Disclaimer: these are not my original characters. I merely borrowed them
for my own little fantasy. mwuahahaha. eh hem. Inu Yasha and all
characters included are the sole property of the great creator herself,
Rumiko Takahashi.
some japanese notes: nee-san: big sister aho- jerk, dumbass, general derogatory term.
He looked at the youkai hunter coolly, noting how her black suit was now darkened from the alarming tint of Rin's blood.
She was slipping. By the smell of her blood she had to be nearing death; and for a moment that unnerved him. He had already used Tenseiga on her once. He didn't know if it could be used again. He had never tried it. And even if she did die, was he willing to try it again?
For a brief moment, he wanted to take her himself, the old protective habits of his, he'd been trying to kick. But she was out of his hands now, he argued to himself. She was better off in the hands of those humans. They would take care of her. Or at least they'd try.
It was no business of his what happened to her anymore. He had only come for a fight. His business here was done. It was time for him to go. He turned quickly and walked the other way.
He had had his fight, he firmly reminded himself. He no longer needed to stick around.
So why did he find himself resisting to turn around? The image of her smiling face came back to him.
He felt an odd stirring inside. kuso! Disgusted by his own sense of sentimentality- a dangerous weakness in his book, he struck out hard, felling the closest tree. Regaining his composure, he straightened himself and continued forward.
Away, he couldn't help remarking, from her.
Sango laid Rin down on the cottage floor. Kohaku limped in behind her. She quickly grabbed anything to bandage her, pressing it to her back to try to stop the bleeding. The bandages soaked up the blood like a sponge. Sango grabbed more, holding up RIn so she could wrap the whole bandage around her body. She had to put pressure on it. It was the only way.
Rin still hadn't stirred. Her black hair fell limply in her face, the dark contrast bringing out the paleness of her now chalky white skin. Sango began to panic. Her pulse was so faint. Finishing with the bandages, all she could do was keep her warm and wait.
Kohaku sat in a corner tending his own leg. He looked at Sango gravely.
"Do you think she's going to make it?"
Sango looked down at the sleeping Rin. "I don't know. I can't do much else for her."
Kohaku looked at the sleeping Rin. Despite the severity of her wounded state, there were traces of a smile on her lips. It puzzled him for a minute before he remembered who Sango had said saved them. Kohaku grabbed a long wooden stick. Slowly, he raised himself up. Sango looked up at him, alarmed.
"Kohaku, you should'nt be putting pressure on that leg. Hey! Where are you going?!" Kohaku hobbled back out the door. It was a struggle, but not as badly as before.
"I'm getting help."
Sesshoumaru, despite repeated reminders to himself that he should be moving, was quietly sitting beneath a tree. He had sent Jaken to find himself some food, enjoying the peace and freedom from his overzealous servant's questions. He had no desire to discuss anything. Did Jaken really expect him to say anything?
Aho.
The rustle of leaves and the growing din of Jaken's incessant rambling caught his attention. He would have passed it off as Jaken talking to himself again had he not caught the scent of a human alongside him.
Kohaku.
"What do you want?" Jaken quieted. Back turned to them, Sesshoumaru continued to stare at nothing.
Kohaku took a deep breath, took one brave step forward, before speaking up.
"Ano. . . it's about Rin."
Kohaku waited for Sesshoumaru to reply, but received no response. Understanding it to be an ok, he continued.
"You must know she is badly injured. Nee-san is trying to help her, but she's already lost a lot of blood. The wound is deep, . . we. . . we don't know if we can stop the bleeding in time."
Sesshoumaru turned around, his stone face concealing his unease. He already knew this. He had seen what happened. The image of her bleeding self smiling was still strong in his mind.
"I said what do you want."
Kohaku looked up startled before lowering his eyes to the ground. "I. . . " he sighed, "I don't think she is going to make it." Silence. Not even Jaken interfered. "If that happens. . . I came to ask that you revive her."
Sesshoumaru gave him an appraising look.
"Why?"
Kohaku bit back his surprise. It was certainly not the question he expected.
Why? Kohaku thought to himself. Why? Did he even have to ask that question.
"Because she deserves to live!" Kohaku couldn't mask the slight edge of anger underlying those words. Kohaku composed himself. "Because she's never done anything that's made her deserve to die."
hmph. Sesshoumaru turned around again. This boy obviously cared about her. It strangely annoyed him.
Sesshoumaru gracely rose to his feet and pulled Tenseiga from his scabbard. He looked at Kohaku, that cool, penetrating stare no one could ever quite read.
"I've already used Tenseiga on her once. I'm not sure if it would work a second time."
"Oh." Kohaku's brows furrowed in what seemed surprised dismay.
"I've never tried reviving a human twice before." Not a rejection, merely a cooly stated fact. Sesshoumaru turned his head. Kohaku was silent. Sesshoumaru paused a moment, waiting for him to respond. Finally impatient, he turned around.
"Wait." Sesshoumaru looked back at Kohaku. Not a single emotion was displayed. "What if. . ." Kohaku grew hesitant, "what if you were. . . to try it. . . on me?" Kohaku looked him straight in the eye. Despite an obvious uncertainty, there was no fear there. Sesshoumaru realized how serious he was.
Sesshoumaru grinned slightly. He really DIDNT know if it would work or not. But he knew that Tenseiga was a sword that could not kill.
Kohaku didn't even see it coming. Before he could blink, the sword lashed out at him. The world faded into darkness.
Slowly, carefully he peeked an eye open. He saw Jaken's green face peering at him curiously. Sesshoumaru stood calmly, seemingly disinterested, gazing in another direction. Kohaku slowly sat up. Disoriented, he slowly remembered what had happened.
"It worked!" Kohaku got to his feet. "So will you help her now? It worked!" Sesshoumaru's cool stare dampened his enthusiasm, but a slight nod of his head and Kohaku felt enthusiastic once again.
"One condition." Kohaku paused. "I have no desire to go into the village. If you need me, bring her into the forest. If not, you can keep her there. I'll be gone by morning."
Kohaku's flinched with surprise.
"Understood."
Kohaku turned to leave. He walked slowly towards the trees but hesitated just beyond their reach. "You really intend on leaving her don't you?" It was more of a statement than a question, touching slightly upon a note of wonder (or was it disbelief?). Slightly angered by the thought, he waited for a reply. Not that he truly expected one. . .
Without a word, Sesshoumaru walked away.
Nearly an hour had passed. Kohaku sat by his sister silently, watching Rin for any sign of change. He rubbed his sister's shoulder gently. She hadn't moved from this spot since he'd left.
Kaede sat by the fire mixing a poultice steadily. She had given up on trying to convince Sango to leave long enough to simply change out of her blood soaked clothes, let alone get some sleep.
None of them would sleep tonight.
Sesshoumaru waited. He felt no anxiousness. Only annoyance as Jaken pranced around running his mouth off on every possible outcome of the situation. He picked up a nice sized pebble, aimed, and bullseye! Jaken flopped down, slightly dazed, but primarily taken aback. Finally realizing his mistake, he promptly shut up.
Sesshoumaru knew Jaken only reacted this way when he was worried. He could understand the worry, though he was confident that no matter what happened, she'd still end up alive in the end. Alive, . . only not with him.
He hadn't realized how affectionate he'd grown for her until she left. As much as he'd denied it, as much as her humanity still disgusted him, . . . but did it?
He remembered how he held her the day she was resurrected. He had been heady with the discovery of the extent of Tenseiga's power, delighted that it could revive someone so far into death. But he still vividly remembered. . . the tiny body that fit so easily in his arm. He had watched as the color returned to her cheeks, the flesh turned warm, fighting off the chill of death. And then she opened those big brown eyes and smiled at him, the same sincere smile that somehow wormed its way through him.
He looked down at his sword and shook his head in disbelief, disgusted by the irony of the situation. His father had given him this sword to teach him. He could only imagine the way his father would laugh if he could see him now.
Was this the lesson his father had wanted him to learn?
He could never understand how his bastard half brother could give up his power after finally fully mastering the sword. He could never understand how he could stoop to become a full human when he had the chance to become a youkai.
But now he thought he could. Inu Yasha had succeeded. All of his companions were still well and alive. He himself had run off with that priestess to her world, the same girl Sesshoumaru had often chided him for falling in love with. But Inu Yasha was content. He didn't need the power because he had found a greater satisfaction in protecting those that mattered.
Never had Sesshoumaru felt there was someone he needed to protect. Never. . . until Rin.
He had simply never realized it before.
No. . .that wasn't right. . . . He had never let himself admit it before. He'd been blinded so long by his prejudice of humans that though he noted her as being an exception, he'd never allowed himself to see her beyond anything than a human.
Just then, the light peaking on the horizon grew brighter. Enwrapped in his own mental struggles, he failed to notice the slowly brightening tint of morning light.
He slowly rose to his feet, staring towards the direction of the village.
He smirked before turning to walk back towards the forest.
Looks like she was a better fighter than I gave her credit for, he thought, slightly disappointed.
He had finally realized what his father had wanted to teach him. But now that he was ready to come to her rescue, she didn't need him. She had pulled out on her own or rather, with the help of her new human friends. They could protect her now.
"Jaken."
"Hai Sesshoumaru sama."
"Let's go."
Jaken looked back towards the village with alarm.
"Ha. . hai, Sesshoumaru sama."
Sesshoumaru still had his pride. He would leave her here as he said he would.
Acknowledging his affection was futile. She was still a human after all.
He couldn't help but reflect on it with an inward sigh.
Sesshoumaru was very familiar with disappointment, but he had never known it could spark pain. Is this what they called sadness?
But why feel sad? She was in good hands now. No longer hurt by him, no longer in danger from all their unusual travels, she was free to settle down and find the security and happiness she deserved.
No. . . it was better this way.
He had learned that some things were always worth fighting for. He snuck one last look towards the direction of the village. While some things, no matter how much he wanted them, were better off left alone.
The End
Alright, before you get out the tomatoes, let me explain. trying to stay true to the characters, this is the ending I saw as most probable, considering it is Sesshoumaru. I tend to like sad endings (yes I'm twisted that way), but I also know that some of you are probably outraged by this point, particularly those hard core Rin/Sess advocates. Therefore, rest assured, there is going to be an alternative ending. So if you like the sad ending, cool, thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed it. For those of you absolutely disappointed, or frankly livid, continue on to the next chapter, which will continue directly from this one.
=)
Just a note to those of you who decide to read both endings, which do you prefer? I've been debating that myself so any feedback is greatly welcome =)
a last note- thanks for reading my first fan fic =) anyone interested in a sequel?
some japanese notes: nee-san: big sister aho- jerk, dumbass, general derogatory term.
He looked at the youkai hunter coolly, noting how her black suit was now darkened from the alarming tint of Rin's blood.
She was slipping. By the smell of her blood she had to be nearing death; and for a moment that unnerved him. He had already used Tenseiga on her once. He didn't know if it could be used again. He had never tried it. And even if she did die, was he willing to try it again?
For a brief moment, he wanted to take her himself, the old protective habits of his, he'd been trying to kick. But she was out of his hands now, he argued to himself. She was better off in the hands of those humans. They would take care of her. Or at least they'd try.
It was no business of his what happened to her anymore. He had only come for a fight. His business here was done. It was time for him to go. He turned quickly and walked the other way.
He had had his fight, he firmly reminded himself. He no longer needed to stick around.
So why did he find himself resisting to turn around? The image of her smiling face came back to him.
He felt an odd stirring inside. kuso! Disgusted by his own sense of sentimentality- a dangerous weakness in his book, he struck out hard, felling the closest tree. Regaining his composure, he straightened himself and continued forward.
Away, he couldn't help remarking, from her.
Sango laid Rin down on the cottage floor. Kohaku limped in behind her. She quickly grabbed anything to bandage her, pressing it to her back to try to stop the bleeding. The bandages soaked up the blood like a sponge. Sango grabbed more, holding up RIn so she could wrap the whole bandage around her body. She had to put pressure on it. It was the only way.
Rin still hadn't stirred. Her black hair fell limply in her face, the dark contrast bringing out the paleness of her now chalky white skin. Sango began to panic. Her pulse was so faint. Finishing with the bandages, all she could do was keep her warm and wait.
Kohaku sat in a corner tending his own leg. He looked at Sango gravely.
"Do you think she's going to make it?"
Sango looked down at the sleeping Rin. "I don't know. I can't do much else for her."
Kohaku looked at the sleeping Rin. Despite the severity of her wounded state, there were traces of a smile on her lips. It puzzled him for a minute before he remembered who Sango had said saved them. Kohaku grabbed a long wooden stick. Slowly, he raised himself up. Sango looked up at him, alarmed.
"Kohaku, you should'nt be putting pressure on that leg. Hey! Where are you going?!" Kohaku hobbled back out the door. It was a struggle, but not as badly as before.
"I'm getting help."
Sesshoumaru, despite repeated reminders to himself that he should be moving, was quietly sitting beneath a tree. He had sent Jaken to find himself some food, enjoying the peace and freedom from his overzealous servant's questions. He had no desire to discuss anything. Did Jaken really expect him to say anything?
Aho.
The rustle of leaves and the growing din of Jaken's incessant rambling caught his attention. He would have passed it off as Jaken talking to himself again had he not caught the scent of a human alongside him.
Kohaku.
"What do you want?" Jaken quieted. Back turned to them, Sesshoumaru continued to stare at nothing.
Kohaku took a deep breath, took one brave step forward, before speaking up.
"Ano. . . it's about Rin."
Kohaku waited for Sesshoumaru to reply, but received no response. Understanding it to be an ok, he continued.
"You must know she is badly injured. Nee-san is trying to help her, but she's already lost a lot of blood. The wound is deep, . . we. . . we don't know if we can stop the bleeding in time."
Sesshoumaru turned around, his stone face concealing his unease. He already knew this. He had seen what happened. The image of her bleeding self smiling was still strong in his mind.
"I said what do you want."
Kohaku looked up startled before lowering his eyes to the ground. "I. . . " he sighed, "I don't think she is going to make it." Silence. Not even Jaken interfered. "If that happens. . . I came to ask that you revive her."
Sesshoumaru gave him an appraising look.
"Why?"
Kohaku bit back his surprise. It was certainly not the question he expected.
Why? Kohaku thought to himself. Why? Did he even have to ask that question.
"Because she deserves to live!" Kohaku couldn't mask the slight edge of anger underlying those words. Kohaku composed himself. "Because she's never done anything that's made her deserve to die."
hmph. Sesshoumaru turned around again. This boy obviously cared about her. It strangely annoyed him.
Sesshoumaru gracely rose to his feet and pulled Tenseiga from his scabbard. He looked at Kohaku, that cool, penetrating stare no one could ever quite read.
"I've already used Tenseiga on her once. I'm not sure if it would work a second time."
"Oh." Kohaku's brows furrowed in what seemed surprised dismay.
"I've never tried reviving a human twice before." Not a rejection, merely a cooly stated fact. Sesshoumaru turned his head. Kohaku was silent. Sesshoumaru paused a moment, waiting for him to respond. Finally impatient, he turned around.
"Wait." Sesshoumaru looked back at Kohaku. Not a single emotion was displayed. "What if. . ." Kohaku grew hesitant, "what if you were. . . to try it. . . on me?" Kohaku looked him straight in the eye. Despite an obvious uncertainty, there was no fear there. Sesshoumaru realized how serious he was.
Sesshoumaru grinned slightly. He really DIDNT know if it would work or not. But he knew that Tenseiga was a sword that could not kill.
Kohaku didn't even see it coming. Before he could blink, the sword lashed out at him. The world faded into darkness.
Slowly, carefully he peeked an eye open. He saw Jaken's green face peering at him curiously. Sesshoumaru stood calmly, seemingly disinterested, gazing in another direction. Kohaku slowly sat up. Disoriented, he slowly remembered what had happened.
"It worked!" Kohaku got to his feet. "So will you help her now? It worked!" Sesshoumaru's cool stare dampened his enthusiasm, but a slight nod of his head and Kohaku felt enthusiastic once again.
"One condition." Kohaku paused. "I have no desire to go into the village. If you need me, bring her into the forest. If not, you can keep her there. I'll be gone by morning."
Kohaku's flinched with surprise.
"Understood."
Kohaku turned to leave. He walked slowly towards the trees but hesitated just beyond their reach. "You really intend on leaving her don't you?" It was more of a statement than a question, touching slightly upon a note of wonder (or was it disbelief?). Slightly angered by the thought, he waited for a reply. Not that he truly expected one. . .
Without a word, Sesshoumaru walked away.
Nearly an hour had passed. Kohaku sat by his sister silently, watching Rin for any sign of change. He rubbed his sister's shoulder gently. She hadn't moved from this spot since he'd left.
Kaede sat by the fire mixing a poultice steadily. She had given up on trying to convince Sango to leave long enough to simply change out of her blood soaked clothes, let alone get some sleep.
None of them would sleep tonight.
Sesshoumaru waited. He felt no anxiousness. Only annoyance as Jaken pranced around running his mouth off on every possible outcome of the situation. He picked up a nice sized pebble, aimed, and bullseye! Jaken flopped down, slightly dazed, but primarily taken aback. Finally realizing his mistake, he promptly shut up.
Sesshoumaru knew Jaken only reacted this way when he was worried. He could understand the worry, though he was confident that no matter what happened, she'd still end up alive in the end. Alive, . . only not with him.
He hadn't realized how affectionate he'd grown for her until she left. As much as he'd denied it, as much as her humanity still disgusted him, . . . but did it?
He remembered how he held her the day she was resurrected. He had been heady with the discovery of the extent of Tenseiga's power, delighted that it could revive someone so far into death. But he still vividly remembered. . . the tiny body that fit so easily in his arm. He had watched as the color returned to her cheeks, the flesh turned warm, fighting off the chill of death. And then she opened those big brown eyes and smiled at him, the same sincere smile that somehow wormed its way through him.
He looked down at his sword and shook his head in disbelief, disgusted by the irony of the situation. His father had given him this sword to teach him. He could only imagine the way his father would laugh if he could see him now.
Was this the lesson his father had wanted him to learn?
He could never understand how his bastard half brother could give up his power after finally fully mastering the sword. He could never understand how he could stoop to become a full human when he had the chance to become a youkai.
But now he thought he could. Inu Yasha had succeeded. All of his companions were still well and alive. He himself had run off with that priestess to her world, the same girl Sesshoumaru had often chided him for falling in love with. But Inu Yasha was content. He didn't need the power because he had found a greater satisfaction in protecting those that mattered.
Never had Sesshoumaru felt there was someone he needed to protect. Never. . . until Rin.
He had simply never realized it before.
No. . .that wasn't right. . . . He had never let himself admit it before. He'd been blinded so long by his prejudice of humans that though he noted her as being an exception, he'd never allowed himself to see her beyond anything than a human.
Just then, the light peaking on the horizon grew brighter. Enwrapped in his own mental struggles, he failed to notice the slowly brightening tint of morning light.
He slowly rose to his feet, staring towards the direction of the village.
He smirked before turning to walk back towards the forest.
Looks like she was a better fighter than I gave her credit for, he thought, slightly disappointed.
He had finally realized what his father had wanted to teach him. But now that he was ready to come to her rescue, she didn't need him. She had pulled out on her own or rather, with the help of her new human friends. They could protect her now.
"Jaken."
"Hai Sesshoumaru sama."
"Let's go."
Jaken looked back towards the village with alarm.
"Ha. . hai, Sesshoumaru sama."
Sesshoumaru still had his pride. He would leave her here as he said he would.
Acknowledging his affection was futile. She was still a human after all.
He couldn't help but reflect on it with an inward sigh.
Sesshoumaru was very familiar with disappointment, but he had never known it could spark pain. Is this what they called sadness?
But why feel sad? She was in good hands now. No longer hurt by him, no longer in danger from all their unusual travels, she was free to settle down and find the security and happiness she deserved.
No. . . it was better this way.
He had learned that some things were always worth fighting for. He snuck one last look towards the direction of the village. While some things, no matter how much he wanted them, were better off left alone.
The End
Alright, before you get out the tomatoes, let me explain. trying to stay true to the characters, this is the ending I saw as most probable, considering it is Sesshoumaru. I tend to like sad endings (yes I'm twisted that way), but I also know that some of you are probably outraged by this point, particularly those hard core Rin/Sess advocates. Therefore, rest assured, there is going to be an alternative ending. So if you like the sad ending, cool, thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed it. For those of you absolutely disappointed, or frankly livid, continue on to the next chapter, which will continue directly from this one.
=)
Just a note to those of you who decide to read both endings, which do you prefer? I've been debating that myself so any feedback is greatly welcome =)
a last note- thanks for reading my first fan fic =) anyone interested in a sequel?