A/N: Let me start off by saying I hate unhappy endings and that I enjoyed my mean trick...=)
*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 14 - Changes
His couldn't stop the twitching in his hands. He wanted nothing more than to rip something apart, to smell death in the air. He was not satisfied, his anger had not been sated. For once, he wished that Jaken would speak and give him a reason to lash out at him. But the toad youkai had been wise and realizing the sensitivity of the situation, kept silent. It only angered him further.
If Rin were dead, he would not stop killing until the entire world felt his wrath.
With his first blast he had successfully cleared the path of trees that spanned all the way to the end of the Fukai Mori. He didn't want Rin colliding into any trees when he forced her out of the forest. With the force of wind Toukijin emitted, he sent her flying into the air and on her way out. But that wasn't enough. It was necessary to make Tsubasa and Kazume believe that he had killed her. That was the only way they would fight him. His final blast sent Rin into oblivion - an oblivion of pain. But not before he had done the most important thing.
He placed Tenseiga at her side.
He believed Tenseiga would protect her as it had done him. It would protect her because she wore his mark, even if the mark didn't claim her as his mate. It would protect him and what was his. But he wondered how much protection Tenseiga would offer since she was not his mate. It made him regret not marking her. But so long as she was alive, he was satisfied. He was simply worried about the extent of her wounds.
They found her lying a few feet outside the boundaries that had been the Fukai Mori. Jaken was more than a little shocked and fired a million questions at Sesshoumaru. But he paid the youkai no attention as knelt down next to Rin. Her kimono was torn in various places and exposed cuts that seeped with blood. He gathered her gently into his arms, winced at the feeling of her cold skin. If she continued to loose blood, she would die soon. He bit his lip as he turned her face up to him. Placing his lips on hers, he gave her a portion of his blood, helping to speed the healing process. And then he rose to his feet and carried her to the nearest village.
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Because it was winter, they retreated into a cave. Sesshoumaru had only been willing to stay in the village long enough to allow the village doctor to treat Rin's wounds. He had Jaken bring blankets and kimonos since it appeared as though he didn't know when they would be leaving. Rin's wounds healed nicely during their month stay in the cave, only leaving her with small scars. But within that month, she only slept. Nothing he did would wake her and no matter how many times he sent for the village doctor, she would not open her eyes.
Her skin had paled so much so that it reminded him of the snow that blanketed the ground. It appeared as though her body was withering away as she lost more weight everyday. Her breathing was so slow that he thought the life would leave her body at any moment. It scared him, angered him. He had never known fear until Rin, had never known love until Rin. He wanted to hate her for giving him such emotions but every time he saw her face, he hated himself. How had he, Sesshoumaru, let things go so badly? Guilt and fear fueled his anger, dissipating his patience. If Rin continued to suffer, then so would the world.
"Se...S-Sesshou..."
His legs nearly failed him when he heard the sound of her sweet and fragile voice. But he turned and was by her side at an instant, touching her face, holding her hands. She took short breaths, as if it hurt to breathe. Her eyelids fluttered, but she did not open her eyes. She could barely speak so he urged her not too. He sent Jaken for food first and then to retrieve the doctor again.
For the next few weeks Sesshoumaru rarely left Rin's side. She lay still, too weak to open her eyes, too weak to move, too weak to speak. At times he was afraid that sleep had overcome her yet again but when he called to her, she nodded slowly and then went still again. He made her eat five times a day and then as it seemed she was getting better, he fed her only three times a day. Slowly, a pace that tortured his soul, she regained her complete health.
Once she was able to feed herself and the color returned to her cheeks, Sesshoumaru spent less and less time at the cave. He told her it was because he was getting things prepared for their arrival at his estate in the Western Lands, but it wasn't the entire truth. He was afraid of a real confrontation, afraid to look in her eyes with all the guilt he felt in his heart. And he was ashamed of himself from hiding from her. So he spent most of his time brooding over his ignorance and what Rin had turned him into. It took him quite some time to find enough strength to go speak to her. Imagine him, Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands, needing to gather courage to talk to a human female. Either he was a fool or helplessly in love.
He was both, he gathered, for when he returned to the cave, Rin was gone.
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After pummeling Jaken into the ground for letting Rin wander off without his knowledge, Sesshoumaru went in search of his beloved. He found her in a field, sitting among a patch of newly grown flowers. Winter had reluctantly given way to spring and nature began to burst with life. He could not help but smiling, realizing how much Rin was like nature. She had hibernated within herself all of winter and then she sprung to life just as spring had.
He came up behind her slowly, fighting the need to take her in his arms and hold her for the rest of his days. She must have sensed him, for she turned her head up to him, eyes closed from the brightness of the sun, and smiled. Pleasure rushed through his veins, threatening to turn into desire. How he missed her smile...
Rin looked down and across the field, pulling her legs to her chest. "I missed spring when I was in the Fukai Mori. Everything was dead, like it is during winter, only it wasn't as cold."
Worry began to work its way into his mind. Was she still under the influence of the Fukai Mori? Did she not remember who he was? What he truly meant to her? Did she remember the horrible way he handled things in the end?
"But do you know what I missed the most?" She smiled again and picked a few flowers, quickly turning them into a ring. She rose to her feet and turned to him, rose to her toes and placed it on his head. "You, Sesshoumaru-sama."
Sesshoumaru stared down at her, stared into those large and smiling brown eyes. A wave of relief washed over him, quickly followed by a wave of love. He took her into his arms, held her tightly against him.
"I missed you too Rin...I missed you too."
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Rin stood on the dock overlooking the lake next to Sesshoumaru's estate. Confusion and frustration brought her here, loneliness had her sighing. She had spent nearly a week here and it seemed as though she dreamed up her time in the Fukai Mori. After she woke up, Sesshoumaru had shown more emotion toward her than she thought he possessed. But the moment they reached the Western Lands, he returned to his cold, emotionless self.
"Rin."
She jumped at the sound of his name, feeling as though she would be punished for her thoughts. But realizing this was silly, she turned to him and bowed. "Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama."
"Come with me."
Sesshoumaru led the way back to the estate and into Rin's room. It was filled with many female youkai, all of whom stood about as if waiting to do something. Her bed had been draped with many lovely kimonos and a makeshift bath had been brought into the room. She glanced at Sesshoumaru questioningly, not understanding what was going on. He simply bent and placed a small kiss on her lips, causing her to turn a bright shade of red and blink at his strange behavior. He told her to follow the ladies instructions and then left the room.
They bathed her with sweet smelling soaps, coated her skin with powder and liquid fragrances. They braided her hair before they bathed her and now untangled her locks allowing them to curl further as they dried. After much debate, they finally chose a pale yellow and orange-checkered kimono for her to wear. It was slightly accented by brown branches at the bottom and ends of the long sleeves. The brown obi was left to flow in front of her since her hair would only cover it if they made it into a bow behind her back. They put fragrances in her hair as well and put the strands that fell in front of her face into a loose ponytail. Final preparations were being made as they began to put something on her face when Sesshoumaru returned.
"No make-up, she doesn't need it. Stand Rin." When she did as ordered, Sesshoumaru stared at her with that emotionless look and examined her opinion. "This Sesshoumaru is pleased. Follow me."
Rin scurried after Sesshoumaru quickly, uncomfortable with the uncertainty of the situation. "Sesshoumaru-sama..."
He didn't answer her until they reached his room. He then handed her a blade in its sheath and instructed her to withdraw it. "Do you still remember how to use it?"
She noticed that it had been designed much like the katana Tsubasa and Kazume had given her. Upon further inspection she found the latch that unlocked the two blades. She glanced back up at Sesshoumaru. "I do not understand, Sesshoumaru-sama. You have been practically neglecting me since we arrived and now you bestow me with such lovely gifts..."
"You must understand Rin that as the Lord of the Western Lands, this Sesshoumaru must remain composed and untouchable by anything, including emotions, at all times. However, that does not mean I love you any less. You will become my mate today but first we both must prove that you are worthy of becoming so."
Her heart fluttered at the implications of his words. She followed after him quickly when he began to make his way down the hall and towards the front of the estate. "How will we prove it Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"You will fight me with that katana." He stopped short when he sensed her fear. "Do not worry Rin, it will not be anything serious, just a simple show. But you must fight with all your strength. This Sesshoumaru knows you are capable of doing well."
"H-hai..Sesshoumaru-sama."
He took her hands and kissed them, surprising her once more. "Are you ready then?"
"Hai."
The doors of the estate slid open and they outside and stood in front of an endless wave of youkai.
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Did you really think I would let Rin die? Did you really think that Sesshoumaru would let Rin die? I don't think so...I know it was mean but I love crazy twists. Sorry for taking so long to update...issues w/school have taken my attention. Next chapter will be the last...
^*Rabid Anime Gurl