Chapter 3:
"My love, we . . . there's . . ." The man could not be seen, his footsteps barely audible as he walked into the dark room.
"It's ok, I know what you're trying to tell me." The woman was sitting in a rocking chair, gently rocking back and forth a precious bundle held gently in her arms.
"That insight of yours! It wasn't rational for me to try to keep this from you, but I thought it best at the time."
The woman just gave him an understanding look.
"We're not going to die A'Marie, we can't now that everything has finally become right." The man walked over to the woman, kneeling before her he looked at the tiny baby girl in her arms. He ran his hand over her small head. Bending to kiss her plump cheeks, his nose nuzzled against hers, and his hand stroked her tiny fist, she opened her hand and grabbed his finger. He chuckled at the firm grip. It was a sad sound, tears hovering at the back of his eyes as he looked up from the baby girl to the woman. He grabbed her hand as well. These two were, they were his life, he wished he had found that out sooner, then they would have had more time together. No! he couldn't think like that. He gently pulled her out of the chair to her knees baby and all. She looked at him, although she looked serene as she always did he could see the fear, sadness, and trust in her eyes. Holding her gaze he hugged her and the baby close wrapping his white feathered wings around them both.
"Alaric! A'Marie! We must leave! There are not enough life boats! And they're coming back! We have to leave, we have to go!" The words were urgent, panicked and torn from the little man standing at the door, his wings tucked behind his back in a show of cowardice.
Alaric got up from his kneeled position, bringing A'Marie up as well. He rushed over to the cowering man, grabbing him by the shoulders.
"What do you mean they are coming back? What do you mean?!" Even as he asked the question he realized the obvious.
He swung around to A'Marie she was already gathering their necessary supplies.
He grabbed the bag from her, took her hand and rushed out into the chaos. The people of Atlantis had lost all sense. They rushed around like chickens without their heads. It was a sad day, one that Alaric had wished never to see. Fires, destruction, and floods were everywhere. Atlantis was sinking, the rebels: evil residents of Atlantis who were disgusted by it's supposed weaknesses were destroying the one place they claimed to love. Idiots.
Alaric searched frantically for an empty life boat or raft, it was essential to his family's survival. Though they had wings and were strong flyers, they could not fly all the way to other lands without becoming fatally tired. He saw an empty boat and headed for it, they only needed one seat, A'Marie could sit on his lap the baby on her's. He tightened his hand around her hand and began to push his way through the crowd. At some point he lost her hand, when he turned she was being pushed back by a desperate man. He wrenched the man away from her grabbed her hand again and looked ahead. The crowd was too thick he glanced at the sky thinking they could fly to the boat if need be. He realized that the rebels had arrived, the atlantians in the sky were falling to the ground arrows protruding out all areas of their bodies.
The rebels began to aim at those on the ground and in the boats. Alaric looked for some kind of shelter, water now coming to his ankles and nearly to A'Marie's calves.
They had to get out of here! Now! He saw some shelter of debris by the boats. He looked down at A'Marie, she nodded that she had seen too.
He took off as fast as he could, dragging her with him. His mind focused on the safety of the shelter. The destruction of the city was just a blur to him. He felt A'Marie jerk back when they were nearly to safety, but he yanked her forward unmercilessly. When he reached the shelter he turned to see if they were both all right.
They weren't. A'Marie's eyes were glazed with pain. And his daughter, Aelan was crying at the top of her lungs able to feel or sense others pain as all Alantian were apt to do. The bond between mother and daughter were so close that Aelan felt nearly as much pain as her mother. Alaric didn't have to search A'Marie's body to find the source of her pain. The arrow couldn't be missed.
"A'Marie . . ." He whispered taking the baby from the arm that trembled under the strain of holding on to their baby when the arrow struck her shoulder. Alaric put Aelan down next to them making sure that she was under the shelter, he gathered A'Marie in his arms with trembling hands.
"The wound is not fatal. Alaric you have to take the arrow out."
"It'll hurt A'Marie." He warned.
"I can take it, we can't stay here long Alaric ."
He nodded taking hold of the arrow, unfortunately it hadn't gone all the way through. If it had he could have broken it and pulled it out easily. As it was the wound would open more because he would have to take it out with the head still on.
He held her gaze waiting for her to signal that she was ready.
A'Marie took at a deep breath then nodded to her husband. Alaric also took a deep breath. This was going hurt him also. The best way to do this was as quickly as possible. He yanked with a good measure of his strength.
"AAAAAAAAHHHH!"
"WAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Both mother and daughter's screams mingled. A'Marie was hovering between unconsciousness and consciousness while Alaric tore off one of his white sleeves to bandage the wound.
"Don't faint, net yet A'Marie."
"No . . ." She was struggling to stay awake.
"Alaric!" A tall sturdy looking man named Baldishar had seen them take refuge under the debris.
"Alaric we must help the people of Atlantis. If things go on like this we will all die. The king is dead, his second died before he did. There is no one to command the people. You are highly respected and should have been king."
"I did not wish for that responsibility Baldishar."
"Well now it has been given to you despite what you wish. The few people on Atlantis that still have their wits, have appointed you. You must help us!"
Alaric looked at his wife and his child. He knew what this meant, being the king at this stage was just a sacrifice, no glory. He knew that taking on this duty would mean that he probably wouldn't be getting off Atlantis alive but still . . . He couldn't sit by and watch his people suffer and die.
A'Marie smiled a sad smile telling him silently that she understood the consequences as well. And the decision was his, either way she'd stand by him. Alaric smiled ruthfully, they had almost made it to the boat.
He turned to Baldishar. "Before leaving the rebels confiscated all of the weaponry, right?"
"Right."
"That leaves out fighting, do we still have tools or back up weapons?"
"A few hammers and bows and arrows."
"Ok, here's the plan, we need twenty strong men preferably soldiers, thirty if you have them. We should have more but I want the best men for the first part of the plan."
"Done."
"Half of them are to rescue as many boats as they can. They are to take them behind the left gate away from the rebels and close to the temple on the central hill. The other half are to gather the people by any means necessary, but try hard not to hurt them. Try very hard Baldishar. As for the rest of the men and soldiers divide them in two groups as well. We want the best archers to cover the soldiers rescuing the boats and the people, the other half will be making more arrows as fast as they can. We can do it, we are Atlantians the best craftsmen and soldiers this world has seen. Atlantis is sinking so I don't have to tell you this has to be done with all haste. Have the soldiers gathering the people to herd them to the temple on Central Hill, it sits the highest on the land and is closest to the water escape route behind the gates. GO!!"
"Yes Sir!"
Alaric turned to his wife. She had known about this, she had once told him he would live up to his name. Alaric: he who rules.
"A'Marie, the first open life boat . . . you and our daughter will be it's first passengers."
"We go no where without you."
"A'Marie you don't understand. I get on the boats last if there are any left after the people have boarded. I have to be here for them."
"And I have to be here for you. We go no where without you."
"For the sake of our daughter -"
"Alaric you are an Atlantian, you know we mate for life. And grief is our deadliest enemy. I wouldn't live long if you died, and Aelan wouldn't live long if I died. It is best for us to live or die together. We stay with you."
He nodded and was about to lead them out from under the shelter to make a dash for Central Hill when he noticed Aelan was asleep. The sleep, however, looked painful and unnatural.
"What is wrong with her?" He asked concerned.
A'Marie knew her daughter's secrets. She knew why her sleep was painful, every Alantian had a special quality Aelan's was healing even now A'Marie could feel the pain transferring from her shoulder to her baby's shoulder, she couldn't stop it. It was a bittersweet gift, while she would be helping people around her forget their pain she herself would be in pain most of the time. She also knew why her daughter's sleep was unnatural, but that was so much more complex.
"Aelan, it's time for you to wake up now. The magic does not usually work for you but you must help it bring you back. Stay with him, he will protect you until the truth is revealed. There is much pain and suffering to come. Be strong little one and remember little by little your mother A'Marie: gracious under adversity, your father Aleric: He who rules, and yourself Aelan: Flower (healer of souls) Aleshannee: she who always plays Aira: of the wind. Please Remember . . ."
*********************************
Sesshoumaru stood over the dead body of the girl who had helped him, who had been kind to him. Her eyes were open staring unseeingly at the sky above. Ironically her face held a look of intense peace. Below her hand was a stem and cradled in her palm were crushed flower petals.
'She smells dead, she looks dead, her lungs aren't taking in air, and her heart beat has stopped. Yet, I see no gaki. Tenseiga is pulsing, but I don't know what I am supposed to slay. Does this mean I can't bring this girl back with Tenseiga?' His chest tightened, why was this so important? 'I'll try it anyway.' He swung the Tenseiga at nothing in particular, just above her chest and waited. The girl's wounds magically healed themselves before his eyes. The bruises on her face disappeared as well as the bruises shaped like fingers that garnished her neck like a horrifying necklace. The girl, however, remained still. Not breathing, not so much as an eyelash fluttering.
'Did Tenseiga work?'
"It doesn't seem to be working Lord Sesshoumaru. Perhaps the Tenseiga doesn't find weak human worth its power." Jaken the king of stupidity and bad timing giggled like a school girl at his joke, expecting Sesshoumaru to join in on his amusement. He couldn't understand why Lord Sesshoumaru was even trying to save this unworthy human. It was probably an experiment to test the extent of Tenseiga's power. Jaken was glad the Tenseiga hadn't revived the human, and even if Lord Sesshoumaru was a little disappointed at Tenseiga's lack of power he would be glad as well. Why he probably - his thoughts were cut off when Sesshoumaru kneeled . . . KNEELED down beside the human girl lifting her torso to rest on his upraised knee. Jaken's jaw tumbled to the forest floor at the sight.
*****************************
Rin felt heat all over her body. She was confused, last she had remembered she was being choked, feeling the pain in her lungs from lack of air. Yes, she remembered pain, pain in her face, on her neck, in her heart. Her youkai . . .
She slowly opened her eyes wide at first and immediately closed them against the bright light. Next time she opened them it was in a squint, this time she focused and the first thing she saw was intense golden eyes. She stared at them, such beautiful eyes she wanted to reach up and touch the beautiful face not that far from hers, but her hand didn't want to move just yet.
'He looks so troubled.' Rin smiled at him and tried to sit up. It took a while, but her strength was returning to her body.
"Lord Sesshoumaru?"
Rin looked around the youkai lord who's name was obviously Sesshoumaru: the killing perfection. It fit him completely. There behind Sesshoumaru was the ugliest green youkai she'd ever seen. Of course she hadn't seen that many green youkai. She would have continued to stare at him, but Sesshoumaru chose that moment to rise. He turned away from her immediately. Rin looked up at him, staring at his noble back. She felt confused when he just walked away saying nothing to her or the green youkai. 'Why do I feel like he is deliberately trying to put as much distance as possible between himself and me and this little youkai?' The ugly youkai sputtered and immediately followed after the youkai lord.
Rin sat there for a while staring after him, memories were flooding her brain. The lord's son over her squeezing the breath out of her. Her chest hurting , the desperation, the fear of knowing that she was going to die. The last thought that ran through her mind. Rin looked down at her hands, her fingertips were no longer aching from clawing her captors face or the forest floor. The skin and nails that had been previously torn completely off were now back to normal. Her hands came up to her neck, her throat was no longer hurting. She touched her face, her lip was no longer busted. It was like her death and the events leading up to her death had never happened. 'I knew if I got to him I would be all right' she thought as she looked at his back. He was still walking away from her, but slower now.
*Stay with him, he will protect you until the truth is revealed.*
Rin didn't question where the voice came from. At this moment she would have been happy with anything that excused her urge to follow him, to save him as he had saved her. She had a feeling he needed it. She got up and ran after him.
********************************
"I'd like to see Rin please. Immediately." Kiyomi snapped impatiently. She had a feeling something had gone very wrong. She tried to convince herself that she was imagining things, but she trusted her instincts too much.
"Rin is out, she won't be receiving visitors for quite a while."
Kiyomi hated the twisted smile on the girl's face, It was full of maliciousness.
Kiyomi gave the girl a menacing smile of her own, letting her miko powers swirl all around her like an invisible cloak. Even a human with the smallest spiritual awareness could feel the danger.
"Atsuko isn't it? Either you tell me where Rin is this instant or they won't be able to find all the pieces of your body for a proper burial." Her voice was low and a glint entered her eyes giving the impression that she would like nothing better than to slay this girl.
The girl Atsuko was scared stiff and dumb, unable to move, to speak, to even think. An elderly servant spoke stepping up beside the frozen girl.
"Rin is dead. The lord's son came back to the castle and Basho made the announcement. His lordship was not happy, furious actually, we thought that he was going to kill his son but he never went into his room where the lord's son has been hiding every since, instead he just went back to his quarters to cool off. A couple of villagers are gathering to find her body in the forest."
Kiyomi felt rage building up inside her. She felt like she couldn't control it. 'I must, but first I'll kill him.' No one had to tell Kiyomi who was responsible for Rin's murder, and she was sure it had been a murder. She pushed past all the servants and guards and burst into the young lords room. He was sitting facing the window staring at nothing. Basho was pacing back and forth behind his lord, master . . . friend.
Kiyomi's rage was near to overflowing, spilling over the edge. Her rigid control was like a dam that was slowly cracking under the apparent unconcern of the young lord sitting peacefully by the window. She turned to Basho.
"LEAVE US!!" She yelled, no longer in control of her voice, her whole being daring her to disobey her. Almost pleading with him to give her an excuse to do violence. He must have seen this because he didn't hesitate, scurrying in his desperation to show how fickle his loyalty really was.
When the door closed Kiyomi walked slowly up to the young lord wondering why he hadn't turned, or gave some indication that he knew of her approach. When she reached him she waited. But he never turned. Her lungs contracted with apprehension making it hard to breath. She braced her hand on the wall and walked around to his front and stared him dead in the face, what was left of it . . .
Kiyomi turned away trying not to vomit. He was still alive and functioning and with proper care he would live, possibly a long life. But no woman would ever again find him attractive. For on his face were four holes like finger prints on each cheek, so deep they went past his skin, muscle, and bones enabling Kiyomi to see into his mouth. Around each small hole the skin seemed to have been burnt off, as she stared in horror he turned to her, saliva oozed out of some of the holes. His jaws worked, he was trying to say something . . .
Very gross way to end a chapter huh? well tell me what you think of the story so far, I'm interested. :)
"My love, we . . . there's . . ." The man could not be seen, his footsteps barely audible as he walked into the dark room.
"It's ok, I know what you're trying to tell me." The woman was sitting in a rocking chair, gently rocking back and forth a precious bundle held gently in her arms.
"That insight of yours! It wasn't rational for me to try to keep this from you, but I thought it best at the time."
The woman just gave him an understanding look.
"We're not going to die A'Marie, we can't now that everything has finally become right." The man walked over to the woman, kneeling before her he looked at the tiny baby girl in her arms. He ran his hand over her small head. Bending to kiss her plump cheeks, his nose nuzzled against hers, and his hand stroked her tiny fist, she opened her hand and grabbed his finger. He chuckled at the firm grip. It was a sad sound, tears hovering at the back of his eyes as he looked up from the baby girl to the woman. He grabbed her hand as well. These two were, they were his life, he wished he had found that out sooner, then they would have had more time together. No! he couldn't think like that. He gently pulled her out of the chair to her knees baby and all. She looked at him, although she looked serene as she always did he could see the fear, sadness, and trust in her eyes. Holding her gaze he hugged her and the baby close wrapping his white feathered wings around them both.
"Alaric! A'Marie! We must leave! There are not enough life boats! And they're coming back! We have to leave, we have to go!" The words were urgent, panicked and torn from the little man standing at the door, his wings tucked behind his back in a show of cowardice.
Alaric got up from his kneeled position, bringing A'Marie up as well. He rushed over to the cowering man, grabbing him by the shoulders.
"What do you mean they are coming back? What do you mean?!" Even as he asked the question he realized the obvious.
He swung around to A'Marie she was already gathering their necessary supplies.
He grabbed the bag from her, took her hand and rushed out into the chaos. The people of Atlantis had lost all sense. They rushed around like chickens without their heads. It was a sad day, one that Alaric had wished never to see. Fires, destruction, and floods were everywhere. Atlantis was sinking, the rebels: evil residents of Atlantis who were disgusted by it's supposed weaknesses were destroying the one place they claimed to love. Idiots.
Alaric searched frantically for an empty life boat or raft, it was essential to his family's survival. Though they had wings and were strong flyers, they could not fly all the way to other lands without becoming fatally tired. He saw an empty boat and headed for it, they only needed one seat, A'Marie could sit on his lap the baby on her's. He tightened his hand around her hand and began to push his way through the crowd. At some point he lost her hand, when he turned she was being pushed back by a desperate man. He wrenched the man away from her grabbed her hand again and looked ahead. The crowd was too thick he glanced at the sky thinking they could fly to the boat if need be. He realized that the rebels had arrived, the atlantians in the sky were falling to the ground arrows protruding out all areas of their bodies.
The rebels began to aim at those on the ground and in the boats. Alaric looked for some kind of shelter, water now coming to his ankles and nearly to A'Marie's calves.
They had to get out of here! Now! He saw some shelter of debris by the boats. He looked down at A'Marie, she nodded that she had seen too.
He took off as fast as he could, dragging her with him. His mind focused on the safety of the shelter. The destruction of the city was just a blur to him. He felt A'Marie jerk back when they were nearly to safety, but he yanked her forward unmercilessly. When he reached the shelter he turned to see if they were both all right.
They weren't. A'Marie's eyes were glazed with pain. And his daughter, Aelan was crying at the top of her lungs able to feel or sense others pain as all Alantian were apt to do. The bond between mother and daughter were so close that Aelan felt nearly as much pain as her mother. Alaric didn't have to search A'Marie's body to find the source of her pain. The arrow couldn't be missed.
"A'Marie . . ." He whispered taking the baby from the arm that trembled under the strain of holding on to their baby when the arrow struck her shoulder. Alaric put Aelan down next to them making sure that she was under the shelter, he gathered A'Marie in his arms with trembling hands.
"The wound is not fatal. Alaric you have to take the arrow out."
"It'll hurt A'Marie." He warned.
"I can take it, we can't stay here long Alaric ."
He nodded taking hold of the arrow, unfortunately it hadn't gone all the way through. If it had he could have broken it and pulled it out easily. As it was the wound would open more because he would have to take it out with the head still on.
He held her gaze waiting for her to signal that she was ready.
A'Marie took at a deep breath then nodded to her husband. Alaric also took a deep breath. This was going hurt him also. The best way to do this was as quickly as possible. He yanked with a good measure of his strength.
"AAAAAAAAHHHH!"
"WAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Both mother and daughter's screams mingled. A'Marie was hovering between unconsciousness and consciousness while Alaric tore off one of his white sleeves to bandage the wound.
"Don't faint, net yet A'Marie."
"No . . ." She was struggling to stay awake.
"Alaric!" A tall sturdy looking man named Baldishar had seen them take refuge under the debris.
"Alaric we must help the people of Atlantis. If things go on like this we will all die. The king is dead, his second died before he did. There is no one to command the people. You are highly respected and should have been king."
"I did not wish for that responsibility Baldishar."
"Well now it has been given to you despite what you wish. The few people on Atlantis that still have their wits, have appointed you. You must help us!"
Alaric looked at his wife and his child. He knew what this meant, being the king at this stage was just a sacrifice, no glory. He knew that taking on this duty would mean that he probably wouldn't be getting off Atlantis alive but still . . . He couldn't sit by and watch his people suffer and die.
A'Marie smiled a sad smile telling him silently that she understood the consequences as well. And the decision was his, either way she'd stand by him. Alaric smiled ruthfully, they had almost made it to the boat.
He turned to Baldishar. "Before leaving the rebels confiscated all of the weaponry, right?"
"Right."
"That leaves out fighting, do we still have tools or back up weapons?"
"A few hammers and bows and arrows."
"Ok, here's the plan, we need twenty strong men preferably soldiers, thirty if you have them. We should have more but I want the best men for the first part of the plan."
"Done."
"Half of them are to rescue as many boats as they can. They are to take them behind the left gate away from the rebels and close to the temple on the central hill. The other half are to gather the people by any means necessary, but try hard not to hurt them. Try very hard Baldishar. As for the rest of the men and soldiers divide them in two groups as well. We want the best archers to cover the soldiers rescuing the boats and the people, the other half will be making more arrows as fast as they can. We can do it, we are Atlantians the best craftsmen and soldiers this world has seen. Atlantis is sinking so I don't have to tell you this has to be done with all haste. Have the soldiers gathering the people to herd them to the temple on Central Hill, it sits the highest on the land and is closest to the water escape route behind the gates. GO!!"
"Yes Sir!"
Alaric turned to his wife. She had known about this, she had once told him he would live up to his name. Alaric: he who rules.
"A'Marie, the first open life boat . . . you and our daughter will be it's first passengers."
"We go no where without you."
"A'Marie you don't understand. I get on the boats last if there are any left after the people have boarded. I have to be here for them."
"And I have to be here for you. We go no where without you."
"For the sake of our daughter -"
"Alaric you are an Atlantian, you know we mate for life. And grief is our deadliest enemy. I wouldn't live long if you died, and Aelan wouldn't live long if I died. It is best for us to live or die together. We stay with you."
He nodded and was about to lead them out from under the shelter to make a dash for Central Hill when he noticed Aelan was asleep. The sleep, however, looked painful and unnatural.
"What is wrong with her?" He asked concerned.
A'Marie knew her daughter's secrets. She knew why her sleep was painful, every Alantian had a special quality Aelan's was healing even now A'Marie could feel the pain transferring from her shoulder to her baby's shoulder, she couldn't stop it. It was a bittersweet gift, while she would be helping people around her forget their pain she herself would be in pain most of the time. She also knew why her daughter's sleep was unnatural, but that was so much more complex.
"Aelan, it's time for you to wake up now. The magic does not usually work for you but you must help it bring you back. Stay with him, he will protect you until the truth is revealed. There is much pain and suffering to come. Be strong little one and remember little by little your mother A'Marie: gracious under adversity, your father Aleric: He who rules, and yourself Aelan: Flower (healer of souls) Aleshannee: she who always plays Aira: of the wind. Please Remember . . ."
*********************************
Sesshoumaru stood over the dead body of the girl who had helped him, who had been kind to him. Her eyes were open staring unseeingly at the sky above. Ironically her face held a look of intense peace. Below her hand was a stem and cradled in her palm were crushed flower petals.
'She smells dead, she looks dead, her lungs aren't taking in air, and her heart beat has stopped. Yet, I see no gaki. Tenseiga is pulsing, but I don't know what I am supposed to slay. Does this mean I can't bring this girl back with Tenseiga?' His chest tightened, why was this so important? 'I'll try it anyway.' He swung the Tenseiga at nothing in particular, just above her chest and waited. The girl's wounds magically healed themselves before his eyes. The bruises on her face disappeared as well as the bruises shaped like fingers that garnished her neck like a horrifying necklace. The girl, however, remained still. Not breathing, not so much as an eyelash fluttering.
'Did Tenseiga work?'
"It doesn't seem to be working Lord Sesshoumaru. Perhaps the Tenseiga doesn't find weak human worth its power." Jaken the king of stupidity and bad timing giggled like a school girl at his joke, expecting Sesshoumaru to join in on his amusement. He couldn't understand why Lord Sesshoumaru was even trying to save this unworthy human. It was probably an experiment to test the extent of Tenseiga's power. Jaken was glad the Tenseiga hadn't revived the human, and even if Lord Sesshoumaru was a little disappointed at Tenseiga's lack of power he would be glad as well. Why he probably - his thoughts were cut off when Sesshoumaru kneeled . . . KNEELED down beside the human girl lifting her torso to rest on his upraised knee. Jaken's jaw tumbled to the forest floor at the sight.
*****************************
Rin felt heat all over her body. She was confused, last she had remembered she was being choked, feeling the pain in her lungs from lack of air. Yes, she remembered pain, pain in her face, on her neck, in her heart. Her youkai . . .
She slowly opened her eyes wide at first and immediately closed them against the bright light. Next time she opened them it was in a squint, this time she focused and the first thing she saw was intense golden eyes. She stared at them, such beautiful eyes she wanted to reach up and touch the beautiful face not that far from hers, but her hand didn't want to move just yet.
'He looks so troubled.' Rin smiled at him and tried to sit up. It took a while, but her strength was returning to her body.
"Lord Sesshoumaru?"
Rin looked around the youkai lord who's name was obviously Sesshoumaru: the killing perfection. It fit him completely. There behind Sesshoumaru was the ugliest green youkai she'd ever seen. Of course she hadn't seen that many green youkai. She would have continued to stare at him, but Sesshoumaru chose that moment to rise. He turned away from her immediately. Rin looked up at him, staring at his noble back. She felt confused when he just walked away saying nothing to her or the green youkai. 'Why do I feel like he is deliberately trying to put as much distance as possible between himself and me and this little youkai?' The ugly youkai sputtered and immediately followed after the youkai lord.
Rin sat there for a while staring after him, memories were flooding her brain. The lord's son over her squeezing the breath out of her. Her chest hurting , the desperation, the fear of knowing that she was going to die. The last thought that ran through her mind. Rin looked down at her hands, her fingertips were no longer aching from clawing her captors face or the forest floor. The skin and nails that had been previously torn completely off were now back to normal. Her hands came up to her neck, her throat was no longer hurting. She touched her face, her lip was no longer busted. It was like her death and the events leading up to her death had never happened. 'I knew if I got to him I would be all right' she thought as she looked at his back. He was still walking away from her, but slower now.
*Stay with him, he will protect you until the truth is revealed.*
Rin didn't question where the voice came from. At this moment she would have been happy with anything that excused her urge to follow him, to save him as he had saved her. She had a feeling he needed it. She got up and ran after him.
********************************
"I'd like to see Rin please. Immediately." Kiyomi snapped impatiently. She had a feeling something had gone very wrong. She tried to convince herself that she was imagining things, but she trusted her instincts too much.
"Rin is out, she won't be receiving visitors for quite a while."
Kiyomi hated the twisted smile on the girl's face, It was full of maliciousness.
Kiyomi gave the girl a menacing smile of her own, letting her miko powers swirl all around her like an invisible cloak. Even a human with the smallest spiritual awareness could feel the danger.
"Atsuko isn't it? Either you tell me where Rin is this instant or they won't be able to find all the pieces of your body for a proper burial." Her voice was low and a glint entered her eyes giving the impression that she would like nothing better than to slay this girl.
The girl Atsuko was scared stiff and dumb, unable to move, to speak, to even think. An elderly servant spoke stepping up beside the frozen girl.
"Rin is dead. The lord's son came back to the castle and Basho made the announcement. His lordship was not happy, furious actually, we thought that he was going to kill his son but he never went into his room where the lord's son has been hiding every since, instead he just went back to his quarters to cool off. A couple of villagers are gathering to find her body in the forest."
Kiyomi felt rage building up inside her. She felt like she couldn't control it. 'I must, but first I'll kill him.' No one had to tell Kiyomi who was responsible for Rin's murder, and she was sure it had been a murder. She pushed past all the servants and guards and burst into the young lords room. He was sitting facing the window staring at nothing. Basho was pacing back and forth behind his lord, master . . . friend.
Kiyomi's rage was near to overflowing, spilling over the edge. Her rigid control was like a dam that was slowly cracking under the apparent unconcern of the young lord sitting peacefully by the window. She turned to Basho.
"LEAVE US!!" She yelled, no longer in control of her voice, her whole being daring her to disobey her. Almost pleading with him to give her an excuse to do violence. He must have seen this because he didn't hesitate, scurrying in his desperation to show how fickle his loyalty really was.
When the door closed Kiyomi walked slowly up to the young lord wondering why he hadn't turned, or gave some indication that he knew of her approach. When she reached him she waited. But he never turned. Her lungs contracted with apprehension making it hard to breath. She braced her hand on the wall and walked around to his front and stared him dead in the face, what was left of it . . .
Kiyomi turned away trying not to vomit. He was still alive and functioning and with proper care he would live, possibly a long life. But no woman would ever again find him attractive. For on his face were four holes like finger prints on each cheek, so deep they went past his skin, muscle, and bones enabling Kiyomi to see into his mouth. Around each small hole the skin seemed to have been burnt off, as she stared in horror he turned to her, saliva oozed out of some of the holes. His jaws worked, he was trying to say something . . .
Very gross way to end a chapter huh? well tell me what you think of the story so far, I'm interested. :)