*Disclaimer: Have you watched Inuyasha lately? Takahashi Rumiko is proving her genius with each episode. I would be a fool to try to claim her work!*
Fukai Mori
A plan for revenge calls for the kidnapping of Rin. Nearly a year later Sesshoumaru finds her in the Deep Forest(Fukai Mori), a forest where young and impressionable minds are easily corrupted. His enemy's true plan revealed, Sesshoumaru must make a decision. Kill Rin or be killed.
Chapter 12 - Tomorrow
In times of confusion Rin fought against it, fought to make her mind clear. It was harder this time because Sesshoumaru had successfully frightened away any youkai that would have been lingering around her territory. She itched to kill. But she was left to exhaust herself by destroying trees or anything that was in her path. At the end of the day her kimono was ripped and damp with sweat. Her muscled ached and throbbed, making her beyond tired. And so she rested, her mind clear, and searched for the answers she was looking for.
So far she was having no luck.
Rin closed her eyes, willing the pain in her head to go away. If what Sesshoumaru told her was true and the "memories" that came to her when she was with him were also true, then why did it hurt to think of such things? Something in her mind was wrong, something inside of her head was out of place. She couldn't decide what it was.
Sesshoumaru quietly slipped into Rin's room and lay next to her. When her body went stiff he brushed his hand over her head gently. He had regretted what he said, but he could only give her the truth. He could not mark her. It killed him to see her in pain, to see her confused, to see her avoid him. He had spent too much time looking for her and trying to get her to remember to lose her now.
"If I am truly someone else and not the woman you love, then why did you come here for me, why would you mate with me?"
Her voice sounded so frail that it made him wince. "When I look at you, I see the woman I have grown to love. But when I see your red eyes - eyes that were corrupted by the Fukai Mori - I remember that who you truly are has been changed."
Rin said nothing for a moment before she spoke. "Maybe I like this life better than this previous life you speak of. Maybe that is why I cannot be who you want me to be."
"Perhaps." He turned her to face him, held her face in his hands. "Let us leave tomorrow, leave the Fukai Mori. If you decide you would rather remain here, then so be it. I will never bother you again."
"You have come so far, would you really give up on me so easily?"
"If it will make you happy and remove the pain your memories have caused, then...here is where you must remain."
His eyes were so golden and seemed to bend her to his will. And then he pressed his lips softly against hers, coaxing her to agree to go. It broke her heart to want to be with him while her mind denied that they ever shared a past. She knew something within her was wrong but was still unsure if he would be able to reveal what it was. But she was willing to accept the promise, knowing he was too proud to back out on his word. So Rin held him close as he kissed her, silently agreeing to leave with him tomorrow.
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Sesshoumaru searched for Ah Un and Jaken. He had told the two youkai that they would be departing shortly after sunrise and to be prepared. Jaken had been delighted to hear the news and quickly began preparations for their departure. Sesshoumaru had found the clothing and other items Rin would need outside by the estate entrance, waiting to be loaded upon Ah Un's back. But neither Jaken nor Ah Un could be found.
He was beginning to lose what was left of his patience so he began to walk back to the estate. If Jaken and Ah Un valued their lives, they would be there and ready to depart. But apparently, they valued not for they were currently making their way towards him. They moved quickly as if in a rush to apologize. But this Sesshoumaru was far too upset to accept any apology.
"I should like to here your excuses before I kill you both."
Jaken's expression changed from worry to fear but he spoke up quickly. "Forgive us, Sesshoumaru-sama! Ah Un picked up a curious scent as we were waiting for you and Rin to come out. We followed it thinking it may be Tsubasa and Kazume."
"I told you I would deal with them after I took Rin out of the Fukai Mori."
"I know, mi'Lord. We did not follow the trail long before we returned and when we had, you were already gone. Then we saw Rin...and...and....she was speaking with Tsubasa and Kazume! They didn't spot us to we came to find you!"
Sesshoumaru turned his attention to the estate. He walked slowly to the front, picking up his enemies scent. And what he sensed from Rin had his blood boiling. She was angry and incredibly so. Just what were Tsubasa and Kazume telling her? More lies, he knew. Enough lies to undo all he had done to convince Rin to leave with him. But it would end now, this Sesshoumaru would not risk losing Rin again.
Tsubasa, Kazume and Rin turned, sensing Sesshoumaru's approach. Rin met his eyes, stared at him angrily. This youkai, this man that she convinced herself she loved had told her nothing but lies. She had been a fool to believe anything he said, had been a fool to let emotions crowd her judgment. As a result she had nearly let her sworn enemy take over her territory and she had been hurt. She had been hurt. Her heart had been shattered by the lies from a youkai she believed loved her.
He walked to them, saying nothing. Rin stepped forward before he reached them. Her hand snaked out and clapped loudly against his face. Sesshoumaru turned his head slightly and said nothing. Jaken fainted, too shocked to even try to contemplate what had just occurred. Tsubasa and Kazume took a step back, unsure of the violence that would surely be sparked by Rin's rudeness towards Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru turned his attention back to Rin and met her eyes with his angry ones. He saw something in her eyes that he immediately assumed to be fear but then he realized it was pain. Then anger replaced it. He fought to regain his composure and put on his usual emotionless face. He heard Tsubasa and Kazume let out the breath they had been holding. Patience, he often told himself, was a virtue. He needed it now more than ever.
"Rin, I see you have already met my enemies and your kidnappers. There is no need then for introductions."
She resisted the urge to strike him again. She must calm her emotions if she hoped to get her revenge. "I have had quite enough of your lies, Sesshoumaru. They may be your enemies, but Tsubasa and Kazume have been my allies for a very long time. They are the creators of the Fukai Mori and therefore know all that happens here. They told me all about you, told me the things you neglected to reveal about yourself."
"This Sesshoumaru is somewhat interested in hearing all the lies they have filled your brain with."
Rin narrowed her eyes, her temper flaring because of his arrogance. "It was you who killed my father. You failed to take his powers but you were aware of who they would go to. So you bided your time before you came and tried to take them again. You came here to take my powers and my land. But you are a weak youkai and you gave into your lust. Still, it helped you to gain my trust. I'm sure if I had gone with you this morning, you would have killed me the first chance you had. I understand now why you did not mark me. How would you look if you killed your mate? No, you would not dare blemish your name."
"Quite the elaborate lie. And you would believe it all despite the flashes of memories you had? Would you deny your own memories and the truth they hold? I'm sure Tsubasa and Kazume would love nothing more than that."
"You planted those memories into my mind so that I would believe what you told me." Rin withdrew her katana and took her fighting stance. "I've had enough of you and your deceit. It will end now and my father's death will be avenged. By your death, I will be rid of my father's enemy and the youkai who would betray my love."
"Quit being foolish Rin. The only ones who will die today are Tsubasa and Kazume. They have been waiting to die by my hand for quite sometime. It is not polite to keep them waiting."
Tsubasa stepped forward and placed her hand on Rin's shoulder. "Lady Rin. Let my brother and me handle this for you. We would love nothing more than to kill the youkai that has hurt you."
"No. I can carry out my own revenge, I do not need someone else to do it for me."
"Wise words Rin." Sesshoumaru directed his intention to Tsubasa and Kazume, letting the meaning of his and Rin's words sink in. "What are you thinking Tsubasa...Kazume...Surely you do not like I will fight with Rin. You will both die before she even has time to do more than swing her little blade."
Their words penetrated his mind so that Rin could not hear. "Think what you like Sesshoumaru, but you will not have your way. You have suffered through the loss of your most treasured possession, but you have not suffered enough in our eyes. You must decide, Sesshoumaru. Will you kill your mate, your love, your Rin? Or will you spare her life and let her kill you instead? Either way, we will see you suffer and die. For even if you kill her, you shall have to answer to our final revenge. Death will come tomorrow, regardless."
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Sorry for taking so long to update. I had time to write but inspiration wouldn't come in the mood I was in. I wasn't in a bad mood, just not in the mood to write. I would hate to do another chapter in that state. It may not have come out quite the way I wanted it to and ruin the whole story. I had to bide my time and let inspiration come. I hope you guys like this chapter. We find out what Tsubasa and Kazume have been up to and what they plan to do. But you all knew from the summary what the ending was going to come down to. You'll find out in the next chapter, promise!
^*Rabid Anime Gurl