Disclaimer: *enters a woman that looks like Takahashi-sama* Ahem... Yes, I do own Inuyasha, Kikyou, Sesshoumaru and all the... *POOF! - the woman transforms back into the crazy little girl named Ruby* Er... Hi, people...^^; Damn you, Naraku!!! Your shape-shifting spell didn't last long enough!!!! ;;
Naraku: Kukuku...
A.N: Hawo again!! Wow, I almost cannot believe I got so many reviews!! *cries from happiness* Thank you all for your wonderful reviews, they sure motivated me to write much faster than I usually do!^^ I'll comment on them later on, but now let's get to what matters! I now present you all with the second chappie of Unraveling Melody! Yay!^^
Unraveling Melody
by Ruby Moon
Chapter 02 - Never to be Trusted
"Come on, Kikyou-sama!!" -shouted Rin, still pulling the miko by her hand. - "There are lots of butterflies near the river, and they're all so pretty!!"
Kikyou walks calm and slowly, even though Rin makes a great effort to bring her to the river faster. The little girl is obviously full of energy, but the undead priestess just doesn't seem to have much of that lively spirit in her anymore.
"Ah! Here we are!" - Rin sounds cheerful as usual as she stops running and points at a stream. - "See? Isn't it beautiful?"
Running her eyes through the place, the miko notices a silent watercourse surrounded by some gorgeous flowers that seem to dance as a soft breeze blows past them, in an eye-catching festival of colors and beauty. The sweet and happy chirping of the evening birds and the sight of butterflies spreading their pollen over the vivacious flora makes her mind go back to old times when life seemed to be much easier for her. Today, however, she'd be happy to have a life, even if it wasn't all that bright and easy.
She just wishes she could be still alive.
"It's indeed a very beautiful place, Rin."
"Hai! Rin's gonna catch some butterflies now! They're cute and fun to play with!"
"That sounds nice. Just make sure you don't hurt them, ok?"
"Don't worry, Rin will be careful!" - she starts pulling Kikyou again. - "Come on, let's play!"
"All right, I'm coming." - Kikyou replies in a kind tone of voice, as a shy smile sprouts on her face.
As they play carelessly on those joyful fields, Kikyou and Rin don't even notice that a small toad-like creature is spying on them from behind a nearby bush. Looking very irritated, he waves his two-headed staff around as he tries to get rid of the spikes that insist on pinning him to the plant.
"Stupid spikes! Get away from me! Humph! I can't believe Lord Sesshoumaru gave Jakken such an annoying task! - He sounds undignified. - "What am I, a baby-sitter or something?"
"Look, Kikyou-sama!" - Rin carries a black and purple butterfly on her hands. - "Look what Rin got!"
"It's really pretty, Rin. Now look at what I found…" - she smiles as she opens her hands, revealing a very graceful rainbow-colored butterfly.
"Ooh, it's so pretty!" - Rin accidentally lets her own butterfly fly away as she gets closer to Kikyou in order to check out the other one. - "Aww…mine got away…"
"Oh, mine did too." - She purposely releases hers, then she smiles kindly. - "Let's go find some more."
"Hai!"
"Humph!" - Jakken mumbles to himself. - "I don't even know why Lord Sesshoumaru wanted me to watch out for them… That woman seems quite harmless to me…GAAH, WHY MUST I GO THROUGH THIS, LORD SESSHOUMARU???"
Kikyou quickly looks sideways from the very corner of her eyes and recognizes that cry. She even finds it weird that she hadn't felt the green youkai's presence before, but now that she knows she's being spied on, she has to keep an eye on the small creature.
"Humpph!!" -Jakken covers his mouth, mad at himself. - "Why did I have to scream? Now that woman probably knows I'm here… Argh, Lord Sesshoumaru will take my head for it…"
"What's wrong, Kikyou-sama?" - Rin asks as the miko momentarily stops playing with her.
"Oh? Nothing, Rin, I just thought I had heard someone… Well, I think we are done around here. Why don't we go look for butterflies on the other side of this stream?" - Kikyou stands up as she tries to take Rin and herself away from the eyes of that despicable youkai, for she doesn't really feel comfortable about being watched.
"Rin is not allowed to cross to the other side, Kikyou-sama…Sesshoumaru-sama won't let Rin do it."
"Why not?" - Kikyou looks compassionately at Rin's sad face.
"Because there's a village full of people right across that river, and
Sesshoumaru-sama says humans are evil…"
"Rin…" -Kikyou stands on her knees. - "Do you think humans are evil?"
"Um…well, once some of them beat Rin up because she stole food for Sesshoumaru-sama when he was really, really hurt…But Rin didn't mind, she had to take care of Sesshoumaru-sama because he was so lonely and hurt!"
"You…took care of Sesshoumaru?"
"Hai! Rin couldn't have left Sesshoumaru-sama there all helpless!"
The priestess is surprised at the kindness of that girl who is standing right before her eyes, playing innocently with a small navy blue flower she is so gently holding. She was certainly very selfless, so much that she didn't even mind having been physically spoiled for tending to a demon that could have easily put an end to her life. She was a very special girl, indeed.
"I see." - Kikyou smiles nicely at the childl. - "You're a very kind little girl, Rin, and you're a human too."
"Yeah, Rin knows…"- She looks down for a while, then she raises her eyes again. - "But if Sesshoumaru-sama says humans are evil, then that must be true!"
"Oh, so that's how you see me? You think I'm evil?"
"Hmm? Nooo, Kikyou-sama is not evil, she is a very nice lady!! Kikyou-sama is as nice as Sesshoumaru-sama!"
Kikyou smiles for a second, feeling happy to know that this little girl actually finds her nice, unlike everybody else that has turned their back on her. Soon, however, she finds herself surprised at Rin's words. She was as nice as Sesshoumaru? How could anyone find that cold demon a nice person? The fearsome prince of the Western Lands who is known for his total lack of mercy when it comes to humans, as well as any other kind of living being was actually considered to be nice by Rin?
"You think Sesshoumaru is nice?"
"Hai! He's the nicest of all people!" -Rin's eyes seem to sparkle when she talks about the dog demon. - "Don't you agree, Kikyou-sama?"
Kikyou can't think of an answer at the spot. She doesn't really know him that well, therefore saying anything about his nature would mean jumping to wrong conclusions…but she has also heard a lot about his deeds, enough to make one wonder about his "kindness". On the other hand, Rin seems to love Sesshoumaru more than anything else despite what is said and known about him, so maybe he does have a nice side, after all…
"I don't know him very well, Rin, but…he seems like a nice person. -
Kikyou realizes that saying otherwise could hurt Rin, so she decides to hold her
piece and sparing the girl from an unpleasant feeling.
"Hai! Rin just don't get why some people still say that he's mean… It's like saying Kikyou-sama is mean! It's a big, big lie!"
"Is it really?" - She unintentionally says out loud what was supposed to remain only in her mind. - "Is it a lie to say those things about me? I know some people think of me as mean… A burden that should not be around…"
Since the day she was awakened up from her eternal sleep, she knew that was her fate: to be thought of as a mighty inconvenient to everyone's plans, She knew Inuyasha would be much happier if that ghost from the past had never returned, if he was free to love that other girl. And it didn't matter how ardently she fought against it or how hard she tried to overcome her own misery, for those thoughts would never cease to hurt her.
Holding back her vengeful tears, the priestess mentally curses herself for thinking about such ridiculous matters at that moment, and worse, for letting them so strongly affect her. Pain would only weaken her spirit, cause her mind to stray from her chosen path, and that was not what she needed. She would remain using her thirst for vengeance as armor and her hatred as her weapon of choice on her never-ending battle.
"What?? How can they say Kikyou-sama is mean??"
"It's easier than you think…" - Kikyou smiles sarcastically to herself.
"Then don't listen to that!" - Rin throws herself on Kikyou's arms and hugs her. - "Rin thinks Kikyou-sama is very nice and kind and should not care about people who say she's mean!"
Rin's hug gets Kikyou off guard. It had been so long since someone last hugged her with such affection … Everyone she knew and loved had betrayed and turned their back on her. In fact, she had almost gotten used to people treating her coldly. The warmth of that embrace, however, makes her feel cared for again, even it's just for a brief while.
"Thank you, Rin." -she smiles kindly and returns the hug. -
"I'm glad you think this way."
"Playing, smiling, hugging, playing, smiling, hugging…" - Jakken repeats to himself really impatiently. - "That's all they ever do! I don't know why Lord Sesshoumaru sent me to watch out for that woman!!"
"Because I don't trust her." - Sesshoumaru's cold voice comes from behind Jakken, making the toad creature jump out of shock.
"Waaah!! L-lord Sesshoumaru!!" - He sweat drops. - "How long have you been there??"
"Long enough to see that Rin and that woman are getting along quite well. Too well for my likings, actually."
"How so, Lord Sesshoumaru?"
"No one knows for sure what that woman's true intentions are… Besides, she's a human, so she's naturally not to be trusted".
It's a natural thing for Sesshoumaru not to trust humans. It's common knowledge that he hates and despises them, but his reasons remain a mystery. It could be because he is a full blooded youkai and thinks of himself as a superior being when compared to mere humans; maybe it is because his father once fell in love with a human who later on gave birth to his half brother, the hanyou named Inuyasha, which happened to be a disgrace for his family of pure-bred youkai; possibly it's a mix of the above, which makes his feelings for humans even stronger.
He needed no reasons, however. That Kikyou person was a stranger, a powerful and mysterious woman who would be joining him and his acquaintances from that day on, therefore precaution measures were made necessary. Choosing a human as his ally hadn't been one of his wisest choices, so he had to make sure that it had, at least, been a safe one.
Kikyou soon feels a very strong presence around. She knows it can't be anyone else's but his. His coldness can easily be felt in the air and it's enough to make anyone chill. Anyone…but her. After all, even all his draftiness wasn't sufficient to overcome the unpleasantly cold company of death that would always follow her wherever she goes.
She discretely turns around and tries to spot the demon prince. In all her life, she had never felt such a strong and deep aura coming from a youkai and it scares her. What if he only wanted to trick her into getting Naraku's shards and then use them on himself to become an even stronger youkai? He would certainly kill the shape-shifter, but he could also do the same to her afterwards.
Although he wouldn't admit it, Sesshoumaru also feels a little frightened by the priestess. She is no ordinary human and her spiritual powers are said to be superb. They can be very useful if she remains by his side, but they can also be a curse if her true intentions are not what she says they are. And to make it worse, she seems to have grown on Rin, which gives him plenty of reasons to intensify his constant vigil on her.
Brown eyes meet golden for a moment.
They exchange enigmatic looks as they try to pierce through each other's souls and read their very thoughts. The tension between them is so dense that one can almost reach out their hands and touch it. They're both aware that it's not very smart to ally with someone they don't trust, but, for the time being, it's not like there are many other options available.
"What is Kikyou-sama looking at?" - Rin turns arounds and sees the one person she adores the most. - "Ah! Sesshoumaru-sama!"
The enthusiastic little girl runs to the demon with a wild smile on her face and sparkling brown eyes. He kneels down as she gets closer to him and asks:
"Does Sesshoumaru-sama want to play with the butterflies too? Rin and Kikyou-sama are having lots of fun!"
"It's getting late, Rin. You should go to sleep." - his tone of voice is slightly warmer than the usual.
"Aww…but Rin is hungry!"
"Then go find yourself some food. Jakken!"
"Yes, Lord-Sesshoumaru?"
"Go with Rin and get her what to eat."
The dark haired girl and the toad-like green youkai exchange annoyed looks and sweat drop.
"Can't Rin go with Kikyou-sama instead? She's nicer to be with!"
"That woman and I have some business to discuss. You will have to go with Jakken."
"B-but… I bet Kikyou-sama must be hungry too!"
"Don't worry about me, Rin." - Kikyou stands up and walks to them. - "I'll be fine. Now go with him."
"But…alright, I'll go…" - Rin finally gives up and starts pulling Jakken by his staff. - "Come on, Jakken! If Rin doesn't find anything to eat soon, Rin will eat you!"
Kikyou gives a small laugh as she watches that funny scene. Afterwards, she remembers that Sesshoumaru is still there, standing right behind her, so she quickly makes that smile vanish from her face and goes back to her cold, serious self.
"So, what kind of business did you want to talk to me about?" -she remains looking away from him.
"That was just an excuse. I don't want you and Rin together when I'm not around."
"For someone who despises humans, you care too much for that little girl…" -She says, half ironically, half teasingly. - "And she seems to adore you…Heh, I just can't see why she can be so fond of you."
"She's grateful to me."
"What for?"-the miko slightly narrows her eyes, curious about the little girl's gratitude.
"..." - he takes a deep breath, wondering why he was even paying attention to that human's questions. - "My sword brought her back to life after a bunch of wolves attacked and killed her. She has followed me since then."
"And why would you let her follow you?" -she looks intrigued, and even surprised that the demon had bothered to answer.
"This is none of your concern." - he quickly turns and walks off, as he lost whatever unusual disposition for talking he had momentarily felt.
"So he saved the life of that little girl?" -she thinks to herself as she watches the prince of the Western Lands go away. - "Why did he do it? I thought he hated all humans…but he does show some affection for Rin…It's possible that it might have been just a quick moment of weakness…but then again, maybe Inuyasha's heartless half-brother isn't as cold as he seems to be…maybe…"
~~**~~ End of Chapter 02 ~~**~~
A.N: Weeee!! So how was it, people?^^ I did my best to update this fic within this week...it's sort of a birthday present to myself, seeing as my b-day is tomorrow (july 05th) and I'm all hyperish and stuff...^^; Anyways, time to comment on the kind reviews I got^^ Yay!
May Oak: Hehehe, don't worry, I'm writing more chapters like crazy, that's for sure!^^; Also, the romance is coming up. It might take a while, because Sesshoumaru and Kikyou have no "base romance" to start from, so it has to build gradually. The upcoming chapters will have hints of it, though, especially chapter 05, so just hang in there a bit longer, okies?^^
LemonySweet: Aww... I'm so very sorry, but this is a Sess/Kik fic... There are plenty of Sess/Kag fics out there, though, even more than Sess/Kik ones. I can even show you a couple of Sess/Kag websites I know as my apologies, but that's the best I can do for you. Thanks for reviewing, anyway^^
VIolettegal345: I did? *blinks* Really? o.O Thank you, it means a lot to me!^^ I was so afraid they'd come out very Ooc or something^^;
Goten0040: I know!! *waves Sess/Kik flags* I feel so special too!!! Weeeeeeeee!! ^_^
Kikyou_forever: Thankies much!! My previous title was very lame, though^^; I'm glad you liked this one^^
Cypress: Thanks for letting me post your fic!^^ It's already up on my site! ^_^
Kikyoufan#1: Yay!!! Thankies!!! And lookie, I have updated!! Yay!! ^^
KikyouandInuyasha: Yep, Sess/Kik fics are indeed very interesting^^ I'm happy you liked mine, yay!!
Seifer-sama: Why, thank you!^^ I don't see any lines here, but I have posted more, so feel free to read it! ^_^
Well, I guess this is all for now. I really hope you have enjoyed this chapter and that you'll come back for the next one, "Distinct Resemblance". Keep the reviews coming, and I'll write much, much faster! Mwah! ^_^