Solace.
Dedicated to Ronin.
I don't own Inuyasha, or Ronin, or Sinai. They are owned by the dude who wrote Inuyasha (forgive me, his name slipped my mind), Ronin (AKA Pyroxolotl), and Sinai_Winterwolf. I don't own the Red Dragon Inn (that honor belongs to Leonoto). The chair-mage owned by my brother.
alright, some explination is in order. This isn't a sequal to Guardian Angel, per se.. it expands on the story. The first bits are flashback, what went through Kor's mind when she was about to commit seppuku. Alrighty, here goes!
To end it all...
Never to return, to say goodbye...
Never to see them again...
Never to see HIM again...
She remembered the first time they met, the three of them: they met on the same fateful night, in the same fate-filled Inn. The Red Dragon Inn.
****************************** Flashback **********************************************
She sits there, alone, or feeling like it. Other patrons came and went, appearing suddanly and dissapearing in a flash, scaring her out of her mind. She knew none of them well. She watches with passing intrest as some poor mute girl was doted on by a caring cat-thing. No, no, the girl was a cat-thing too. Korunue sighs, watching everything... wishing someone would care about her so... wishing that the was carefree, as in youger days.... she needed companionship desprately. She sat there, watching, listening, thinking... her headache had gone, luckily, but her back throbbed painfully every now and then. It had been hit by a chair commanded by a chair-mage. Yes, a chair-mage... she swore revenge on him. A woman was there, asking Moe, the barkeep, for a stiff drink. Kornue shies away from her as well, initially. The woman asked about the girl, and the man seemed loathe to trust her. The woman lowers her head.
" I used to be much like you...Not trusting anyone. I had good reason. To trust someone was to let someone know what I am. If they knew what I was, then I would become very vulnerable.If the right people were to know what I am, then they could hunt me down and kill me. I am a monster in some people's eyes. They would sooner kill me than know that I meant no one in this world any harm..."
Korunue pricks her ears toward to woman. So like her! So untrusting, so voulnerable, and yet... so strong. She didn't cower in the corner whenever a stranger entered. Korunue wishes, just for a moment, that she could be that strong. Fast forward a bit. The woman turns into a wolf, making Korunue a tad jealous. She couldn't become a dog, like a full youkai could... she sighs, half-wanting to get the wolf's attention, half not wanting to be eaten. The wolf, to her suprixe, lays on her belly, wimpering, then turns over, showing her belly in a submissive guesture. Korunue lowers her ears in a "don't-eat-me" kinda guesture, wimpering a little and hunching down. It was her standard response to everything.
A voice, sweet and kind, in her mind: *I'm not going to eat you. That's what the people who think I'm a monster would like to think...I'm no' a cannibal. I am verra respectable of prey animals, as well. No' that you're a prey animal.* it adds, hurridly, in that charming accent.
Korunue jumps, looking about suspiously... "who.... " she says, puzzled... "look, no offense... I have.... reason.... to be timid.." reason like getting jumped by the same demon twice. That HURT! She almost DIED! She shakes her head to stop thinking about it.
* You're no' m' prey. And I understand. *
Korunue lowers her head, ears drooping. "I never can do this right..." she murmers. She goes back to her thoughts.... "maybe I should..." she mutters. She had been thinking, puzzling, all night on this. Too much, in fact: thinking could be her downfall.
The wolf-woman pricks her ears up, looking serious *What?* She looks concerned, sitting up, looking somewhat dog-like.
Korunue whispers, to herself mostly, "cut off my ears.". She had forgotten that someone else was there in the room, having been alone with her thoughts for so long. She took a dagger from her pack and looked it over, fondling her furry dog's ears with her free hand. If she did so, she might be able to pass for human... and thus would have nothing to fear from the general populace. Youkai were few and far between in these regions, and she could settle down, live a nice life.
The wolf whimpers, yelping at the thought *Dinna cut off your ears...Ye canna hear....Such wonderful parts of a canine's form. Tis what makes a canine.* True, true... if she wanted to be canine. The hearing thing, though, might be tricky...
Korunue shakes her head, tears forming. "I don't want to be canine.. I want to be human... I AM human... HUMAN..." she sobs to herself. She tries to delude herself into thinking she was human, knowing full well she sounded pathetic.
The wolf grows sad, lowering her head. *I can be neither...What I am will ne'er allow me to be human, nor be a wolf...*
Korunue keeps her head down, tears flowing silently. "who am I kidding... I'm no human... and I'm not a youkai.. I'm just a freak. A stupid, worthless freak. " It is what she has always been told, and recently has come to belive. And beliveing was halfway to changing: because you change, inside, when you belive something with all your heart.
The wolf, whimpering, stands on all four feet *Ye're no' a freak. If tha' were true, then so would I be.*
Korunue cries harder. "worthless.... save to... her." the "her" is said with loathing, sheer hatred of the woman who possesed her many, many times in her short stay, the one her mother knew, and her father knew (and loved) when she was alive: Kikyo. "She probably finds me useful.... just another body to posses, to wreak havoc... " she breaks out of her thoughts to realize that Sinai was there as well. "no.... we are not alike. You are... you. I am just an unhappy accident, a being never meant to be made. A freak."
*I miss being a normal person, lass. When m' friends found out I was a werewolf, they shunned me. I was a demon to them, a horrible cannibalistic demon who feasted on their blood--at least, that's what their parents told them. I was stoned, nearly burned tae death...stabbed...If I had m' way, I would help ye in every way I could imagine.*
Korunue looks down, ears drooping. "I'll never fit in... at least there's a name for what you are. That's something, at least.... and you're not like me. You seem strong.... I got attacked everal times for no good reason... and I was too scared to fight back.... too scared...."
*Ye fit in with me, lass. It doesna matter tae me what ye are. I ne'er caught your name? And why were ye scared?* She walks toward her, all dog-like and everything, looking playful as she plops down next to her, her back to her, but her head turned around to look at her playfully *Pet m' if ye'd like. I like tae be petted...*
Korunue looks up. "Korunue. Raven." She sounds timid, shy now that she is not activly arguing with herself. She sighs. "And I was scared because... I don't know. I really don't. I just.... I'm like that. I panic, freeze up... it will be my death someday." She sighs again, patting the wolf absently.
The wolf-woman leans against the petting, her eyes closed, grunting somewhat in pleasure, smiling to herself *Ooooohhh...* She nods a little *I see. Tis all right. I was like that when I first found out what I was, and tha' happened.* She looks behind her at Korunue *Tis a pleasure tae meet ye. I am Sinai WinterWolf.* She lifts up her paw *Can I be your friend, then?*
Korunue smiles "sure." she says, looking down. her tears begin to fade, replaced by the shadow of a smile creeping across her face. She still had her doubts, of course... her smile quickly faded as she remembers Pyron. She frowns. He had proclaimed to want to be her friend, alright, but had gone on to make fun of her shyness, even playing a cruel prank on her, scaring her out of her wits. She was mistrustful of people here after that. Sinai licks her new-found friend's hand, lolling her tongue as she pants. Then she rubs her head against Korunue's hand *I willna let ye down.*
Korunue smiles a little uneasily. "The other one thought it was a joke... he thought it was funny to tease me..." she murmers. "I don't know who to trust anymore."
Sinai turns around, and jumps up, her front paws on her knees gently, her head in her lap *I dinna take friendships lightly, Korunue. If I make a friend, tis for life or until the friend betrays m'...I dinna see ye betraying me.I willna betray ye. I promise ye. On the word of a wolf, I promise ye. Wolves dinna break promises.* She smiles softly--as best she can with a muzzle, anyway.
Korunue nods, smiling a little. "arigato... I will do my best not to betray you... but... eventually..." she closes her eyes, imagening herself possesed yet again. "She will posses me... and I might..." She might attack her, do something she'd regret, all because of that wicked woman.
Sinai licks her hands in comfort. *I understand. I willna try tae harm ye when that time comes. I also must confess that when the moon waxes full, I am verra savage when I first change. I always snap out of it, though--after so long, the necklace I wear takes control of the beast within me.*
Korunue nods, smiling at the comparison. "My necklace helps me, as well. My mother... she comes through it to battle the one who posses me. Both are dead, and a match in power." She says no more, for fear that Sinai will somehow use this against her. She wasn't quite sure how to trust someone...
*I will have tae protect m' self when the time comes, I assume, but I promise not tae try tae harm ye.* She lolls her tongue *Ah, I see.* She nods, a very intelligent thing to see from a wolf. *Sounds a bit like m' sometimes. I once, out of anger for all of the human beings of the world, allowed my bestial self tae take control. I have another form, m' Werewolf form, a bipedal monstrous form that is verra strong and fierce. I would use this form often...I am ashamed o' m'self for such a thing now...*
A tall man with long, dark grey hair that has a sort of reddish tint around the edges strides through the doorway to the inn with a look of confidence in his eyes.On the top of his head there are two fox-like ears, both of them are the same dark grey as his hair, but have a little more red showing around the edges. The ears dart in various directions, scanning for any slight sound that might indicate danger. He has eyes that are a blue-green mix in color and scan the area in front of him, also scanning for any signs of a threat. His shirt is a dark red, almost crimson color, and loose fitting with big open sleeves that could easily conceal a dagger or any other sort of small weapon. His pants are the same deep red color of his shirt, and would have the same big openings as his shirt, but they are tied off at his ankles. He doesn't wear any boots or shoes on his feet, preferring to go barefoot for more agility. Around his waist is a simple belt with a pair of large pouches on his left to hold healing herbs. On the right side of his belt there is a set of rings which hold his two swords, one hanging below the other. On the top is a wakizashi, and hanging right below it is a katana. He has the swords housed in an almost identical pair of scabbards. The shorter scabbard has various silver colored designs and symbols for good luck running down it, while the longer one has the same designs and symbols carved in red. Both blades are well oiled and ready to be drawn on a moments notice. He unconciously reaches down to make sure the blades are loose in the scabbards as he walks in. Little did Korunue know, as she cowers, eyes on the swords, that this one man would change her life.
*******************************************************************************
Alrighty, this is getting long. Review!
Dedicated to Ronin.
I don't own Inuyasha, or Ronin, or Sinai. They are owned by the dude who wrote Inuyasha (forgive me, his name slipped my mind), Ronin (AKA Pyroxolotl), and Sinai_Winterwolf. I don't own the Red Dragon Inn (that honor belongs to Leonoto). The chair-mage owned by my brother.
alright, some explination is in order. This isn't a sequal to Guardian Angel, per se.. it expands on the story. The first bits are flashback, what went through Kor's mind when she was about to commit seppuku. Alrighty, here goes!
To end it all...
Never to return, to say goodbye...
Never to see them again...
Never to see HIM again...
She remembered the first time they met, the three of them: they met on the same fateful night, in the same fate-filled Inn. The Red Dragon Inn.
****************************** Flashback **********************************************
She sits there, alone, or feeling like it. Other patrons came and went, appearing suddanly and dissapearing in a flash, scaring her out of her mind. She knew none of them well. She watches with passing intrest as some poor mute girl was doted on by a caring cat-thing. No, no, the girl was a cat-thing too. Korunue sighs, watching everything... wishing someone would care about her so... wishing that the was carefree, as in youger days.... she needed companionship desprately. She sat there, watching, listening, thinking... her headache had gone, luckily, but her back throbbed painfully every now and then. It had been hit by a chair commanded by a chair-mage. Yes, a chair-mage... she swore revenge on him. A woman was there, asking Moe, the barkeep, for a stiff drink. Kornue shies away from her as well, initially. The woman asked about the girl, and the man seemed loathe to trust her. The woman lowers her head.
" I used to be much like you...Not trusting anyone. I had good reason. To trust someone was to let someone know what I am. If they knew what I was, then I would become very vulnerable.If the right people were to know what I am, then they could hunt me down and kill me. I am a monster in some people's eyes. They would sooner kill me than know that I meant no one in this world any harm..."
Korunue pricks her ears toward to woman. So like her! So untrusting, so voulnerable, and yet... so strong. She didn't cower in the corner whenever a stranger entered. Korunue wishes, just for a moment, that she could be that strong. Fast forward a bit. The woman turns into a wolf, making Korunue a tad jealous. She couldn't become a dog, like a full youkai could... she sighs, half-wanting to get the wolf's attention, half not wanting to be eaten. The wolf, to her suprixe, lays on her belly, wimpering, then turns over, showing her belly in a submissive guesture. Korunue lowers her ears in a "don't-eat-me" kinda guesture, wimpering a little and hunching down. It was her standard response to everything.
A voice, sweet and kind, in her mind: *I'm not going to eat you. That's what the people who think I'm a monster would like to think...I'm no' a cannibal. I am verra respectable of prey animals, as well. No' that you're a prey animal.* it adds, hurridly, in that charming accent.
Korunue jumps, looking about suspiously... "who.... " she says, puzzled... "look, no offense... I have.... reason.... to be timid.." reason like getting jumped by the same demon twice. That HURT! She almost DIED! She shakes her head to stop thinking about it.
* You're no' m' prey. And I understand. *
Korunue lowers her head, ears drooping. "I never can do this right..." she murmers. She goes back to her thoughts.... "maybe I should..." she mutters. She had been thinking, puzzling, all night on this. Too much, in fact: thinking could be her downfall.
The wolf-woman pricks her ears up, looking serious *What?* She looks concerned, sitting up, looking somewhat dog-like.
Korunue whispers, to herself mostly, "cut off my ears.". She had forgotten that someone else was there in the room, having been alone with her thoughts for so long. She took a dagger from her pack and looked it over, fondling her furry dog's ears with her free hand. If she did so, she might be able to pass for human... and thus would have nothing to fear from the general populace. Youkai were few and far between in these regions, and she could settle down, live a nice life.
The wolf whimpers, yelping at the thought *Dinna cut off your ears...Ye canna hear....Such wonderful parts of a canine's form. Tis what makes a canine.* True, true... if she wanted to be canine. The hearing thing, though, might be tricky...
Korunue shakes her head, tears forming. "I don't want to be canine.. I want to be human... I AM human... HUMAN..." she sobs to herself. She tries to delude herself into thinking she was human, knowing full well she sounded pathetic.
The wolf grows sad, lowering her head. *I can be neither...What I am will ne'er allow me to be human, nor be a wolf...*
Korunue keeps her head down, tears flowing silently. "who am I kidding... I'm no human... and I'm not a youkai.. I'm just a freak. A stupid, worthless freak. " It is what she has always been told, and recently has come to belive. And beliveing was halfway to changing: because you change, inside, when you belive something with all your heart.
The wolf, whimpering, stands on all four feet *Ye're no' a freak. If tha' were true, then so would I be.*
Korunue cries harder. "worthless.... save to... her." the "her" is said with loathing, sheer hatred of the woman who possesed her many, many times in her short stay, the one her mother knew, and her father knew (and loved) when she was alive: Kikyo. "She probably finds me useful.... just another body to posses, to wreak havoc... " she breaks out of her thoughts to realize that Sinai was there as well. "no.... we are not alike. You are... you. I am just an unhappy accident, a being never meant to be made. A freak."
*I miss being a normal person, lass. When m' friends found out I was a werewolf, they shunned me. I was a demon to them, a horrible cannibalistic demon who feasted on their blood--at least, that's what their parents told them. I was stoned, nearly burned tae death...stabbed...If I had m' way, I would help ye in every way I could imagine.*
Korunue looks down, ears drooping. "I'll never fit in... at least there's a name for what you are. That's something, at least.... and you're not like me. You seem strong.... I got attacked everal times for no good reason... and I was too scared to fight back.... too scared...."
*Ye fit in with me, lass. It doesna matter tae me what ye are. I ne'er caught your name? And why were ye scared?* She walks toward her, all dog-like and everything, looking playful as she plops down next to her, her back to her, but her head turned around to look at her playfully *Pet m' if ye'd like. I like tae be petted...*
Korunue looks up. "Korunue. Raven." She sounds timid, shy now that she is not activly arguing with herself. She sighs. "And I was scared because... I don't know. I really don't. I just.... I'm like that. I panic, freeze up... it will be my death someday." She sighs again, patting the wolf absently.
The wolf-woman leans against the petting, her eyes closed, grunting somewhat in pleasure, smiling to herself *Ooooohhh...* She nods a little *I see. Tis all right. I was like that when I first found out what I was, and tha' happened.* She looks behind her at Korunue *Tis a pleasure tae meet ye. I am Sinai WinterWolf.* She lifts up her paw *Can I be your friend, then?*
Korunue smiles "sure." she says, looking down. her tears begin to fade, replaced by the shadow of a smile creeping across her face. She still had her doubts, of course... her smile quickly faded as she remembers Pyron. She frowns. He had proclaimed to want to be her friend, alright, but had gone on to make fun of her shyness, even playing a cruel prank on her, scaring her out of her wits. She was mistrustful of people here after that. Sinai licks her new-found friend's hand, lolling her tongue as she pants. Then she rubs her head against Korunue's hand *I willna let ye down.*
Korunue smiles a little uneasily. "The other one thought it was a joke... he thought it was funny to tease me..." she murmers. "I don't know who to trust anymore."
Sinai turns around, and jumps up, her front paws on her knees gently, her head in her lap *I dinna take friendships lightly, Korunue. If I make a friend, tis for life or until the friend betrays m'...I dinna see ye betraying me.I willna betray ye. I promise ye. On the word of a wolf, I promise ye. Wolves dinna break promises.* She smiles softly--as best she can with a muzzle, anyway.
Korunue nods, smiling a little. "arigato... I will do my best not to betray you... but... eventually..." she closes her eyes, imagening herself possesed yet again. "She will posses me... and I might..." She might attack her, do something she'd regret, all because of that wicked woman.
Sinai licks her hands in comfort. *I understand. I willna try tae harm ye when that time comes. I also must confess that when the moon waxes full, I am verra savage when I first change. I always snap out of it, though--after so long, the necklace I wear takes control of the beast within me.*
Korunue nods, smiling at the comparison. "My necklace helps me, as well. My mother... she comes through it to battle the one who posses me. Both are dead, and a match in power." She says no more, for fear that Sinai will somehow use this against her. She wasn't quite sure how to trust someone...
*I will have tae protect m' self when the time comes, I assume, but I promise not tae try tae harm ye.* She lolls her tongue *Ah, I see.* She nods, a very intelligent thing to see from a wolf. *Sounds a bit like m' sometimes. I once, out of anger for all of the human beings of the world, allowed my bestial self tae take control. I have another form, m' Werewolf form, a bipedal monstrous form that is verra strong and fierce. I would use this form often...I am ashamed o' m'self for such a thing now...*
A tall man with long, dark grey hair that has a sort of reddish tint around the edges strides through the doorway to the inn with a look of confidence in his eyes.On the top of his head there are two fox-like ears, both of them are the same dark grey as his hair, but have a little more red showing around the edges. The ears dart in various directions, scanning for any slight sound that might indicate danger. He has eyes that are a blue-green mix in color and scan the area in front of him, also scanning for any signs of a threat. His shirt is a dark red, almost crimson color, and loose fitting with big open sleeves that could easily conceal a dagger or any other sort of small weapon. His pants are the same deep red color of his shirt, and would have the same big openings as his shirt, but they are tied off at his ankles. He doesn't wear any boots or shoes on his feet, preferring to go barefoot for more agility. Around his waist is a simple belt with a pair of large pouches on his left to hold healing herbs. On the right side of his belt there is a set of rings which hold his two swords, one hanging below the other. On the top is a wakizashi, and hanging right below it is a katana. He has the swords housed in an almost identical pair of scabbards. The shorter scabbard has various silver colored designs and symbols for good luck running down it, while the longer one has the same designs and symbols carved in red. Both blades are well oiled and ready to be drawn on a moments notice. He unconciously reaches down to make sure the blades are loose in the scabbards as he walks in. Little did Korunue know, as she cowers, eyes on the swords, that this one man would change her life.
*******************************************************************************
Alrighty, this is getting long. Review!