don't know if he… he can tell anyway."
"Mother, why are you keeping it from him?" Raidon asked her, shocked that she would try and do such a thing. Rin usually never kept anything from Sesshoumaru.
"Because… it'll be too much pain for him. He is not as strong… as you think, Raidon. Now, listen to me. There's not much time left—"
"Stop it," Raidon snapped at her. "I'm finding father now, and he'll help you. He can use the Tenseiga, mother, can't he?"
Rin sighed wearily. "But, just let me explain something to you, Raidon. Sesshoumaru is not at home, anyway. He was out looking for you."
"What?"
"Please, Raidon, listen to me," she begged him, and he consented silently. "Good. Now then, this involves Kagami a great deal. When she came here a few days ago, when she was horribly ill… I realized that she could not survive. I knew she couldn't die, however, because of you. I had to save her, and I knew only one way. There was a jewel that has been in my possession for quite some time. I held it to Kagami's throat, and she absorbed it inside her body. This is keeping her alive right now, for the time being."
"Mother, I… what is this jewel called?"
"It is called… the…" Rin started coughing.
"Don't talk!" Raidon panicked, holding her hand even tighter. "It's okay, mother. We're searching for a man called Iku, who can get the jewel out of Kagami without harming her."
Rin sighed. "Iku… oh, good. You can trust him. Do what he says. Tell him that Rin says… she says that he must find a way to split the jewel so that… that the dark one can't find it."
Raidon was extremely confused and irritated. "Mother, who is the dark one? What are you talking about?"
"You promise you'll tell Iku?" Rin asked, and Raidon nodded quickly. "Good. A night or so ago, I had a horrible dream. The dark one came to me and fed me poison in my dreams. Raidon… I am going to die. Don't say anything, you cannot prevent it. You must not let the dark one get a hold of the jewel. He will become too powerful then. Always travel together, and make sure that Kagami is always being watched."
"Mother, I can find a way to heal you. You'll be fine, I—"
Rin cut him off, sighing loudly. "No! Raidon, you cannot find a way. It is inevitable that I am going to die. Please, don't fight it. It's my time to go, anyway. I'll go join my family. They were killed when I was just a little girl, you know, when they died. But I found Sesshoumaru, and we made a family together. Raidon, please respect your father. He is a better person than you think he is."
"Mother…"
"One more thing, Raidon… don't lose your temper, when Kagami is in trouble. It is too dangerous…" she said, and went in a spasm of coughs.
Raidon held her hand, feeling frightened, and could feel his face turning white. His mother, the person he loved most in the whole world besides Kagami, was going to die. Sesshoumaru would be his only parent, and he hadn't even felt like a parent to Raidon in the past sixteen years of his life. It was horrifying to try and think what life would be like without Rin there with him, giving him advice in her wise words, and breaking the tension between father and son. She would die, leaving Raidon alone. Die. Rin would die.
Raidon could feel her strength faltering, and wished desperately that Sesshoumaru was here with his sword. Raidon could remember that…
"Mother, didn't Father bring you back to life once when you died… when you were a little girl? He healed you, and he can do it again. Please, let me go get him, Mother!"
"Raidon… my son, I want to go. I've done my job, and I have to leave now. Don't get your father. He couldn't bring me out of this death, anyway. The tenseiga is powerless against the dark one's poison. You don't know how powerful he really is."
Tears were spilling down Raidon's cheeks now. "M-mother, please… Father needs to be by you n-now. Please…"
Rin smiled, closing her eyes. She squeezed her only child's hand, and said, "No, Raidon, I want you and your father to become closer…" She let out a wavering sigh, and left go of Raidon's hand.
"Mother… please, mother," Raidon sniffed. "Mother?" He closely at Rin, whose eyes were closed. Touching her hand, he felt a shock of ice cold against his fingertips. Rin was dead.
1.3 I
Sad, isn't it? I can't believe I just killed Rin off. Boy, is Raidon going to be pissed off now. I wonder how Sesshoumaru will react to Rin's death in the next chapter. Then Raidon, Kagami and the gang will try and find Iku! Who is this guy, anyway, and is he human or demon? Maybe he's both, maybe he's neither. Maybe he doesn't even exist! Anywho, I hope people are reading this damn story… Hmph, I enjoy writing it anyways. Ja mata! (^_^)