"Simply Love Me"

Chapter 2

The Secret Spot

Sesshoumaru flew high above the clouds and mountainous terrain, searching for the secret spot he'd always come to think alone. He couldn't think straight from the tumultuous emotions inside his heart and breathed in the arctic air to help clear his pounding head. He located the spot by a sharp jagged cliff sticking out from the side of a mountain. A few pine trees grew nearby and he descended onto the cliff, still troubled by what had happened earlier. He sat down heavily and stretched his legs over the edge. A drop of cold sweat trickled down his face and he wiped it carelessly with his sharp-clawed hand. His golden eyes darkened and his pressed his hands against his face, uttering a sharp animal cry filled with pain. A small amount of black birds flew from the trees in fright at the appalling sound. Resting his elbows on his knees, he bent deep in thought, his hands beginning to shake.

Rin, you must think me so callous, so cold and uncaring. This face I put to the world, it's only a mask. I. I'm afraid that if I get to soft or caring, I would loose the respect of the people, if I open my heart, the people I love would just leave me. They always do. My mother, she died horribly. My father fell in love and remarried, to a human. I think he never really loved my mother; it was an arranged marriage. He died soon after also. Inuyasha, my half brother, I've realized that it wasn't his fault, being born a halfling. His wife Kagome is nice and affectionate, to my surprise. My father must have loved that human woman very much; to make a sword designed to protect her and humans before he went away. Humans, they have such big open hearts, and compassion for others than themselves. If I let known that you mean so much too me, they'll find all kinds of resources to take you away. I'll never see you again.I have to stay away from you, from people.all these years that you've been growing up, I left you in the care of Inuyasha and his wife. They've looked after you well and you have grown close to your nephews and niece. Jaken and I took a time-consuming journey, to find the long lost treasures and secrets of ancient Japan. We were successful and brought home many riches and possessions. They have added immensely to my already massive wealth. The first day of spring this I decided to come back and get you, for my travels have ended and because of the raging warfare from neighboring clans. I do not want you to be in the midst of it all. Of course, you begged me to take Inuyasha, Kagome and their children with us. He is my brother, after all, so I had to agree. And here we are, the whole family together on these quiet mountaintops. I have to keep my distance, even if it means I receive your hatred. I don't want the pain, and loss to happen once more.

"Yo, Sesshoumaru!"

He lifted his head in surprise and turned back to see who was the intruder. It was Inuyasha, his half youkai brother crouching behind him.

Sesshoumaru frowned, "How did you find this place?"

"Heh, I was hunting in the woods and saw you flying so I decided to follow you." He grinned mischievously and his ears flickered. "So what are you doing here?

"I should ask the same for you."

"Hey, I said it first!"

Seeshoumaru sighed wearily. "I came here for some quiet thinking time, until I was rudely interrupted." He bared some of his teeth at Inuyasha.

"Hey, hey! I just wanted to know where you were going when supper time is so near." Inuyasha backed off, laughing. "No need to get angry about it!"

"You've changed, Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru commented as he surveyed him. "Eight years ago, you were so withdrawn, tormented, and angry at the world. Now you're laughing a lot, happy and trustful."

"Yeah, since I first met Kagome, I've changed quite a bit. She's helped me so much to become a better person. I'm lucky to have her in my life. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I just wish I could have realized the extent of my feelings for her before it was too late. That last fight with Naraku, she basically died. I. I was so terrified and lost. I had never felt that way before, like there was nothing I could do. When she finally came back to me, there was such joy and happiness; I never wanted to let her go ever again. I put her through so much pain and sadness; it's a wonder she still wants to be with me. But that's Kagome for you, always understanding and forgiving." He smiled wistfully, gazing up at the sky, his eyes dreamy.

"What about Kikyou? Do you still have lingering feelings for her?"

"Well, I don't think about her anymore these days. We reached a truss that day Naraku was vanquished. Kikyou, who was so full of anguished that her life was taken away short, that I loved another, finally understood that she could not take Kagome's place, even if she were to be revived to full life again. My heart would and will always belong to Kagome. Kikyou gave Kagome back the part of her soul that she had stolen and passed away in peace. There was no more loathing and angst; she's finally resting in her rightful place. If I do think of her and that's rarely, I picture a serene and serious miko, who feels that it's her whole destiny to protect the Shikon no Tama from preying demons."

"You've always been one to feel guilty Inuyasha, is that why you kept choosing Kikyou over Kagome?"

"Yeah. She was the first human to befriend me, to care, besides my mother. I remember sitting in this lone tree, seeing her walk by me, reveling in her image, this beautiful serene miko. I tried to steal the Shikon no Tama from her, but failed. I was intrigued so I starting following her around everywhere and we developed this kind of relationship. I.I felt loved, but I guess we just weren't meant to be together. She was very lonely, she had the respect of the villagers, but they revered as this untouchable goddess, sort of, and left her alone, she longed for a normal life. Kikyou wanted to experience life's fullest and I wanted to become full youkai. She wanted me to change to full human and come live her. The Shikon no Tama would be purified and she could finally live a normal life. She wanted me to change, but Kagome wanted me to stay just the way I was. I don't think it was really love that I felt for Kikyou, rather it was like adoration. Loving someone means you accept the good and bad that comes with them and stick by their side no matter what. Kikyou couldn't do that. When I learned that she died, I felt guilty at not being there to protect her. In the end, I found out that I just couldn't live with guilt all my life. I moved on to better things."

"I'm glad you did, Inuyasha. It has made you a better person overall."

"Yeah, me too."

Sesshoumaru raised an amused eyebrow when he saw the necklace around Inuyasha's neck. "I see that she still has that "Sit" spell on you."

Inuyasha chuckled, "Yeah, I guess she feels that she needs to discipline me sometimes." His stomach rumbled and he sniffed the air hungrily. "Say, it's beginning to get dark. Let's go back and eat. I smell fried fish."

"I'll stay here for a while. You go on."

"Come on, man. Aren't you a little hungry?"

"Yes, but I need some thinking time."

Inuyasha slapped the ground in impatience. "You brood to much you know? Relax and have some fun. You've been here only a tad over a week and you're distancing yourself already."

"Fine."

"Great! Last one back is a rotten egg!" He laughingly punched the air in triumph and accelerated down the mountain ahead.

"Hmmm.if he thinks he can beat me." Sesshoumaru's feet lifted off the cliff and sped up into the air. The sun was a huge red ball setting over the orange horizon. He felt refreshed as the cold night air blew across his hot face. Below he could see Inuyasha rushing by the trees and leaping across thick branches, nearing the immense palace.

He landed on the steps of the front gate a few seconds before Inuyasaha came. Sesshoumaru teased, "Tired yet brother?"

Inuyasha, panting a little, replied, "Not fair, you can fly." He grinned and ran up the steps to greet the guard demons. "Let's eat, I'm famished!"

Sesshoumaru followed him, a slight trepidation ebbing its way into his chest. How was he going to explain to Rin about the incident this morning? I guess I'll worry about that later, I am starting to feel hungry.

Author's Note: This story switches from time to time of other character's view points, mainly Rin's and Sesshoumaru's. Thanks for all the nice reviews, to my surprise. You make me want to continue with the story. I'll try to get the next chapter up soon.