Chapter 8
So I like Van in both the movie and the show. But I think that the Van in the movie is a little tougher than the one in the show. So that's the one I'm writing about.
He hadn't made it in time. And no matter how he looked at the circumstances, it was always his fault. He hadn't realized how much this human life had meant to him. He found himself angry at her for taking this way out of a bad situation. He had thought she was stronger than that. His anger was welcomed and he did everything to fuel it to fury. It covered for a deeper more harmful emotion. Sesshoumaru clenched his teeth, a muscle jumping unchecked in his jaw. It was the first expression to cross his countenance in many years. His anger was not working. Sesshoumaru's hand reached up and touched his chest, he rubbed it absently, trying to soothed the empty pain that had taken up residence in the vicinity of his heart. He never took his eyes from the view of the cliff where Rin had disappeared. The hand on his chest clenched.
His sword had saved the girl once, right? It could damn well do it again, he would have it no other way. He remembered the first time he had saved the girl. He also remembered Tenseiga's hesitation. His fist clenched again his claws digging into his palm and drawing blood. Sesshoumaru looked down at his hands and started. His hands were shaking.
He should have let her go.
If he saved her would he let her go this time?
'Yes I would let her go. I would let her leave me and I would promise myself not to follow her for a week and then I would search for her and bring her back.' He was completely honest with himself.
He was wasting time, the longer she stayed dead, the harder it would be for Tenseiga to bring her back. If . . .
He refused to think about what he would do if he couldn't bring her back to life. He could bring her back, failing was not an option.
He prepared to make for the air when a scent teased his nose. It was Rin's smell, but it wasn't. It was sweeter, softer, and more serene. Was it his imagination? His golden eyes sharpened, his breathing returned to normal, and something very close to desperate hope choked his throat.
His sensitive ears picked up a steady gush of wind. It kept an unusual rhythm and Sesshoumaru turned sharply, hurriedly searching the cliffs. Had he been so tied up in his grief that he hadn't sensed an enemy near?
Grief . . . ? Had that been the emotion that had tightened his chest and made his eyes burn? Why hadn't he seen it before?
Because it was all clear to him now.
And when he saved her, she would have to leave and he would have to let her go.
For good.
He turned his attention to the fast approaching creature. It obviously was not a smart creature. First to come onto his land and then to not even try to mask it's presence. Sesshoumaru's smile was purely evil. He needed to spill blood on this day, he stood straight not needing to crouch into a fighting stance. He drew Toukijin as the creature glided through the huge rift in the earth and promptly froze.
Rin couldn't believe the overwhelming happiness that coursed through her body, her very blood sung with it. When she had first jumped off the cliff she had immediately started to fall her wings had burst out on a reflex she hadn't known she had. It had been painful, very painful, in fact she believed that her blood had stained the red kimono she was wearing. But she knew that this was just a result of keeping them confined for so long. It wouldn't hurt like that again.
She felt like she would burst at any moment, she wished only that she could have shared this with her dearest friend. Still, he probably wouldn't care much. Even this thought didn't darken her spirits. Oh, but she wished to show him that she wasn't just some weak human. But she was, a human, that was what Atlantians were after all, slightly advanced humans. But even if she had physically changed into something more like a youkai than a human, she would have remained the same. If he couldn't like Rin the meager human, then he was shallow and not the taiyoukai she had fallen in love with.
She shook her head and turned around the bend, she was ready to scream with joy, and she could too. She was free from all of her bonds. She filled her lungs about to bellow the first thing that came to her mind when she saw Sesshoumaru facing her Toukijin pointed in her direction.
"SESSHOUMARU-SAMA!!"
Sesshoumaru had never heard anything so ugly and yet so beautiful at the same time. It was plain to anyone that had two working ears the Rin hadn't used her voice in a very long time. Her pronunciation was off on several marks. But Sesshoumaru would never want it any other way. It was the greatest honor for the first thing to come out of this precious creature's mouth to be his name.
But it was not her voice that held Sesshoumaru captive. He had never seen an angel, but what else could she be. The woman before him wasn't Rin. And she couldn't be anyone but Rin at the same time.
"Who are you?" Sesshoumaru asked in a hushed voice as she landed only a few feet in front of him.
Rin took her time, she wanted her words to come out right. She stretched her wings, unconsciously giving Sesshoumaru a glimpse of her massive wing span. Her wings were glorious, the soft pristine white feathers were layered until the longest feathers reached the backs of her ankles, when she folded them behind her back.
Sesshoumaru took the time to study the rest of her, while she composed herself. He was afraid to move, lest this illusion disappear. She looked like Rin, with slight differences. Her hair instead of reaching to her waste, now reached to the backs of her knees. It was also fuller, so were her breast and other parts of her figure. She still kept the sliminess of her waste and other parts of her body, such as her legs, arms, etc. Her eyes though still dark as ebony, became even more mysterious and a pink glow could be seen in the middle of her pupils. Her aura was more prominent and her whole body glowed with a pink light.
A Rin that wasn't Rin, she even smelled similar. Had he been given a second chance? Did this mean that Rin was truly gone? He, Sesshoumaru would have nothing to do with this impostor. Be she second chance or not. Sesshoumaru took no second best, Rin would always be an original, there was no replacing her. He glared at the woman, whoever she was, she was intruding, he needed to find Rin.
"Sesshoumaru . . ." Rin smiled. "You don't recognize me." She spoke slowly her voices cracking on every word. Rin winced at how bad she sounded. But Sesshoumaru deserved an explanation.
"My name is Aelan Aleshannee Aira, protector of the Atlantian people." She watched as he took a threatening step forward.
"And my name is Rin, the flower-picking orphan. I cannot separate the two so I would hope that you would except them both." Her throat was raw, from these simple sentences, but she wasn't concerned, she was too busy holding her breath, waiting for Sesshoumaru's acceptance or rejection. She bent down self-consciously and retrieved a flower that was resting within her line of vision. She eyed Sesshoumaru's armor longingly, it was her favorite resting place for her flowers. However, deciding that this was not the appropriate time or place for such an action she tucked it into her side ponytail.
Sesshoumaru had been studying her, trying to gauge the truth behind her statements. The Rin before him seemed to have mentally matured overnight. Even her picking the flower and placing it in her hair seemed more graceful than childish to him. In the end it was the flower that convinced him, the flower and the way she looked at his armor as if a flower wasn't a flower unless it rested in the cold steal on his chest.
So Rin had not committed suicide, Rin was not dead. She was different but very much alive, with wings and a power so strong it radiated off her body. It took a moment for all this to sink in. When it did, Sesshoumaru experienced what it felt like to be overcome. For the first time in his life he didn't analyze his every move, he did something natural, he did something enjoyable. Sesshoumaru crossed the remaining distance between himself and Rin. He pulled the flower from her hair and tucked it into his chest armor with one hand, while the other hand circled her waste, pulling her close for a bruising kiss.
Rin returned the kiss with passion. She didn't care anymore what he felt for her, and she couldn't leave him, no matter how much it hurt to stay.
Sesshoumaru was no longer thinking thoughts about the danger Rin now presented to his hard-earned control. There was no more doubt about where and how she would live. She was right where she belonged and he would make sure she understood that. It wouldn't be hard, the way she was responding, all he had to do was kiss her every time she got the notion she should be somewhere else.
Sesshoumaru broke the kiss off, and Rin grinned up at him. He wondered briefly if she had gotten taller. It used to be she couldn't quite reach his shoulder, now she did so with no problem. Sesshoumaru shook away silly thoughts. He still hadn't made clear exactly what he wanted. She might not agree, and he had no idea how to make her do so.
"It's time to go home Rin."
"Home . . ." There was a dreamy look in her eyes. She closed them briefly. "The garden." She breathed.
That was it, the garden was Rin's favorite place to be.
"You like the garden Rin?"
"Very much." Surprised that he even needed to ask.
"It's yours then. You can have the garden." He threw this information out nonchalantly, watching her out of the corner of his eye to determine what she thought of the gift.
"Mine. You would give me your garden?" Her voice was a whisper and her eyes teared up.
Sesshoumaru tried not to be alarmed as he told himself that hers were tears of joy. He knew how much she loved the garden.
"It's yours but there's something you should know."
He looked so grim that Rin became worried.
"What is it?"
"This present comes with a condition. If you take this present then you have to take me along with it." Sesshoumaru stood next to her stiffly. His entire body tied up in rigid knots.
Rin glanced down at her hands. The old Rin would have jumped into his arms without a care in the world. She suddenly wished to be carefree again. So Sesshoumaru came with the garden. Rin mentally shook her head, her taiyoukai really was very silly. Didn't he know that he wasn't a part of a package deal. He was the whole damn package. Had he really no idea how wonderful he was, had he no clue how much she loved him? Well it was up to her to show him.
Sesshoumaru watched her as she hesitated, He was angry, he was angry at himself, at her and at the entire situation. He wanted to tell her that she could have the garden with no conditions. If she took the garden she would want to be around it right? He shouldn't have included himself in the deal. What the hell was the matter with him? He was lord Sesshoumaru, leader of all the western lands . . .
"I accept." It was quietly voiced, but it broke through his thoughts like the crashing waves of a monsoon.
"As my mate Rin. It's permanent." He felt he should warn her, knowing her views on freedom.
Rin looked at him. Did he mean it? Did that mean he cared for her more than she had originally thought, more than he let on? She wanted to ask him if he loved her, but thought better of it. Sesshoumaru would tell her how he felt when he was ready. She could wait, some things were worth waiting for. She considered her move, but when it all came down to it, the temptation was just too great.
"You won't change your mind and hate me later?"
"I wont change my mind." He turned away and Rin thought she heard him say: "And I could never hate you." under his breath. But it could have just been wishful thinking.
They were mated less than a week later.
In a land further away, a young warrior sat against a wall. His sword was cradled between his legs, the hilt resting on his shoulders. He gazed out the window in front of him, but wasn't marveling at the destruction or the hope that the image of reconstruction inspired. No he was deep in thought, something called to him. Something he hadn't felt in a long time. The need to spread his wings and fly. He wasn't the only one, numerous people from Atlantis were coming out of hiding. Flexing wings that had long since been confined within their backs. He was troubled by this change, so he had seeked out a woman his mother had mention years ago, A'Marie Aira. A vague, destructively beautiful woman with sadness in her eyes. He had found her in a village completely untouched by the destruction. A beautiful place where things grew strong and blossomed. There, in that place, he had also found an amazing amount of Atlantian people. Although he was only half Atlantian, they treated him as one of their own.
A'Marie hadn't been able or willing to tell him much. She only told him the basics of what he needed to know. She had a daughter, said to be the protector of Atlantis. She had disappeared some years ago saving the few Atlantians taking into slavery. The needy feeling that the Atlantian people were now experiencing was the result of her daughter, Aelan, realizing exactly who she was. A'Marie had gone on to warn him that there was much danger ahead for the Atlantian people. The commander of the rebels was still alive. The only one who could defeat him was Aelan. Van had been told by the beautiful Atlantian that he would play a significant role in the salvation of the Atlantian people, that he would be the one to find Aelan. She referred to the fact that he had gathered most of the survivors of his people together and was even now establishing another kingdom. She had beseeched him not to forget his other people. And he found he could not ignore her pleas. He had asked where to begin looking and she had become vague again, telling him a mysterious light from the sky would transport him to Aelan.
He knew of what light she spoke of. He and Hitomi had began to track the appearance of that light. They had found that there actually was a pattern to it's seeming randomness. They could now travel via light whenever it was necessary. Still it was very risky, just because you found the light and allowed it to take you, didn't mean that you would end up where you wanted to go. As he continued his thoughts he heard footsteps behind him. His hand briefly tightened on his sword, until he recognized the footsteps. An arm slid around his neck from behind and he lifted one of his own hands, placing it on smooth skin. Not to take it away but to keep it there.
It was his life that was hugging him.
"Van what troubles you?"
"Hitomi . . . I have to go on a journey soon."
"Would you like me to come with you?"
"Yes."
Hitomi slid around until she was kneeling in front of him, her hands never leaving his body. She smiled excitedly into his eyes.
"Where are we going?"
"I don't know."
Hitomi laughed softly. "Van, those are the best kinds." She turned her back to him and scooted back between his legs. Resting the back of her head on his shoulder. Van abandoned his sword, placing it beside him, within his reach. He wrapped his arms around Hitomi and pulled her closer, letting his wings go, he slowly wrapped them around them both and leaned back against the wall. They both gazed out of the window, thoughts of preparation flowing through their minds. The next light was in four months.
**********************************
Kiyomi had almost reached the Western lands, she heard there was a strong youkai that ruled there, so she would have to be extra careful. She had a feeling Rin was somewhere nearby.
**********************************
Atsuko ran through the castle till she reached the Lord's quarters. She knocked on his son's room door. The door slid open and Basho stood in the doorway.
Atsuko bowed. "There is a young lord who wants to speak to the lord's son."
Basho looked back at the window where the lord's son sat staring at nothing, his back turned to the door.
"Send him here." As Atsuko ran to do his biding, Basho stood outside the door to greet the lord.
As he stood there a man dressed impeccably walked up to him. When he reached him, Basho felt such fear and such unrest that he immediately took his leave, saying nothing to the lord. The young lord smiled, slid open the door, and preceded inside. As he crossed the doorway, his clothes changed magically, into a costume. A baboon costume. He walked over to the lord's son and whispered into his ear.
"I have heard that you are in need of a way to exact revenge. I myself have a score to settle, perhaps we can help each other . . ."
Yes all hell is about to break lose. This should be interesting.
So I like Van in both the movie and the show. But I think that the Van in the movie is a little tougher than the one in the show. So that's the one I'm writing about.
He hadn't made it in time. And no matter how he looked at the circumstances, it was always his fault. He hadn't realized how much this human life had meant to him. He found himself angry at her for taking this way out of a bad situation. He had thought she was stronger than that. His anger was welcomed and he did everything to fuel it to fury. It covered for a deeper more harmful emotion. Sesshoumaru clenched his teeth, a muscle jumping unchecked in his jaw. It was the first expression to cross his countenance in many years. His anger was not working. Sesshoumaru's hand reached up and touched his chest, he rubbed it absently, trying to soothed the empty pain that had taken up residence in the vicinity of his heart. He never took his eyes from the view of the cliff where Rin had disappeared. The hand on his chest clenched.
His sword had saved the girl once, right? It could damn well do it again, he would have it no other way. He remembered the first time he had saved the girl. He also remembered Tenseiga's hesitation. His fist clenched again his claws digging into his palm and drawing blood. Sesshoumaru looked down at his hands and started. His hands were shaking.
He should have let her go.
If he saved her would he let her go this time?
'Yes I would let her go. I would let her leave me and I would promise myself not to follow her for a week and then I would search for her and bring her back.' He was completely honest with himself.
He was wasting time, the longer she stayed dead, the harder it would be for Tenseiga to bring her back. If . . .
He refused to think about what he would do if he couldn't bring her back to life. He could bring her back, failing was not an option.
He prepared to make for the air when a scent teased his nose. It was Rin's smell, but it wasn't. It was sweeter, softer, and more serene. Was it his imagination? His golden eyes sharpened, his breathing returned to normal, and something very close to desperate hope choked his throat.
His sensitive ears picked up a steady gush of wind. It kept an unusual rhythm and Sesshoumaru turned sharply, hurriedly searching the cliffs. Had he been so tied up in his grief that he hadn't sensed an enemy near?
Grief . . . ? Had that been the emotion that had tightened his chest and made his eyes burn? Why hadn't he seen it before?
Because it was all clear to him now.
And when he saved her, she would have to leave and he would have to let her go.
For good.
He turned his attention to the fast approaching creature. It obviously was not a smart creature. First to come onto his land and then to not even try to mask it's presence. Sesshoumaru's smile was purely evil. He needed to spill blood on this day, he stood straight not needing to crouch into a fighting stance. He drew Toukijin as the creature glided through the huge rift in the earth and promptly froze.
Rin couldn't believe the overwhelming happiness that coursed through her body, her very blood sung with it. When she had first jumped off the cliff she had immediately started to fall her wings had burst out on a reflex she hadn't known she had. It had been painful, very painful, in fact she believed that her blood had stained the red kimono she was wearing. But she knew that this was just a result of keeping them confined for so long. It wouldn't hurt like that again.
She felt like she would burst at any moment, she wished only that she could have shared this with her dearest friend. Still, he probably wouldn't care much. Even this thought didn't darken her spirits. Oh, but she wished to show him that she wasn't just some weak human. But she was, a human, that was what Atlantians were after all, slightly advanced humans. But even if she had physically changed into something more like a youkai than a human, she would have remained the same. If he couldn't like Rin the meager human, then he was shallow and not the taiyoukai she had fallen in love with.
She shook her head and turned around the bend, she was ready to scream with joy, and she could too. She was free from all of her bonds. She filled her lungs about to bellow the first thing that came to her mind when she saw Sesshoumaru facing her Toukijin pointed in her direction.
"SESSHOUMARU-SAMA!!"
Sesshoumaru had never heard anything so ugly and yet so beautiful at the same time. It was plain to anyone that had two working ears the Rin hadn't used her voice in a very long time. Her pronunciation was off on several marks. But Sesshoumaru would never want it any other way. It was the greatest honor for the first thing to come out of this precious creature's mouth to be his name.
But it was not her voice that held Sesshoumaru captive. He had never seen an angel, but what else could she be. The woman before him wasn't Rin. And she couldn't be anyone but Rin at the same time.
"Who are you?" Sesshoumaru asked in a hushed voice as she landed only a few feet in front of him.
Rin took her time, she wanted her words to come out right. She stretched her wings, unconsciously giving Sesshoumaru a glimpse of her massive wing span. Her wings were glorious, the soft pristine white feathers were layered until the longest feathers reached the backs of her ankles, when she folded them behind her back.
Sesshoumaru took the time to study the rest of her, while she composed herself. He was afraid to move, lest this illusion disappear. She looked like Rin, with slight differences. Her hair instead of reaching to her waste, now reached to the backs of her knees. It was also fuller, so were her breast and other parts of her figure. She still kept the sliminess of her waste and other parts of her body, such as her legs, arms, etc. Her eyes though still dark as ebony, became even more mysterious and a pink glow could be seen in the middle of her pupils. Her aura was more prominent and her whole body glowed with a pink light.
A Rin that wasn't Rin, she even smelled similar. Had he been given a second chance? Did this mean that Rin was truly gone? He, Sesshoumaru would have nothing to do with this impostor. Be she second chance or not. Sesshoumaru took no second best, Rin would always be an original, there was no replacing her. He glared at the woman, whoever she was, she was intruding, he needed to find Rin.
"Sesshoumaru . . ." Rin smiled. "You don't recognize me." She spoke slowly her voices cracking on every word. Rin winced at how bad she sounded. But Sesshoumaru deserved an explanation.
"My name is Aelan Aleshannee Aira, protector of the Atlantian people." She watched as he took a threatening step forward.
"And my name is Rin, the flower-picking orphan. I cannot separate the two so I would hope that you would except them both." Her throat was raw, from these simple sentences, but she wasn't concerned, she was too busy holding her breath, waiting for Sesshoumaru's acceptance or rejection. She bent down self-consciously and retrieved a flower that was resting within her line of vision. She eyed Sesshoumaru's armor longingly, it was her favorite resting place for her flowers. However, deciding that this was not the appropriate time or place for such an action she tucked it into her side ponytail.
Sesshoumaru had been studying her, trying to gauge the truth behind her statements. The Rin before him seemed to have mentally matured overnight. Even her picking the flower and placing it in her hair seemed more graceful than childish to him. In the end it was the flower that convinced him, the flower and the way she looked at his armor as if a flower wasn't a flower unless it rested in the cold steal on his chest.
So Rin had not committed suicide, Rin was not dead. She was different but very much alive, with wings and a power so strong it radiated off her body. It took a moment for all this to sink in. When it did, Sesshoumaru experienced what it felt like to be overcome. For the first time in his life he didn't analyze his every move, he did something natural, he did something enjoyable. Sesshoumaru crossed the remaining distance between himself and Rin. He pulled the flower from her hair and tucked it into his chest armor with one hand, while the other hand circled her waste, pulling her close for a bruising kiss.
Rin returned the kiss with passion. She didn't care anymore what he felt for her, and she couldn't leave him, no matter how much it hurt to stay.
Sesshoumaru was no longer thinking thoughts about the danger Rin now presented to his hard-earned control. There was no more doubt about where and how she would live. She was right where she belonged and he would make sure she understood that. It wouldn't be hard, the way she was responding, all he had to do was kiss her every time she got the notion she should be somewhere else.
Sesshoumaru broke the kiss off, and Rin grinned up at him. He wondered briefly if she had gotten taller. It used to be she couldn't quite reach his shoulder, now she did so with no problem. Sesshoumaru shook away silly thoughts. He still hadn't made clear exactly what he wanted. She might not agree, and he had no idea how to make her do so.
"It's time to go home Rin."
"Home . . ." There was a dreamy look in her eyes. She closed them briefly. "The garden." She breathed.
That was it, the garden was Rin's favorite place to be.
"You like the garden Rin?"
"Very much." Surprised that he even needed to ask.
"It's yours then. You can have the garden." He threw this information out nonchalantly, watching her out of the corner of his eye to determine what she thought of the gift.
"Mine. You would give me your garden?" Her voice was a whisper and her eyes teared up.
Sesshoumaru tried not to be alarmed as he told himself that hers were tears of joy. He knew how much she loved the garden.
"It's yours but there's something you should know."
He looked so grim that Rin became worried.
"What is it?"
"This present comes with a condition. If you take this present then you have to take me along with it." Sesshoumaru stood next to her stiffly. His entire body tied up in rigid knots.
Rin glanced down at her hands. The old Rin would have jumped into his arms without a care in the world. She suddenly wished to be carefree again. So Sesshoumaru came with the garden. Rin mentally shook her head, her taiyoukai really was very silly. Didn't he know that he wasn't a part of a package deal. He was the whole damn package. Had he really no idea how wonderful he was, had he no clue how much she loved him? Well it was up to her to show him.
Sesshoumaru watched her as she hesitated, He was angry, he was angry at himself, at her and at the entire situation. He wanted to tell her that she could have the garden with no conditions. If she took the garden she would want to be around it right? He shouldn't have included himself in the deal. What the hell was the matter with him? He was lord Sesshoumaru, leader of all the western lands . . .
"I accept." It was quietly voiced, but it broke through his thoughts like the crashing waves of a monsoon.
"As my mate Rin. It's permanent." He felt he should warn her, knowing her views on freedom.
Rin looked at him. Did he mean it? Did that mean he cared for her more than she had originally thought, more than he let on? She wanted to ask him if he loved her, but thought better of it. Sesshoumaru would tell her how he felt when he was ready. She could wait, some things were worth waiting for. She considered her move, but when it all came down to it, the temptation was just too great.
"You won't change your mind and hate me later?"
"I wont change my mind." He turned away and Rin thought she heard him say: "And I could never hate you." under his breath. But it could have just been wishful thinking.
They were mated less than a week later.
In a land further away, a young warrior sat against a wall. His sword was cradled between his legs, the hilt resting on his shoulders. He gazed out the window in front of him, but wasn't marveling at the destruction or the hope that the image of reconstruction inspired. No he was deep in thought, something called to him. Something he hadn't felt in a long time. The need to spread his wings and fly. He wasn't the only one, numerous people from Atlantis were coming out of hiding. Flexing wings that had long since been confined within their backs. He was troubled by this change, so he had seeked out a woman his mother had mention years ago, A'Marie Aira. A vague, destructively beautiful woman with sadness in her eyes. He had found her in a village completely untouched by the destruction. A beautiful place where things grew strong and blossomed. There, in that place, he had also found an amazing amount of Atlantian people. Although he was only half Atlantian, they treated him as one of their own.
A'Marie hadn't been able or willing to tell him much. She only told him the basics of what he needed to know. She had a daughter, said to be the protector of Atlantis. She had disappeared some years ago saving the few Atlantians taking into slavery. The needy feeling that the Atlantian people were now experiencing was the result of her daughter, Aelan, realizing exactly who she was. A'Marie had gone on to warn him that there was much danger ahead for the Atlantian people. The commander of the rebels was still alive. The only one who could defeat him was Aelan. Van had been told by the beautiful Atlantian that he would play a significant role in the salvation of the Atlantian people, that he would be the one to find Aelan. She referred to the fact that he had gathered most of the survivors of his people together and was even now establishing another kingdom. She had beseeched him not to forget his other people. And he found he could not ignore her pleas. He had asked where to begin looking and she had become vague again, telling him a mysterious light from the sky would transport him to Aelan.
He knew of what light she spoke of. He and Hitomi had began to track the appearance of that light. They had found that there actually was a pattern to it's seeming randomness. They could now travel via light whenever it was necessary. Still it was very risky, just because you found the light and allowed it to take you, didn't mean that you would end up where you wanted to go. As he continued his thoughts he heard footsteps behind him. His hand briefly tightened on his sword, until he recognized the footsteps. An arm slid around his neck from behind and he lifted one of his own hands, placing it on smooth skin. Not to take it away but to keep it there.
It was his life that was hugging him.
"Van what troubles you?"
"Hitomi . . . I have to go on a journey soon."
"Would you like me to come with you?"
"Yes."
Hitomi slid around until she was kneeling in front of him, her hands never leaving his body. She smiled excitedly into his eyes.
"Where are we going?"
"I don't know."
Hitomi laughed softly. "Van, those are the best kinds." She turned her back to him and scooted back between his legs. Resting the back of her head on his shoulder. Van abandoned his sword, placing it beside him, within his reach. He wrapped his arms around Hitomi and pulled her closer, letting his wings go, he slowly wrapped them around them both and leaned back against the wall. They both gazed out of the window, thoughts of preparation flowing through their minds. The next light was in four months.
**********************************
Kiyomi had almost reached the Western lands, she heard there was a strong youkai that ruled there, so she would have to be extra careful. She had a feeling Rin was somewhere nearby.
**********************************
Atsuko ran through the castle till she reached the Lord's quarters. She knocked on his son's room door. The door slid open and Basho stood in the doorway.
Atsuko bowed. "There is a young lord who wants to speak to the lord's son."
Basho looked back at the window where the lord's son sat staring at nothing, his back turned to the door.
"Send him here." As Atsuko ran to do his biding, Basho stood outside the door to greet the lord.
As he stood there a man dressed impeccably walked up to him. When he reached him, Basho felt such fear and such unrest that he immediately took his leave, saying nothing to the lord. The young lord smiled, slid open the door, and preceded inside. As he crossed the doorway, his clothes changed magically, into a costume. A baboon costume. He walked over to the lord's son and whispered into his ear.
"I have heard that you are in need of a way to exact revenge. I myself have a score to settle, perhaps we can help each other . . ."
Yes all hell is about to break lose. This should be interesting.