Chapter 6
"Miko what have you done to the youkai?" Sesshoumaru asked, stepping into the line of vision of the group.
"Sesshoumaru . . ." This was said in unison by all in Inu Yasha's clique.
Sesshoumaru was pleased by their fear, but as always he had no time for them, the Miko hadn't answered his question.
"Miko, what have you done to the youkai?" He hated repeating himself.
Kagome was confused, "Me, I did nothing, the youkai was frozen when we got here." She hadn't even looked away from the young girl in her arms. 'She's trembling and she's hot to the touch. Somehow I don't think that's a good heat, I have to get her to some shelter, she's sick. I wonder what she did to that youkai.'
"Sesshoumaru . . . what are you doing here, coming back for me to finish the ass wippin' I gave you last time?" Everyone groaned at Inu Yasha's words. The hanyou couldn't be quiet for once, could he?
"Inu Yasha, try not to anger me further, you are on my land and for that alone I should kill where you stand."
This shut the hanyou up for a little while not because of the content of the words, not because of the level glare that his brother wore, not even because of the tree he was now pinned too, but because for the first time, ever, Sesshoumaru looked like he really would kill him and that he'd enjoy it immensely.
"Sesshoumaru!" Kagome was looking around for the arrow she'd dropped, the young woman momentarily forgotten. She stopped her search when it appeared that the girl had snapped out of her daze, she was now staring at Sesshoumaru in horror. Kagome followed the direction of her gaze a thousand thoughts racing through her mind. Mostly ways she could save Inu Yasha but also thoughts of how to get this girl to keep from bolting in fear of Sesshoumaru or worse try to freeze him like she had done the other youkai.
She didn't have much time to formulate a plan however, because the girl was on her feet walking toward the fighting brothers. 'Oh no she's going to try to freeze them!' Kagome started after the girl when a blinding light flashed before her eyes and there standing before her was an angel, wings and all. Kagome shook her head and rubbed her eyes, and when she looked again she saw nothing out of the ordinary about the girl, no graceful wings flowing from her back. But in the instant that she saw those wings she had been convinced for life, no matter what happened, that they were there hidden for some unknown reason.
Sesshoumaru heard someone coming up behind him, smelled the sweet scent he had tried so hard to forget, and felt annoyance. He was annoyed with the scent because it had, without his permission, cooled the fire of his anger toward his brother. He threw Inu Yasha down and turned sharply, trying to give the impression of hatred and impatience to the miniature human girl. It worked for all but her, everyone even that little kitsune runt rushed forward to stop him from breaking her neck. Then they stopped in wonder as she stepped forward close enough now to touch him without having to strain and laid her hand gently on his chest. She looked up at his face for a long time and then her face screwed up and her eyes began to glisten.
The youkai lord had a serious predicament on his hands, he looked around frantically to see who he could give the leaky human to. He saw Inu Yasha and the monk, each wore an expression of both astonishment and sympathy. They were sympathetic but they weren't stupid. They were backing away from the girl distancing themselves from the scene. The females weren't much help either. Kagome looked content to let him suffer through this and Sango also seemed to enjoy his discomfort. Sesshoumaru growled at all of them, his teeth bared and coupled with his continued unflappable expression it was even more terrifying.
He should have kept the growl to himself however, because it caused the girl to burst into tears she may have otherwise controlled and she wrapped both arms around him fiercely, then she fainted. Sesshoumaru caught her before she hit the ground and was shocked at how hot her skin was. It wasn't that powerful heat he had felt when she dreamed but a weak heat a sick heat. He could smell the sickness now that he was no longer distracted. She needed treatment immediately, he wasn't sure he could bring her back a second time.
Sesshoumaru picked the girl up in his arms.
"Miko, you have some experience with healing." It was a statement not a question. It suited his purposes that she had healing experience so that was the way it must be. He didn't wait for Kagome's nod of agreement. "Heal her."
The only thing that kept Kagome from risking her life by telling Sesshoumaru what she thought of his high-handedness was the fact that he cared enough to demand. Also the girl really needed her help.
"We don't have time to be playing no nurse-maid to no weak human girl. We have jewel shards to find. Come on Kagome." This, of course, was said by none other than the hanyou himself.
"Inu Yasha, she needs our help." Kagome said with an I'm-putting-my-foot-down tone in her voice.
"You can't be serious, I ain't no do-gooder." Inu Yasha took on his fighting stance sticking his face in Kagome's.
"That's for sure, I think she has Pneumonia." Kagome shot back.
"What's that supposed to mean?! And if she has Pneumonia that's all the more reason to leave, she's gonna die anyway, no one lives through Pneumonia."
They were having two arguments now and unknown to them Sesshoumaru was getting highly pissed. His eyes began to glow red and the rest of the Inu Yasha group was slowly backing away.
"Uh . . . guys I think you better wrap up this argument." Miroku broke through their fight.
"What are you yappin' about Miroku!" Inu Yasha snapped.
Miroku pointed at Sesshoumaru. "It appears that your youkai relative has had enough."
Kagome and Inu Yasha turned around to see the demon lords eyes glowing brightly even in the sunlight.
"Inu Yasha, we're going." Kagome whispered not taking her eyes off Sesshoumaru.
"Feh." They all took this as agreement. Even Sesshoumaru calmed down . . . a little. He didn't have time for this.
"One of us is going." Inu Yasha mumbled.
"Actually you're right, you are going, but first you have to take me home."
"WHAT!" Inu Yasha bellowed, "nothing doing."
"Inu Yasha, you have to take me back-"
This time Sesshoumaru's growl was more like a roar. He really didn't want to have to kill them, but he could have found another miko by now, he wouldn't waist another minute with them and if Rin died they both would follow her.
He turned around and prepared for flight making sure Rin was secure.
"Sesshoumaru!"
Sesshoumaru ignored the miko called Kagome.
"Sesshoumaru, if you don't let me tend her she will surely die."
"I have had enough of this foolishness, I will trust what you say is true. I am taking Rin to my castle in the Western Lands. Inu Yasha knows the way, be there before the sun sets or after I find a miko to see to Rin I will hunt you and I will kill you." He departed.
"So much for gratitude. Inu Yasha will you take me home?"
"What for, it doesn't matter what that jerk says her can't kill you when you're with me."
"Oh Inu Yasha." Kagome just turned to Sango and Miroku. "I know it's a lot to ask, but could you guys go ahead without Inu Yasha and me, to the outskirts of Sesshoumaru's castle. I suppose Inu Yasha can wait with me since I need to act quickly."
"Sure Kagome, we'll be there by the time you and Inu Yasha get back." Sango assured her giving Kagome a quick hug.
"Come on Inu Yasha." Kagome climbed onto his back.
"Feh, you're too nice Kagome, and we're not staying long just long enough for you to heal the wench and then we're gone. Got it?!"
"Yeah." was her only reply.
*********************************
Sesshoumaru paced to the window. The sun was almost down and the miko and his brother were no where to be found. He had been told by his castle guards that there were two unknown humans just outside the castle walls. They hadn't tried to approach and were simply waiting for something. Sesshoumaru had no intention of investigating he had a feeling that they belonged to the group Inu Yasha traveled with. This gave him hope that the miko was still coming.
He turned away from the window and crossed the short distance to Rin. He had heard of this disease the humans called Pneumonia. None of the people that had gotten the disease had improved they all died within a month, often times less than a week. He didn't like this at all. Sesshoumaru bent over the human girl and touched a hand to her forehead. It was the hand that had been injured by Inu Yasha and as he touched her head the heat from her body traveled down his arm and soothed the muscles. He could feel the kneading of her power and he could see the glow surrounding his arm. This was no ordinary human, he should have known from the start. She was completely different from any being he had come in contact with, be it human or youkai.
"My lord," Jaken came running into the room, he was panting. "My lord that insufferable brother of yours is at the castle gates, demanding to be let in. He has several humans with him."
"Let them in Jaken." Sesshoumaru hadn't turned, he still watched Rin closely, not missing her fading heartbeat and clammy skin.
"Aye Me lord."
No sooner had Jaken departed than Inu Yasha and Kagome entered. Sesshoumaru was completely composed by then, standing stiffly in the far corner.
"What is this about Sesshoumaru? You ask for Kagome's help then you have your minions try to kill us at the front gate?"
"Inu Yasha shh . . . if you're going to argue do it outside!" Kagome dragged her full backpack over to the girl's bedside.
"I'm gonna need Sango's help if I am to heal her, can you go get her Inu Yasha?"
He sent a suspicious look over in Sesshoumaru's direction. He was met with stony silence. "Yeah sure, whatever."
"It wasn't wise of you to send him away wench."
"My name's Kagome."
Sesshoumaru just stared at her, why would she mention something so irrelevant?
"You told me before that you did nothing to the youkai in the forest. Are you aware of what happen?"
Kagome glanced up from the spreading out the materials she needed on the small side table.
"I don't know exactly what happened, We heard a scream and when we went in the direction it came from we ran into this young girl. She was going on and on about a youkai and a brave young girl. We could barely understand a word she was saying and she ran off before we could get the entire story from her, but we figured the girl that came to her rescue might need some help. When we arrived there was a strong light and we couldn't see anything for a while when we looked again there was this girl." Kagome nodded to Rin, she had resumed what she was doing unnerved by the intensity that Sesshoumaru was paying to her words. "She was just standing there looking at this youkai who was right in front of her, the youkai frozen to that spot. She never saw us, not even when she fell to her knees looking at her hands as if they didn't belong to her. She didn't see us when she snapped out of her trance either, because she just looked at you. She seemed to know you. Do you know her name? Or who she is, where she comes from?"
Kagome received no answer from the austere youkai lord.
"Kagome, what do you need me for?" Sango walked into the room Inu Yasha and Miroku hot on her heels.
"I need some help undressing her first."
"I can help with that, what you need are some strong male arms to support her." Miroku offered with a lascivious grin on his face.
He started forward and ran into a brick wall otherwise known as Sesshoumaru. He grabbed Miroku by the neck and began squeezing slightly.
Inu Yasha, who had been waiting for just this moment, drew his sword. "Put him down Sesshoumaru."
Sesshoumaru ignored this and savored the feel of the monks neck underneath his hand. He resisted the urge to let his poison claws melt away the human's flesh, his intention wasn't to kill the human, this was just a warning. He began walking to the door, he felt Inu Yasha behind him and knew what he was thinking. Sesshoumaru opened the door and before Inu Yasha had made up his mind rather or not to attack he tossed the monk out of the room and into the hall. He turned to Inu Yasha, his icy gold eyes sending a message. "Walk out or be thrown out the choice is yours Inu Yasha."
Inu Yasha just glared at his older brother, refusing to back down.
Kagome decide to speak up. "This isn't a battle field Inu Yasha, I promise I'll call you if I need you."
It took a while for Kagome to realize that Sesshoumaru wasn't going anywhere.
"Sesshoumaru . . . uh . . . it would probably be best if you were to leave."
"I stay here human." The statement was short and to the point his stance immovable.
Kagome opened her mouth to argue some more but Sango caught her eye and shook her head. Something about the way Sango was looking alerted Kagome that something was seriously wrong. She rushed over to where the girl lay deathly still against the covers. She put her hand on her forehead and promptly jerked it back this was not good. Kagome pushed past Sango kneeling before her bag she pulled out her thermometer.
Sesshoumaru came closer not understanding what had caused the miko to panic. He stared at the thing in her hand, it looked more like a weapon than a healing tool. The miko wouldn't be so dumb as to try and kill Rin in front of him would she?
Kagome pried the girls mouth open and stuck the thermometer under the girls dry tongue, she could feel Sesshoumaru right behind her and prayed he wouldn't jump to conclusions or ask questions. If her hunch was right this girl didn't have the time it would take her to explain. Sesshoumaru must have sensed that because he just watched. The thermometer beeped startling both Sesshoumaru and Sango. Though Sesshoumaru hid it well.
Kagome hurriedly pulled the medical instrument out of the girls mouth and checked it. She gasped it was 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit, she turned to Sango then changed her mind and turned to Sesshoumaru. They didn't have enough time for her and Sango to try and drag the girl to the nearest cool lake. It would have to be Sesshoumaru, and knowing his attitude toward humans she hoped he wouldn't object.
"What is it miko." reading and smelling her anxiety with no trouble. It was making him feel an unusual and an uncomfortable amount of urgency.
"Normal human body temperature is 98.6, regular fever is 100 to 102. She's 103.5 104 and there starts to be permanent problems 105 and you're dead. We have to get temperature down immediately or she won't live through the hour." Kagome was saying all this as she was pulling back the covers. "we have to get her to a cold pond somewhere, it has to be close by. Me and Sango may not be able to-" She didn't have to go on Sesshoumaru had Rin up in his arms and was nearly out the door.
"There's a pond in the back garden." He was gone.
There was no time to waste Kagome grabbed her bag and ran for the pond.
When they arrived Sesshoumaru had already strip the young girl of all her clothes. He appeared to be hesitating and Kagome realized he was wondering if this really was a good idea. No time for hesitation.
"You must put her in the water. Submerge her completely the first time, then we have to keep her head above the water while we bathe the heat from her body."
Still Sesshoumaru hesitated, then suddenly he dropped the girl in the water.
Pain.
The water felt like a thousand little needles, all pricking her at once forming themselves into one great stab that seem to reach her very soul. Rin opened her eyes and then opened her mouth trying to gasp air and . . .
"Aelan, sweety come away from the water." A'Marie hauled the basket of small rocks up onto her shoulder. Three years had passed since the capture and destruction of Atlantis. Despite all their threats the rebel soldiers had found and captured less than a third of the scattered Atlantians.
A'Marie glanced at her daughter. Soon, too soon, things would change drastically for young Aelan. She became stronger everyday, she was now stronger than most Atlantian adults. She had also become the sweetheart among the Atlantians who were not rebels. They were as loyal and protective to her as they were to Alaric, A'Marie's beloved husband, whom the Atlantians still considered king. Even though, now he was as much a slave as the rest of them.
Slaves, she never thought she would see the day that the proud Atlantians would be slaves to anyone let alone their own people. Oh she had seen, had the vision. But in this they had been vague, still maybe she could have . . .
A'Marie shook her head, no, she knew with this gift came a certain loneliness. She couldn't tell anyone the future, it would be too disastrous.
"Aelan?" A'Marie looked behind her. It wasn't like Aelan to ignore the first call of her mother, she was such a good child, A'Marie was very proud. Aelan hadn't moved from her spot where she knelt by the small lake, her tiny wings bent in concentration. A'Marie drop the heavy load from her back and walked over to her, Something was on her young daughter's mind something important. There was no way she could ignore it, especially since she had so little time . . .
"Aelan?"
Aelan looked over at her, her small dark eyes shinning with vulnerability and hard with determination.
"What is it Aelan?" She asked gently, now concerned.
Aelan climbed into her lap.
"Mama?"
"Yes."
"You and daddy . . ."
"Go on."
"You and daddy don't love each other?"
"Why would you think that Aelan?"
"You are never together anymore, daddy he isn't around."
"Oh sweety, your father and I love each other more than life."
"Then . . ." Aelan looked more confused than ever.
A'Marie bit her lip, how could you explain slavery to a child? How could you explain that daddy wasn't with them because he had to work day and most of night and that when he wasn't working he was probably being tortured for information? You couldn't and even if you could there was no time.
"Me and your father will love each other to the ends of this earth, whether we are together at all times or not. But hopefully one day, we will be together always."
Aelan studied A'Marie's face intently. Then seemingly satisfied she smiled, she lifted her hand and presented a flower to her mother.
"Will I love someone that much one day mama?"
"I hope so sweety, now lets get back to work, we've been gone too long we don't want them to come looking for us do we?"
Aelan shook her head her eyes wide and fearful.
A'Marie grabbed the basket of rocks and Aelan grabbed her small bundle and then they began walking toward the slavery establishment. It was time for their afternoon meal. They deposited the rocks in the designated area and walked over to the long tables. They were intercepted a foot away from their seats.
"The master demands to see your child. And you mistress have an appointment. With the clippers, it's been too long since your wings were last clipped."
A'Marie paled, there was nothing worst than having her wings clipped. It was cruel for the rebels to do this to the Atlantians all of which had their wings clipped on a consistent basis.
"Why does your master wish to see my child?" Her voice was strong and clear, she was a queen and this man was nothing but a filthy traitor she would show him no weakness.
"He is your master as well, you would do well to remember that, along with learning respect that what he wishes will not be questioned."
"He will never be my master. I do not follow blindly, certainly not to an idiot traitor who decided to name himself ruler." She shouldn't provoke the rebel but she was desperately trying to distract him from thoughts of taking her child. It was almost time and if they got their hands on her then it was over.
"Enough woman, tell me the location of the child or I shall strike you down."
"Then strike me down, why do you hesitate, anything is better than living under your masters rule."
Aelan began to whimper.
*Shh Aelan be silent. Don't speak. Whatever you do don't make a sound.* she sent the message straight to her daughters brain. They didn't know her daughter was behind her. Not yet.
The rebel stepped closer and slapped her hard against the face. Normally this would have sent her to the ground. As it was only A'Marie's will power and perhaps the strength she had attained during her capture allowed her to keep her footing while still keeping Aelan behind her.
The man slapped her again. There was a disturbance in the crowd and Alaric burst through. He looked terrible, the last three years had not been kind to him. He was thinner more haggard, his eyes were sunken with a permanent haunted look residing in their depths. These last few years he had been pushed to his limit and seeing A'Marie brutalized triggered something and Alaric lost what control he had, attacking the rebel soldier. Sending him to the ground he fell on top of him pounding the soldier uncontrollably.
Aelan trembled and flinched, there was too much pain surrounding her at once. All of a sudden she could feel everyone's pain. The pain of clipped wings the pain of spirits too long in captivity. They were Atlantians they must be free. A'Marie looked at her daughter and saw what the others could not see yet.
Aelan was glowing.
*How long will this go on?*
*I can't take this much longer.*
*Please just let me die, let me die before he comes to me again tonight.*
*I'm an old man, I shouldn't have to do this. My back aches, my feet ache, my fingers, my shoulders . . .*
*I have to get my wings clipped again, my worse nightmare come true. I . . . I . . . I don't know if I can hold back the screams this time. But they said if I make any noise this time they'd take them off completely.*
*My poor baby, my sweet baby, she's just a child why should she suffer this?*
This last sounded like her mother. Aelan looked around, no one spoke, but it was unmistakably the voices of the Atlantians that she was hearing. Could she hear their thoughts?
Aelan glanced at her mother helplessly. But her mother couldn't help her, as she stood there her mother and her father were being surrounded by the rebel soldiers. She watched as they pulled back her mother's clothing and leered. She watched as some of them pulled a knife and approached her father. She watched her mother stop struggling and look over to her father in horror heard in silence her mother's scream and saw in slow motion the knife descend toward her father's chest.
Her small body jerked grabbing the soldiers' attention. She was glowing brightly from head to toe and her eyes were glazed over with an unnatural pink light. She rose into the air her legs extended to the breaking point and her arms flung behind her. She looked like she was being stretched on a rack bur her expression was peaceful. Light shot from every part of her miniature body and soon the entire courtyard was consumed by a magnificent light. Every rebel within a 3 mile radius died, all Atlantians were healed from of their physical ailments and gifted with a peace they couldn't begin to understand. But The master of the rebels also called Akuji, and a handful of his most trusted minions including Amos still lived. And the young girl Aelan had disappeared.
************************
"She's over the worst now." Kagome came out wiping her face with the towel. Sango walking slowly behind her.
"Where's Sesshoumaru? He demanded that I tell him when she got over the fever."
"I thought he was in the room with you." Inu Yasha was the one who spoke.
"He was but then she started to get really bad . . ."
"The screams were unbearable to hear, I have a feeling she hasn't used her voice much, the screams were too raw." Sango shook with the memory of the girls agony.
"So Sesshoumaru couldn't stand the heat huh, he had to bail."
"More like he didn't care enough." Miroku observed, but Inu Yasha didn't look convinced. Everything his brother had done in the last twenty-four hours had been unlike him.
"You guys should go get some rest." Kagome sighed, she was so tired. Holding the girl down had been tiring.
"What about you?"
"I'll be there shortly, I just want to check on her one last time and tell a servant to give Sesshoumaru the news."
The gang nodded and walked down the hall toward their sleeping area.
"Miko, how is she?"
Kagome jumped, how long had he been there?
"She's stable, she got worse when you left, but she should be all right."
There was a pause, Kagome couldn't see him that well.
"I suppose you realize that she is no ordinary human?" Kagome asked not really expecting an answer.
"She was the one who froze the youkai." It wasn't a question.
"I don't think that is the extent of her powers. Did you feel the tremor that went throw the castle not too long ago?"
Sesshoumaru had. And he shocked himself by not being surprised that it had come from Rin.
"She should have someone sit with her, perhaps one of your servants and I'll be checking in on her periodically."
Sesshoumaru just nodded and Kagome turned away feeling dismissed.
"Her name is Rin." Kagome paused but didn't look back. She nodded her head in acknowledgment and then kept walking.
Sesshoumaru stared after her and when she disappeared around the corner he turned to Rin's door. He opened it and disappeared inside.
"Miko what have you done to the youkai?" Sesshoumaru asked, stepping into the line of vision of the group.
"Sesshoumaru . . ." This was said in unison by all in Inu Yasha's clique.
Sesshoumaru was pleased by their fear, but as always he had no time for them, the Miko hadn't answered his question.
"Miko, what have you done to the youkai?" He hated repeating himself.
Kagome was confused, "Me, I did nothing, the youkai was frozen when we got here." She hadn't even looked away from the young girl in her arms. 'She's trembling and she's hot to the touch. Somehow I don't think that's a good heat, I have to get her to some shelter, she's sick. I wonder what she did to that youkai.'
"Sesshoumaru . . . what are you doing here, coming back for me to finish the ass wippin' I gave you last time?" Everyone groaned at Inu Yasha's words. The hanyou couldn't be quiet for once, could he?
"Inu Yasha, try not to anger me further, you are on my land and for that alone I should kill where you stand."
This shut the hanyou up for a little while not because of the content of the words, not because of the level glare that his brother wore, not even because of the tree he was now pinned too, but because for the first time, ever, Sesshoumaru looked like he really would kill him and that he'd enjoy it immensely.
"Sesshoumaru!" Kagome was looking around for the arrow she'd dropped, the young woman momentarily forgotten. She stopped her search when it appeared that the girl had snapped out of her daze, she was now staring at Sesshoumaru in horror. Kagome followed the direction of her gaze a thousand thoughts racing through her mind. Mostly ways she could save Inu Yasha but also thoughts of how to get this girl to keep from bolting in fear of Sesshoumaru or worse try to freeze him like she had done the other youkai.
She didn't have much time to formulate a plan however, because the girl was on her feet walking toward the fighting brothers. 'Oh no she's going to try to freeze them!' Kagome started after the girl when a blinding light flashed before her eyes and there standing before her was an angel, wings and all. Kagome shook her head and rubbed her eyes, and when she looked again she saw nothing out of the ordinary about the girl, no graceful wings flowing from her back. But in the instant that she saw those wings she had been convinced for life, no matter what happened, that they were there hidden for some unknown reason.
Sesshoumaru heard someone coming up behind him, smelled the sweet scent he had tried so hard to forget, and felt annoyance. He was annoyed with the scent because it had, without his permission, cooled the fire of his anger toward his brother. He threw Inu Yasha down and turned sharply, trying to give the impression of hatred and impatience to the miniature human girl. It worked for all but her, everyone even that little kitsune runt rushed forward to stop him from breaking her neck. Then they stopped in wonder as she stepped forward close enough now to touch him without having to strain and laid her hand gently on his chest. She looked up at his face for a long time and then her face screwed up and her eyes began to glisten.
The youkai lord had a serious predicament on his hands, he looked around frantically to see who he could give the leaky human to. He saw Inu Yasha and the monk, each wore an expression of both astonishment and sympathy. They were sympathetic but they weren't stupid. They were backing away from the girl distancing themselves from the scene. The females weren't much help either. Kagome looked content to let him suffer through this and Sango also seemed to enjoy his discomfort. Sesshoumaru growled at all of them, his teeth bared and coupled with his continued unflappable expression it was even more terrifying.
He should have kept the growl to himself however, because it caused the girl to burst into tears she may have otherwise controlled and she wrapped both arms around him fiercely, then she fainted. Sesshoumaru caught her before she hit the ground and was shocked at how hot her skin was. It wasn't that powerful heat he had felt when she dreamed but a weak heat a sick heat. He could smell the sickness now that he was no longer distracted. She needed treatment immediately, he wasn't sure he could bring her back a second time.
Sesshoumaru picked the girl up in his arms.
"Miko, you have some experience with healing." It was a statement not a question. It suited his purposes that she had healing experience so that was the way it must be. He didn't wait for Kagome's nod of agreement. "Heal her."
The only thing that kept Kagome from risking her life by telling Sesshoumaru what she thought of his high-handedness was the fact that he cared enough to demand. Also the girl really needed her help.
"We don't have time to be playing no nurse-maid to no weak human girl. We have jewel shards to find. Come on Kagome." This, of course, was said by none other than the hanyou himself.
"Inu Yasha, she needs our help." Kagome said with an I'm-putting-my-foot-down tone in her voice.
"You can't be serious, I ain't no do-gooder." Inu Yasha took on his fighting stance sticking his face in Kagome's.
"That's for sure, I think she has Pneumonia." Kagome shot back.
"What's that supposed to mean?! And if she has Pneumonia that's all the more reason to leave, she's gonna die anyway, no one lives through Pneumonia."
They were having two arguments now and unknown to them Sesshoumaru was getting highly pissed. His eyes began to glow red and the rest of the Inu Yasha group was slowly backing away.
"Uh . . . guys I think you better wrap up this argument." Miroku broke through their fight.
"What are you yappin' about Miroku!" Inu Yasha snapped.
Miroku pointed at Sesshoumaru. "It appears that your youkai relative has had enough."
Kagome and Inu Yasha turned around to see the demon lords eyes glowing brightly even in the sunlight.
"Inu Yasha, we're going." Kagome whispered not taking her eyes off Sesshoumaru.
"Feh." They all took this as agreement. Even Sesshoumaru calmed down . . . a little. He didn't have time for this.
"One of us is going." Inu Yasha mumbled.
"Actually you're right, you are going, but first you have to take me home."
"WHAT!" Inu Yasha bellowed, "nothing doing."
"Inu Yasha, you have to take me back-"
This time Sesshoumaru's growl was more like a roar. He really didn't want to have to kill them, but he could have found another miko by now, he wouldn't waist another minute with them and if Rin died they both would follow her.
He turned around and prepared for flight making sure Rin was secure.
"Sesshoumaru!"
Sesshoumaru ignored the miko called Kagome.
"Sesshoumaru, if you don't let me tend her she will surely die."
"I have had enough of this foolishness, I will trust what you say is true. I am taking Rin to my castle in the Western Lands. Inu Yasha knows the way, be there before the sun sets or after I find a miko to see to Rin I will hunt you and I will kill you." He departed.
"So much for gratitude. Inu Yasha will you take me home?"
"What for, it doesn't matter what that jerk says her can't kill you when you're with me."
"Oh Inu Yasha." Kagome just turned to Sango and Miroku. "I know it's a lot to ask, but could you guys go ahead without Inu Yasha and me, to the outskirts of Sesshoumaru's castle. I suppose Inu Yasha can wait with me since I need to act quickly."
"Sure Kagome, we'll be there by the time you and Inu Yasha get back." Sango assured her giving Kagome a quick hug.
"Come on Inu Yasha." Kagome climbed onto his back.
"Feh, you're too nice Kagome, and we're not staying long just long enough for you to heal the wench and then we're gone. Got it?!"
"Yeah." was her only reply.
*********************************
Sesshoumaru paced to the window. The sun was almost down and the miko and his brother were no where to be found. He had been told by his castle guards that there were two unknown humans just outside the castle walls. They hadn't tried to approach and were simply waiting for something. Sesshoumaru had no intention of investigating he had a feeling that they belonged to the group Inu Yasha traveled with. This gave him hope that the miko was still coming.
He turned away from the window and crossed the short distance to Rin. He had heard of this disease the humans called Pneumonia. None of the people that had gotten the disease had improved they all died within a month, often times less than a week. He didn't like this at all. Sesshoumaru bent over the human girl and touched a hand to her forehead. It was the hand that had been injured by Inu Yasha and as he touched her head the heat from her body traveled down his arm and soothed the muscles. He could feel the kneading of her power and he could see the glow surrounding his arm. This was no ordinary human, he should have known from the start. She was completely different from any being he had come in contact with, be it human or youkai.
"My lord," Jaken came running into the room, he was panting. "My lord that insufferable brother of yours is at the castle gates, demanding to be let in. He has several humans with him."
"Let them in Jaken." Sesshoumaru hadn't turned, he still watched Rin closely, not missing her fading heartbeat and clammy skin.
"Aye Me lord."
No sooner had Jaken departed than Inu Yasha and Kagome entered. Sesshoumaru was completely composed by then, standing stiffly in the far corner.
"What is this about Sesshoumaru? You ask for Kagome's help then you have your minions try to kill us at the front gate?"
"Inu Yasha shh . . . if you're going to argue do it outside!" Kagome dragged her full backpack over to the girl's bedside.
"I'm gonna need Sango's help if I am to heal her, can you go get her Inu Yasha?"
He sent a suspicious look over in Sesshoumaru's direction. He was met with stony silence. "Yeah sure, whatever."
"It wasn't wise of you to send him away wench."
"My name's Kagome."
Sesshoumaru just stared at her, why would she mention something so irrelevant?
"You told me before that you did nothing to the youkai in the forest. Are you aware of what happen?"
Kagome glanced up from the spreading out the materials she needed on the small side table.
"I don't know exactly what happened, We heard a scream and when we went in the direction it came from we ran into this young girl. She was going on and on about a youkai and a brave young girl. We could barely understand a word she was saying and she ran off before we could get the entire story from her, but we figured the girl that came to her rescue might need some help. When we arrived there was a strong light and we couldn't see anything for a while when we looked again there was this girl." Kagome nodded to Rin, she had resumed what she was doing unnerved by the intensity that Sesshoumaru was paying to her words. "She was just standing there looking at this youkai who was right in front of her, the youkai frozen to that spot. She never saw us, not even when she fell to her knees looking at her hands as if they didn't belong to her. She didn't see us when she snapped out of her trance either, because she just looked at you. She seemed to know you. Do you know her name? Or who she is, where she comes from?"
Kagome received no answer from the austere youkai lord.
"Kagome, what do you need me for?" Sango walked into the room Inu Yasha and Miroku hot on her heels.
"I need some help undressing her first."
"I can help with that, what you need are some strong male arms to support her." Miroku offered with a lascivious grin on his face.
He started forward and ran into a brick wall otherwise known as Sesshoumaru. He grabbed Miroku by the neck and began squeezing slightly.
Inu Yasha, who had been waiting for just this moment, drew his sword. "Put him down Sesshoumaru."
Sesshoumaru ignored this and savored the feel of the monks neck underneath his hand. He resisted the urge to let his poison claws melt away the human's flesh, his intention wasn't to kill the human, this was just a warning. He began walking to the door, he felt Inu Yasha behind him and knew what he was thinking. Sesshoumaru opened the door and before Inu Yasha had made up his mind rather or not to attack he tossed the monk out of the room and into the hall. He turned to Inu Yasha, his icy gold eyes sending a message. "Walk out or be thrown out the choice is yours Inu Yasha."
Inu Yasha just glared at his older brother, refusing to back down.
Kagome decide to speak up. "This isn't a battle field Inu Yasha, I promise I'll call you if I need you."
It took a while for Kagome to realize that Sesshoumaru wasn't going anywhere.
"Sesshoumaru . . . uh . . . it would probably be best if you were to leave."
"I stay here human." The statement was short and to the point his stance immovable.
Kagome opened her mouth to argue some more but Sango caught her eye and shook her head. Something about the way Sango was looking alerted Kagome that something was seriously wrong. She rushed over to where the girl lay deathly still against the covers. She put her hand on her forehead and promptly jerked it back this was not good. Kagome pushed past Sango kneeling before her bag she pulled out her thermometer.
Sesshoumaru came closer not understanding what had caused the miko to panic. He stared at the thing in her hand, it looked more like a weapon than a healing tool. The miko wouldn't be so dumb as to try and kill Rin in front of him would she?
Kagome pried the girls mouth open and stuck the thermometer under the girls dry tongue, she could feel Sesshoumaru right behind her and prayed he wouldn't jump to conclusions or ask questions. If her hunch was right this girl didn't have the time it would take her to explain. Sesshoumaru must have sensed that because he just watched. The thermometer beeped startling both Sesshoumaru and Sango. Though Sesshoumaru hid it well.
Kagome hurriedly pulled the medical instrument out of the girls mouth and checked it. She gasped it was 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit, she turned to Sango then changed her mind and turned to Sesshoumaru. They didn't have enough time for her and Sango to try and drag the girl to the nearest cool lake. It would have to be Sesshoumaru, and knowing his attitude toward humans she hoped he wouldn't object.
"What is it miko." reading and smelling her anxiety with no trouble. It was making him feel an unusual and an uncomfortable amount of urgency.
"Normal human body temperature is 98.6, regular fever is 100 to 102. She's 103.5 104 and there starts to be permanent problems 105 and you're dead. We have to get temperature down immediately or she won't live through the hour." Kagome was saying all this as she was pulling back the covers. "we have to get her to a cold pond somewhere, it has to be close by. Me and Sango may not be able to-" She didn't have to go on Sesshoumaru had Rin up in his arms and was nearly out the door.
"There's a pond in the back garden." He was gone.
There was no time to waste Kagome grabbed her bag and ran for the pond.
When they arrived Sesshoumaru had already strip the young girl of all her clothes. He appeared to be hesitating and Kagome realized he was wondering if this really was a good idea. No time for hesitation.
"You must put her in the water. Submerge her completely the first time, then we have to keep her head above the water while we bathe the heat from her body."
Still Sesshoumaru hesitated, then suddenly he dropped the girl in the water.
Pain.
The water felt like a thousand little needles, all pricking her at once forming themselves into one great stab that seem to reach her very soul. Rin opened her eyes and then opened her mouth trying to gasp air and . . .
"Aelan, sweety come away from the water." A'Marie hauled the basket of small rocks up onto her shoulder. Three years had passed since the capture and destruction of Atlantis. Despite all their threats the rebel soldiers had found and captured less than a third of the scattered Atlantians.
A'Marie glanced at her daughter. Soon, too soon, things would change drastically for young Aelan. She became stronger everyday, she was now stronger than most Atlantian adults. She had also become the sweetheart among the Atlantians who were not rebels. They were as loyal and protective to her as they were to Alaric, A'Marie's beloved husband, whom the Atlantians still considered king. Even though, now he was as much a slave as the rest of them.
Slaves, she never thought she would see the day that the proud Atlantians would be slaves to anyone let alone their own people. Oh she had seen, had the vision. But in this they had been vague, still maybe she could have . . .
A'Marie shook her head, no, she knew with this gift came a certain loneliness. She couldn't tell anyone the future, it would be too disastrous.
"Aelan?" A'Marie looked behind her. It wasn't like Aelan to ignore the first call of her mother, she was such a good child, A'Marie was very proud. Aelan hadn't moved from her spot where she knelt by the small lake, her tiny wings bent in concentration. A'Marie drop the heavy load from her back and walked over to her, Something was on her young daughter's mind something important. There was no way she could ignore it, especially since she had so little time . . .
"Aelan?"
Aelan looked over at her, her small dark eyes shinning with vulnerability and hard with determination.
"What is it Aelan?" She asked gently, now concerned.
Aelan climbed into her lap.
"Mama?"
"Yes."
"You and daddy . . ."
"Go on."
"You and daddy don't love each other?"
"Why would you think that Aelan?"
"You are never together anymore, daddy he isn't around."
"Oh sweety, your father and I love each other more than life."
"Then . . ." Aelan looked more confused than ever.
A'Marie bit her lip, how could you explain slavery to a child? How could you explain that daddy wasn't with them because he had to work day and most of night and that when he wasn't working he was probably being tortured for information? You couldn't and even if you could there was no time.
"Me and your father will love each other to the ends of this earth, whether we are together at all times or not. But hopefully one day, we will be together always."
Aelan studied A'Marie's face intently. Then seemingly satisfied she smiled, she lifted her hand and presented a flower to her mother.
"Will I love someone that much one day mama?"
"I hope so sweety, now lets get back to work, we've been gone too long we don't want them to come looking for us do we?"
Aelan shook her head her eyes wide and fearful.
A'Marie grabbed the basket of rocks and Aelan grabbed her small bundle and then they began walking toward the slavery establishment. It was time for their afternoon meal. They deposited the rocks in the designated area and walked over to the long tables. They were intercepted a foot away from their seats.
"The master demands to see your child. And you mistress have an appointment. With the clippers, it's been too long since your wings were last clipped."
A'Marie paled, there was nothing worst than having her wings clipped. It was cruel for the rebels to do this to the Atlantians all of which had their wings clipped on a consistent basis.
"Why does your master wish to see my child?" Her voice was strong and clear, she was a queen and this man was nothing but a filthy traitor she would show him no weakness.
"He is your master as well, you would do well to remember that, along with learning respect that what he wishes will not be questioned."
"He will never be my master. I do not follow blindly, certainly not to an idiot traitor who decided to name himself ruler." She shouldn't provoke the rebel but she was desperately trying to distract him from thoughts of taking her child. It was almost time and if they got their hands on her then it was over.
"Enough woman, tell me the location of the child or I shall strike you down."
"Then strike me down, why do you hesitate, anything is better than living under your masters rule."
Aelan began to whimper.
*Shh Aelan be silent. Don't speak. Whatever you do don't make a sound.* she sent the message straight to her daughters brain. They didn't know her daughter was behind her. Not yet.
The rebel stepped closer and slapped her hard against the face. Normally this would have sent her to the ground. As it was only A'Marie's will power and perhaps the strength she had attained during her capture allowed her to keep her footing while still keeping Aelan behind her.
The man slapped her again. There was a disturbance in the crowd and Alaric burst through. He looked terrible, the last three years had not been kind to him. He was thinner more haggard, his eyes were sunken with a permanent haunted look residing in their depths. These last few years he had been pushed to his limit and seeing A'Marie brutalized triggered something and Alaric lost what control he had, attacking the rebel soldier. Sending him to the ground he fell on top of him pounding the soldier uncontrollably.
Aelan trembled and flinched, there was too much pain surrounding her at once. All of a sudden she could feel everyone's pain. The pain of clipped wings the pain of spirits too long in captivity. They were Atlantians they must be free. A'Marie looked at her daughter and saw what the others could not see yet.
Aelan was glowing.
*How long will this go on?*
*I can't take this much longer.*
*Please just let me die, let me die before he comes to me again tonight.*
*I'm an old man, I shouldn't have to do this. My back aches, my feet ache, my fingers, my shoulders . . .*
*I have to get my wings clipped again, my worse nightmare come true. I . . . I . . . I don't know if I can hold back the screams this time. But they said if I make any noise this time they'd take them off completely.*
*My poor baby, my sweet baby, she's just a child why should she suffer this?*
This last sounded like her mother. Aelan looked around, no one spoke, but it was unmistakably the voices of the Atlantians that she was hearing. Could she hear their thoughts?
Aelan glanced at her mother helplessly. But her mother couldn't help her, as she stood there her mother and her father were being surrounded by the rebel soldiers. She watched as they pulled back her mother's clothing and leered. She watched as some of them pulled a knife and approached her father. She watched her mother stop struggling and look over to her father in horror heard in silence her mother's scream and saw in slow motion the knife descend toward her father's chest.
Her small body jerked grabbing the soldiers' attention. She was glowing brightly from head to toe and her eyes were glazed over with an unnatural pink light. She rose into the air her legs extended to the breaking point and her arms flung behind her. She looked like she was being stretched on a rack bur her expression was peaceful. Light shot from every part of her miniature body and soon the entire courtyard was consumed by a magnificent light. Every rebel within a 3 mile radius died, all Atlantians were healed from of their physical ailments and gifted with a peace they couldn't begin to understand. But The master of the rebels also called Akuji, and a handful of his most trusted minions including Amos still lived. And the young girl Aelan had disappeared.
************************
"She's over the worst now." Kagome came out wiping her face with the towel. Sango walking slowly behind her.
"Where's Sesshoumaru? He demanded that I tell him when she got over the fever."
"I thought he was in the room with you." Inu Yasha was the one who spoke.
"He was but then she started to get really bad . . ."
"The screams were unbearable to hear, I have a feeling she hasn't used her voice much, the screams were too raw." Sango shook with the memory of the girls agony.
"So Sesshoumaru couldn't stand the heat huh, he had to bail."
"More like he didn't care enough." Miroku observed, but Inu Yasha didn't look convinced. Everything his brother had done in the last twenty-four hours had been unlike him.
"You guys should go get some rest." Kagome sighed, she was so tired. Holding the girl down had been tiring.
"What about you?"
"I'll be there shortly, I just want to check on her one last time and tell a servant to give Sesshoumaru the news."
The gang nodded and walked down the hall toward their sleeping area.
"Miko, how is she?"
Kagome jumped, how long had he been there?
"She's stable, she got worse when you left, but she should be all right."
There was a pause, Kagome couldn't see him that well.
"I suppose you realize that she is no ordinary human?" Kagome asked not really expecting an answer.
"She was the one who froze the youkai." It wasn't a question.
"I don't think that is the extent of her powers. Did you feel the tremor that went throw the castle not too long ago?"
Sesshoumaru had. And he shocked himself by not being surprised that it had come from Rin.
"She should have someone sit with her, perhaps one of your servants and I'll be checking in on her periodically."
Sesshoumaru just nodded and Kagome turned away feeling dismissed.
"Her name is Rin." Kagome paused but didn't look back. She nodded her head in acknowledgment and then kept walking.
Sesshoumaru stared after her and when she disappeared around the corner he turned to Rin's door. He opened it and disappeared inside.