Sesshomaru Vs LinNoTai Chapter 2
The Calm Before the Storm (or the biggest cliche ever)
A few things to know.
L-----L stands for LinNoTai's point of view.
S-----S stands for Sesshomaru's POV.
When the two meet, LS-----SL is used before a single word is shown.
If I can find the name for demon trees like the ones in my imaginary forest, I'd be grateful to find it in a review. Enjoy the story!
L-----L
The sun had risen, but LinNoTai felt no rush to rest. He knew that the first rays of sunlight to touch his unholy flesh would burn through him in its rush to reach a wall in his cave. He just didn't feel tired in the least. As a matter of fact, he felt more alert than he had in a few decades. He felt an overwhelming urge to test out his new abilities, so he decided to try something rather reckless. Running through the entrance at the first sight of cloud cover, the undead creature ran for the thickest section of the jungle. He knew one place that would be fun to play in, though it was probably not wise to go at that moment. Knowing that his rest should be first priority, his mind wandered to his last victim. The demon had been incredibly fun to toy with, but his loss of an appendage was upsetting to say the least. For some reason, it still seemed like it was a fair fight. He would have been an unbelievable opponent, had he been able to use both of his arms. After a few seconds, he began to near the place of their first encounter.
His first surprise rose to the surface when he noticed the smells of the area. It was as if his nose had become a third eye and was telling him the past. He could still smell the filthy humans who ran for their lives. Their fear helped to mask the foul odor – everything smells the same when it's scared. He could smell the anger on the young child and could follow her path through the air with enough concentration. He could especially smell all the emotions of the two demons. It was surprising that the calm one was actually immersed in his emotions yet hid everything but the scent of them. At the time of the child's tossing he was unbearably angry, but then became a mixture of shock and outrage. It must have been when he grabbed Sesshomaru's tail, he decided. Taking his mind off the smells around, he noticed that some sunlight was peeking through the clouds and landed on his gi.
LinNoTai wasted no time jumping back into the thick of the forest. Stopping to regain his senses, he checked the spot that he believed to be burned as black as the garments he wore. He was wrong. He was as well tanned as ever, if not a bit shaken and pale from fear and stress. Contemplation was not his strong point at the moment and he took his time covering the several miles back to the clearing. As he walked, he finally realized that the new demon blood inside him helped fight back the sunlight. Wondering just how strong the benefit was, he took a cautious step into the sunlight.
He couldn't see from the brightness of the light. His body felt warm, but not the way it did before he caught on fire. It almost felt like the moment of the First Bite– whatever you'd like to call that rush from the blood flooding every fiber in his being. After a few seconds, his eyes felt almost tolerant of the light that would kill him under any other circumstances. Deciding that it was time to enjoy his new lease on life, he tried a little hop toward a low branch on the nearest tree. His feet flung him through the air at breakneck speeds toward the same sky that he threw the young girl toward. Relaxing into the speed, he started to descend. Using the first branch that he could reach, he ran on the canopy top of the forest. He felt light as a feather and more than able to do anything. He felt like he could fly.
"Well, why not?" he said aloud, throwing himself into the sky as hard as possible. His smile spread, as his ascension was not slowed down, but seemed to go faster than it had even started. Looking down at his feet, he realized that he stood on a cloud that was supported on strings of light. He could control the cloud by willing it toward whatever direction he wished. Seeing a tactical advantage in this, he decided to not enjoy or abuse this newfound power and stick to what he knew. Releasing himself from the cloud was easy and actually fun. Falling through his cloud gave him a beautiful view of the land that he was falling toward, and he felt his breath gently taken away by its beauty.
The area that he was falling toward was completely surrounded by beautiful plants and trees. The forest under him held many animals that he smelled before he could see them and flowers that fought to live under the towering and lush foliage. Landing on a treetop, his heart filled with the beauty he saw around him and a smile rose from his lips. It felt almost natural to smile, like if he did it from the first night of his after life and had just realized it. Looking to the sky, he saw a flock of birds flying in a formation that looked like a wedge through the air. Animals were always surprising him through their intelligence and perseverance in any situation. Leaping from treetop to treetop was as little effort as taking steps on the beach and had nearly the same feel. As his speed gained, he noticed that there were leaves following him and he was usually stepping on treetops that were on the horizon in one stride. At that pace, he might have actually ruined the beautiful forest he was traveling over.
Stopping on one of the branches brought about a sight that he thought to never see. A large feather was floating toward him with two screaming women on top of it. After a quick sniff, he realized that they were demons and decided it would be fun to challenge them. After a few seconds of consideration, however, he decided to only challenge the older-looking one. They might have been a challenge one-on-one, but they might have torn him apart if they fought together. Waiting for their floating feather to settle down, he called to them.
S-----S
Seeing the smile on Rin's face was a sure indication of his health. At least he was still alive. Rubbing his face with his hand gave him a jump when he noticed which hand he used.
It was his left hand, grown back as if it was never gone. Moving it around, he slowly noticed that his face was showing his surprise. Regaining his composure, he made sure everyone was there and healthy. Jaken was standing over Sesshomaru, cradling his jaw from the sudden attack of Sesshomaru's forehead when he sat up. Rin was smiling through her tears and held the hand that was nearest her, her other hand still holding his Tensaiga. Finally, fatigue and the loss of blood took over Sesshomaru's body as he lay back down, lightheaded and confused. Looking toward Rin to make sure she was real, he only had enough strength to ask Jaken one question:
"What happened?" His voice was soft and gentle, much like the breeze that blew through the small section of forest where they all rested. As Jaken thought of the best way to say the bizarre things that happened, Rin could do nothing but hold the hand of her best friend and savior. Finally, Jaken cleared his throat and caught Sesshomaru's attention.
"After the vile creature that bit you disappeared into the soil around the tree, Rin began to get too close to the tree's gaping maw. Not wanting to gain your ill favor, I tried to destroy the tree with the "beauty". She froze the large abomination and Rin's own weight broke the branch and she fell through the air. Thanks to my self-sacrifice, I caught her right before she became a human pizza."
"No, you didn't! You were running and screaming around in a circle trying to get away and foolishly got under me. Thankfully, you survived. I don't know what I'd do without you and Sesshomaru." A big hug around the neck of the little green demon came next.
"Oh, come on. You don't have to - - wait. I was not running around! Take that back!" A small argument started between them while Sesshomaru tried vainly to recuperate from the wounds that rested on the side of his throat and will his demon blood to fill his body once more. The groans of pain stopped the two that argued about things that started to seem foolish and unneeded. Jaken continued:
"Young Rin took your Tensaiga out of it's sheathe and killed the demons of death that rested above you at the time. The sword also cut through the place where your arm was missing. After the sword was stuck into the ground, your arm grew back while Rin was crying. You came back to consciousness for a second while my hand was on her shoulder. You put your new hand on her other shoulder and smiled, but passed out seconds after. As we both carried you away from that horrible section of the world, I tried to console her. She seemed to not mind my few pearls of wisdom and became particularly interested on my perspective of our first meeting and my becoming your servant for life. Coming to this place, we found water and plants that gave nutrition for Rin and decided to wait until you awoke. Now you have and it's your time to lead us again. Well, at least after you feel better. You're still very pale and your wound from that horrible creature hasn't healed. Thankfully, it's not bleeding."
"That's because there's no blood in my body. That thing bled me dry and relished every drop." His old coldness settled back in, though there wasn't the normal amount of force and respect that it normally held. It was as if he was the last leaf on the tree in fall, just waiting until his time to let go and be blown away.
The breeze stopped, as if even the wind itself tried to understand the words that were just said. Nothing moved or made a sound in their little section of the world. Jaken and Rin seemed to hold their breaths to consider something strong enough to take the great Sesshomaru on and win. Finally, the wind started to blow again, and the animals of the woods began to travel around on their normal business. Some even started to walk toward them. For some reason, though, the footsteps didn't sound like a regular animal's. After a few seconds, a flash of red and silver was seen with the word "bitch!" spewed from it as if it was a greeting. The word, "sit!" followed with a crash only an inch or two away from Sesshomaru's feet. Of all the things to try and explain . . .
L-----L
"Ohayo Gozaimasu, young ladies. Or, should I say good morning? Sorry about your inconvenience with the feather, I believe it to be my fault. Gomen. I'm sorry. It did entertain me when you two screamed, though. For that, I thank you." The older one seemed to not like the fact that he was able to throw her around. She really didn't like the fact that he talked about her screaming. The younger one didn't say anything or show any emotions whatsoever. If anything, he would have to be careful of that little bundle of white with the mirror. The other one would probably throw her body within his reach, thinking of a way to defeat and destroy him. She would be the fool to fall by his hand, but not that other.
"You'd better run, if you know what's good for you. I don't like weaklings who think that they're tough enough to tempt my anger. I'll give you this one time to either walk away or beg for my forgiveness. Either way, your death will be quick and painful. I'll even –" her words were cut off by his fingers on her lips. As he walked by her to her younger sister, her anger seemed to pile on the pride she felt for herself. That turned into fury, then hate, and finally rage. Her hand tensed up into a fist by the time he bent down to talk to the albino who still looked forward.
"And how about you? Do you feel the same way as your loud friend?" The tall, dark-haired woman was ready to strike when his eyes closed and his body relaxed with the soft wind that blew. The clenched fist flew through the air, but was caught as if it was never in motion. A quick trip and kick sent her flying through the wind and out of sight. A smile crept up on his face as he realized his rudeness. "I'm sorry, young one. That was your friend, and I acted carelessly. Can I make it up to you?" He was thinking about saying more, but she raised the funny looking mirror between him and her. The mirror didn't look all that nice, and he still couldn't see his reflection. When he moved out of the way, the mirror seemed to suck in everything that was in its path. She saw that he moved and turned the chunk of fancy glass toward him again. All he could think of was just how boned he'd be if he got in the way of that thing's path. He couldn't help but let the words "This sucks" slip from his lips.
The treetops were not nearly as understanding of his situation as he had hoped. They swayed and cracked under the force of the mirror that drew in every little white ball of fluff that it came across. The trees were quickly falling into chunks of vegetation that seemed like nothing that ever held life. To save the forest, he decided to do something that didn't really make sense. It was his last chance to try, though.
He ran straight for the young girl. The demon child was shocked that he didn't keep running away and stood in a daze when she was tackled to the forest floor. As she fell, her expressionless gaze focused on his visage and was blocked by the same mirror he was trying to get away from. At that moment, all he could think of was how bad it might hurt.
The tree he stood on released one of those little white things and he landed on it as he fell. As he smelled it, he realized that it was a spirit. Landing on the ground was a new feeling to him, since he was up in the trees for a better part of the morning. The breeze that blew around him seemed to leave him alone, as if knowing he held no soul. Curiously, he walked toward the demon of white and grabbed the mirror from her hands. Looking deeply into the reflection of everything behind him, he noticed there were many balls of white fluff – um, spirits floating inside of the device.
"Cool toy. Got anything that'll work on a creature without a soul?" The question seemed to disturb that childishly stoic face as the implications settled in her mind. Normally, a smile would be growing on his face at his accomplishment, but he was honestly hoping for a challenge. Giving her the mirror back, she could only look down and start walking away. Wondering where she was going, the vampire started to follow in her footsteps.
Their walk was rather long and boring. Several times he thought about picking her up and carrying her in the direction she wished to go. She seemed to need the walk, however, so he became content to study the wildlife that was all around him. When she finally spoke, he was deeply studying a caterpillar that he picked up in the afternoon sun.
"How is it that you live without a soul? Most other creatures would just become ghouls or zombies that follow the commands of whomever holds their soul, but you don't. You have freedom of thought and you don't seem to move with the same difficulties that other soulless creatures do. No matter your strength, if you had a soul to grab, this mirror should have ripped it from your body and left you like most of that forest. I'm leaving to talk to my master, but this walking has only helped produce more questions. He might give me the answers I seek." With that, she turned around and began to walk quicker than before. The caterpillar was quickly placed on a leaf for its own safety while LinNoTai lifted the girl to his shoulder and ran through the forest.
"Point me toward your master. If he can have one as strong as you as his follower, he might be fun to fight."
The conversation between them was short and curt, filled with silences and changes in direction. Her plan was to make sure that, if he ran, he couldn't find his way back. His plan was to do what he wanted to do and never need a sequel.
S-----S
Everyone seemed there. If LinNoTai came around, he would slaughter everyone there with a smile on his face. Sesshomaru could only wonder when the inevitable would happen. They would soon ask who defeated him and left him in such a horrible state. Right now, though, Inuyasha seemed to have far too much fun just laughing at his big brother's misfortune.
"So, how long did it take him to completely defeat you, or was it too fast for you to notice?" Every now and then, Inuyasha seemed to say the wrong thing around Kagome and would catch a sitting barrage. This was one of those times. To the sound of his brother's moaning, Sesshomaru closed his eyes and his breathing eased, as if asleep. Everyone there believed he was sleeping well, so they went along on their own duties. As Kagome prepared her herbs and medicine for Sesshomaru, young Rin watched carefully, trying to take notes. This surprised Kagome, and she questioned the child about it.
"I just wanna make sure that Sesshomaru never needs the help of another woman if I can help it. If there was another woman with us, then there wouldn't be a reason for me. There isn't one now, but he still lets me be around. Sometimes, I wonder why he even lets me be around him. At least Jaken can fight. He also helps by doing things that Sesshomaru is too busy to do. All I do is follow them around like a lost puppy. If I can heal Sesshomaru up, though, then I'll have a reason to be with them. I won't be as useless."
"Don't dare say that! Do you know why Sesshomaru chose to have you with us? He didn't! The Tensaiga did. The sword has a higher purpose for you than either Sesshomaru or I will probably ever know. You are far from useless. If it weren't for your smiles and free spirit, Sesshomaru would have probably killed me and destroyed everything in his path. You keep him sane. When you are around, his face softens and his voice becomes soothing. He won't kill around you because he doesn't want you to see that type of thing any more than you already have." Jaken's voice was trembling from his anger at her words. While he was still standing by the apparently slumbering Sesshomaru, his voice went quieter out of respect. Raising his staff in the air, he finished with what he had to say. "Just as my staff gives me the power to fight, your life gives our lord Sesshomaru the power to care. Before you were in his presence, his anger filled his face to the point where it couldn't move. His driving force was the eradication of all humans and everything that was even part human. His attitude changed from the day he saved you. As you crept up behind us, you also found a spot in his heart. As much as I try to make it seem otherwise, you've also found a place in mine. You're by far my best friend and a reason for my own plans of human eradication to be put to a halt."
"Well, it's too bad that the blood drinker doesn't feel the same way." At first, the fact that Sesshomaru was speaking was too confusing to ignore. When the words settled in, everyone sat quietly and noticed the significance of their meaning.
"Wait, if he drinks blood, won't he need more? He won't get any if he kills all the humans. Besides, if he wanted to kill them all, we should let him. Humans are just wasted material that should have been used to make more demons, anyway." Before his friends could follow the path of betrayal, he fell through a very heavy line of "sit"s that got him very close to the center of the earth. "That hurt, Bitch!" Caused another line of screamed dog commands that must have hurt more than the last group.
"Guys, you saw what happened with the last demon. Kaede said he would say many things that he thought of saying, but that he wouldn't mean them. She said it would just take some time for her remedy to kick in and he would be fine. We can't hold what he says against him. It wouldn't be fair."
"Bitch!"
"Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit!"
There was nothing but silence for a few seconds. All of a sudden, there was a strong wind and a high-pitched, quiet scream in the distance.
"He just knocked Kagura through the air and to the west. She's not coming down any time soon. Even her wind isn't slowing her down much. He either killed more demons, or my blood must have given him an added effect that not even I know about. There's also the possibility that he never tried his best against me." The thought of being used as a toy didn't settle well with the noble demon and he could feel his face grow rigid. "That thing that I'm going to fight soon is already strong enough to rip me apart with no effort. He doesn't need my blood to be faster than I am. He doesn't need my abilities to destroy Naraku, even. He could probably tear him apart without getting touched."
"Then, what can we do against something like that?" Kagome asked, wondering the same thing that everyone else wondered. Her voice was starting to crack from the constant screaming.
"We can always lead him to Naraku and hope that I'm wrong."
L-----L
It was nearing twilight when the sky seemed to boil with clouds. The sight made Lin both worry and smile. The person in that direction was very powerful to call on the power of the sky. At least he would have fun after all the playing around he had with those last two. The blood of Sesshomaru in his belly was finally being digested properly, so he knew he was nearing his peak performance. It was time to dance.
There was a large castle in the middle of the storm, directly under the center of it. He was getting bored with the walking around and decided to run at full speed. The idea was fine, but putting it into effect was very different. The demon in white found it hard to hold on when he reached full speed. After nearly having her fall off his shoulders several times, he slowed down until she could still hold on. He was up to the front door within seconds.
"Can you let me go so I can knock?" The question was simple enough, so he agreed. After several knocks, the door opened slowly, the rusty hinges creaking in the empty, roofless hallway. The man who stood in the doorway was the same Lin who was right behind her.
"Did you enjoy knocking? Oh, yeah. There's a big hole in your castle, and it seems that you can just jump in if you feel like it." The smile that was on his face was consciously restrained to not show the three sets of fangs in his mouth. With no change in her composure, she walked by the undead creature and straight down one of the corridors. A little confused, he followed the tiny demon to a door, where she opened it and walked through. Never one to back down, Lin followed with all the innocence of a newborn. Not his wisest choice.
There was a creature at the far corner of the room that had long hair and dark clothes. Beside him was the little girl demon that led him there. The smile on the demon's face said it was a trap better than any words could.
A dark, ominous wind rose around the two and seemed to not reach them. The man in the middle spoke.
"I am Naraku. You are in my home and now must be punished for your trespassing." Short, precise and threatening without saying what the threat was. This guy wasn't going to give the time for a quick remark. Dodging to the side of the foul wind turned out to be a wise thing to do, especially when the blast decimated and melted the wall.
"Okay, I'm guessing that this whole fight is going to be to stay away from those breezes of yours. Fine. Let's go."
And I'm leaving you guys on that note. Evil, aren't I? So far, this story isn't holding up its rating of R. That'll change soon. Well, I have to run now. I'll work on the next part soon. Phoenix Ambrose. LinNoTai Vs. Sesshomaru, Part 2.