The Silence

By: Kisu

A/N: I received an email from a reviewer and I thought that a side story would clarify things a little..just in case some people got confused of the beginning! This would also appease you guys a little to keep from hurting me. ^_^; This is a side story of how Sesshoumaru met Kimiko! 3

Disclaimer: Inuyasha does not belong to me.

Side Story: To Hold You Near

            It was a peaceful time in the feudal era.  But all peace wouldn't last long, especially when evil still roamed about.  Not to mention the existence of the Shikon no Tama.  The youkai that were currently sleeping would awake as soon as the jewel appeared again and it wasn't long before that time was near. 

            The Lord of the Western Lands walked slowly through a village in his province.  It had been 10 years since the defeat of Naraku, but he knew that the battle wasn't over.  Naraku was like the dirt underneath fingernails, irritating and hard to pick out.  But of course, his nails were always clean.  Sesshoumaru cast his cold gaze over the humans that littered the streets.  Some of them bowed to him respectfully, others kept their heads down and avoided eye contact.  Humans intrigued him.  But it was his father that had established these grounds for the humans.  Humans who needed protection.  Humans that were weak.  His lips curled slightly in a sneer when something bumped into him.

            He held his stance as that thing fell to the ground.  His golden eyes slid downwards and he surpassed the growl that rose in his throat.  It was a young woman with long dark tresses falling over her eyes.  She was in a crumpled heap and he made no move to help her up.

            "My apologies."  She said, as one delicate hand brushed back her bangs to reveal familiar mahogany brown eyes.  She got up slowly and bowed her head.  "Did I hurt you?"

            "So, you're still alive."  He commented, staring at her.  He inhaled softly.  Her scent was different.

            "Huh?" She looked confused.

            "Wench, where is that hanyou?" He grabbed her wrist, his claws digging into her skin.

            "I don't know what you're talking about!" She cried.  Fear and panic flashed in her eyes and Sesshoumaru relaxed his grip a little.  Those weren't the defiant eyes of Inuyasha's wench, that damn strange miko.  He watched as her eyes unfocused and she fell forward.  Sesshoumaru caught her and stared emotionlessly at her face.  She was beautiful, he had to admit.  But she was also human.

            "Where is she?" He heard an anxious cry.  "In her current state, she shouldn't be wandering!"

            "Obaachan, she just went to gather some herbs."  A voice of a young boy sighed.  Sesshoumaru looked up to see an elderly woman with her grandson searching the marketplace.  The woman suddenly spotted him and she paled.  She ran forward and knelt before him.

            "Gomen Sesshoumaru-sama!" She gasped.  "The girl, we found her off a trail in the forest.  I hope she has not offended you! She is after all still a child compared to your wise age! Please forgive us!"

            "What's wrong with her?" He asked.  The woman faltered and looked up with teary eyes.

            "What?" She blinked.

            "What's wrong with her?" He repeated.  The woman's expression got sad and she closed her eyes.

            "Her health is very unstable.  We don't think she'll last long."  The woman said.  "No one knows how to cure her.  She has no name and no memories!"

            "Pitiful."  Sesshoumaru replied, expressionlessly.  "I'll deliver her to your home."  He hefted the girl in his arms and the woman gasped and stood up abruptly.

            "Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama."  She bowed as she hurried along and prodded her grandson in the back.  The villagers stared in astonishment.  The taiyoukai was aiding a woman? It was so unlike him.  Sesshoumaru remained looking ahead, but his ears heard everything.  He remembered his last conversation with Rin before coming to the village for a routine visit.

            Rin who had grown into a lovely adolescent was always reporting back to him.  Sixteen years old and had undergone training that Sesshoumaru had taught her.  He had refused to allow anybody to hurt her again and she had to protect herself.  After all, it was good to have a human to deliver messages.  A human he could trust.

---

            "Sesshoumaru-sama."  The girl with long legs and hair tied back in a ponytail stepped into the room.  She bowed respectfully.  "It's time for your routine visits to the villages in your province."

            "I know."  He had replied.

            "Sesshoumaru-sama, the villagers---" She trailed off uncertainly.

            "What is it?" He asked, looking up.

            "The villagers could do with some help.  You should care for them, after all they are your villages and the people respect you."  Rin said, quietly.  "A good leader loves his people, ne?"

---

            How very true.  He thought to himself.  He should respect his father's wishes on the protection of the people.  Even if he hated them. 

            "You can place her here, my lord."  The woman said.  Sesshoumaru gave a brief nod and placed the girl onto the blankets on the floor.  He studied her with his usual expressionless mask and indeed an aura of sickness surrounded the girl.  His Tensaiga trembled at his side and he placed his hand on the hilt. 

            "Is that so?" He commented, quietly.  Looking up at the old woman, he narrowed his eyes.  "What kind of sickness does she have?"

            "No one knows my lord."  The woman responded, sadly.  "But she is terribly weak and she has a poor heart.  I just wish her family could come and find her."

            "I'll come back tomorrow."  He said as he walked out the door.  The woman hastily bowed her head and her grandson stared after the taiyoukai in awe.

---

            Indeed he came back the next day.  She greeted him at the door and she smiled at him.  "Sesshoumaru-sama, thank you for helping me the other day."  She said, quietly.  He nodded stiffly and she walked out of the doorway.  The sun hit her face and she tilted it toward the warmth.  "It's beautiful today." 

            "What do they call you?" He asked.

            "Kimiko."  She responded.  "But I wish one day I can remember my memories and my name."  She smiled, wistfully and her eyes stared off into the distance.  "Maybe I can find someone who loves me."  She giggled and turned back toward him.  "Sorry, I think I said too much."

            "Not at all."  He found himself, replying.  She laughed again and it sounded like music in his ears.

---

            The next few days he watched her from afar.  She played with the village children and spent her time watching over them.  She always had a gentle smile on her face and she would run after the children, tickling them with good humor.  She looked healthy until a few weeks later, when she suddenly paused in mid stride and her hand reached up to touch her head.  Her eyes closed and she fell but he caught her before she hit the ground.

            "Sesshoumaru-sama! Is she all right?" The old woman's grandson, Taiko asked with worry.  "Is Kimiko Onee-san all right?"

            "We'll bring her back to your house."  Sesshoumaru replied, curtly as he left.  Taiko nodded and ran home first to tell his grandmother.

            "I fear she only has a few days left."  The old woman said, sadly.  "She's so young.  At age 27 and very lovely.  She hasn't even gotten married yet."  Sesshoumaru stared down at Kimiko's pale face before reaching a decision. 

            "I'll take her in my care.  My people can take care of her."  Sesshoumaru declared as he picked her up in his arms.  She was light as a feather. 

            "Please take care of her well."  The old woman said, bowing her head.  Taiko stood by his grandmother and nodded tearfully.

            "Make sure Kimiko Oneesan gets well!" He said, clenching his hands into fists.  Sesshoumaru paused before placing a hand on top of his head.  Then, he strode out the door without turning back.

---

            Rin was surprised when he saw who he brought back.  She watched as he placed her down onto a bed and she went to grab some warm water to wash off Kimiko's face.  "She's beautiful, ne?"  She asked, quietly.  Her eyes sparkled.  "Sesshoumaru-sama likes her, doesn't he?" He said nothing and silently stared down at the girl.  "I will watch over her, you can get some rest."  She told him, gently.

            "Tell me if anything happens."  He replied, leaving the room softly.

            "To have the power to touch his heart."  Rin whispered as she stared at Kimiko's face.  "Is amazing."

---

            It was probably very late at night when the moon had raised long into the sky and a loud pounding at the door wakened the taiyoukai.  Sesshoumaru gracefully got out of bed and swung open the door.  Rin stood, staring up at him with panicked eyes.  "Sesshoumaru-sama! She's stopped breathing!" Sesshoumaru grabbed his Tensaiga and ran down the hall to where Kimiko's room was.  A light blue sheen graced Kimiko's lips and her skin was very pale.  His eyes narrowed when he saw the demons that came for her soul and he withdrew his sword, quickly slicing down on the evil spirits and diminishing them from appearing again.  But her chest didn't rise and her body stayed motionless.   Had it taken that long for Rin to revive?

            He could see her smiling face and the laughter that brightened up his heart slowly fading from his memories.  Memories of how she had giggled at his9 stoic expressions and how she had tried to mimic them.  He remembered how her expression had softened and a warm smile had spread across her face.

            Now I understand why the villagers love you.

            His hand released the Tensaiga and it clattered to the floor.  Slowly, he made his way over to Kimiko and raised her up and into his arms.  If I could just hold you near forever.  He thought as he crushed her to him in a loving embrace.  I'll protect you and I'll make sure nothing ever harmed you again. 

He understood now how his father had felt when he had met Inuyasha's mother.  Humans held compassion that youkai lacked.  To have a human female counterpart to balance a taiyoukai's power will make him even more powerful.  That was because he had something to protect.  That day when he Inuyasha was born, his father had turned to him with a kind smile on his face.

You will understand one day, son.  You will understand why I chose Inuyasha's mother.

Sesshoumaru lowered his nose into Kimiko's dark tresses and breathed in deeply.  "Kimiko."  He whispered into her ear.  "Come back to me."  He dropped his lips onto her neck.  "Come back and you'll find someone who loves you."  It was hopeless, he decided.  His heart squeezed painfully in his chest and the silence stretched on.  Suddenly, Kimiko's hand came sliding up to capture his.  Her eyes opened slowly and she stared deeply into his golden eyes.

"I heard someone calling for me."  She smiled.  "Tadaima."

He smiled softly.  "Okaerinasai."

A/N: Hope you enjoy that! I will update the next chapter of The Silence soon!