CHAPTER THREE:
SENSITIVE SEPHIROTH
Disclaimer: Check Chapter two. (I'm not a fan of repitition.)
Ok, so now things start to get good.
Soon the whole group was on top of the hill. Rin ran to Sesshomaru and latched herself onto his leg. "Rin was so worried. Sephiroth had lightning and Rin accidentally forgot Jaken-sama."
Everyone stared in surprise. This Sesshomaru who nearly killed Sephiroth was actually letting a human hug him and talk to him. Sesshomaru put a hand on Rin's head to make her stop talking.
"What's going on?" Vincent asked Cloud. Cloud explained what happened from when he first met Kagome, to Kagura's death.
"That reminds me." Kagome took Kagura's fans out of her backpack. "These are for you, Rin." She handed them to her.
"Arigato. Why does Rin need them?" Rin cocked her head.
"Kagura wants you to be able to protect yourself." Kagome looked at Sesshomaru. "Just in case."
"Who are they?" Sesshomaru stared coldly at Sephiroth. Inuyasha explained about Naraku stealing the Materia and you know the rest. "Hn? So Naraku is playing tricks once again. And one of his incarnations is dead."
"Tifa?" Rin tugged on her leg.
"Nani?" Tifa knelt down by Rin.
"What is it like in your world?" Rin asked
"My world?" Tifa raised an eyebrow.
"Ano, you can't live here. Rin never saw Materia before. So where do you live?" Rin asked sweetly.
"Ano, it's the opposite of your world. I lived in a big city called Midgar with huge buildings and reactors and..." Tifa sighed. "It would be too hard to explain without you actually seeing it."
"Reminds me of back home..." Kagome frowned.
Rin turned and looked directly at Sephiroth. "Why did you kill Aeris?" Everyone's mouth dropped open. She covered her mouth quickly. "Uh-oh. Rin keeps saying things Rin doesn't understand."
"You're right. You don't understand." Cloud snapped. "So stop talking about it." Tifa put a hand on his shoulder.
"Rin doesn't listen to Jaken-sama. Why would Rin listen to you?" Rin cocked her head. Cloud frowned.
"Because if he doesn't kill you, I will." Sephiroth took a step towards her. Ah-un stood protectively in front of Rin.
"Enough!" Kagome shouted. "Let's just calm down here."
"Tell me human, how did you know my name?" Sephiroth demanded. Rin took a step back. "And how did you know I killed Aeris?"
Even Sesshomaru wanted to know. But he knew that Rin would never keep a secret from him. He knelt down so he could look Rin in the eye. "I know you don't trust him. We have to find the cause of you saying such things." Rin nodded and hugged his neck tightly.
Tifa smiled. He looked so tough and angry, but he was so gentle with Rin. "Rin, does a little voice tell you these things?"
"Hai. As soon Rin saw Sephiroth, Rin's head hurt and Rin felt pain right here." Rin pointed to her heart. "And then Rin heard a voice, it was someone speaking in Rin's voice."
"That made no sense." Red XIII rolled his eyes.
"Why does she speak about herself in the third person?" Vincent frowned.
"So in other words, as soon as you saw Sephiroth something deep within you reacted and caused something to speak using your voice." Tifa frowned. "Weird."
"How did you get all of that from..." Cloud shook his head. "I didn't catch anything. She babbles just like Marlene."
"We should name you Rin's translator." Sango joked.
"Rin's little voice is speaking again." Rin whispered.
"Repeat whatever the voice says." Inuyasha ordered. Maybe Rin can give us some clues... Hmmm? Is someone trying to tell us something?
Rin closed her eyes. "Sephiroth was horrible for taking me away from Cloud. I love Cloud. I miss Cloud. And now this white-haired girl has taken my body. They are going to resurrect me. I wish you would rescue me, Cloud. But no one knows where I am. I don't know where I am. Please Cloud..."
Everyone's mouth was open. "She says her name is Aeris." Rin finished, staring at Sephiroth. Then she turned her gaze to Cloud.
"Amazing." Red XIII blinked. "The girl couldn't have possibly made all of that up, although she does seem like a babbler. How is Aeris communicating with her?"
"It sounds like Aeris is doing it self-consciously." Tifa said thoughtfully.
Cloud said nothing and looked at the ground. "Is she saying anything else?" He muttered. Rin shook her head sadly.
"A white-haired girl?" Sango repeated. "Could she mean Kanna?"
"Then that means...Naraku is planning to resurrect Aeris!" Inuyasha blurted out. "Just great. Another enemy."
"Enemy? Aeris isn't our enemy!" Red XIII laughed.
"When Naraku is done with her, she will be." Kagome said darkly.
Cloud angrily punched the ground. "Stop! Aeris would never try and..."
"Baka." Sesshomaru spat out. "She's gone for good. It won't do any good having her alive again." He stared directly at Inuyasha. "This hanyou is a perfect example of that." Both Inuyasha and Kagome winced.
"Huh?" Vincent looked at both of them. "I'm guessing Naraku has toyed with you." Sango nodded angrily.
"All of us." She whispered angrily. She looked at the ground and told them about how Naraku had controlled her little brother and forced him to kill her father and her comrades.
Since Inuyasha wouldn't speak, Kagome told them about how Naraku used to be Onigumo and how his jealousy caused Inuyasha and Kikyo to die hating each other. She then went on to explain Miroku's story.
"So it seems like Naraku likes to hurt his enemies emotionally." Sephiroth frowned. "No matter. He can't toy with me."
"What about your mother?" Rin asked softly and then covered her mouth. "This Aeris needs to stop making Rin talk. Rin doesn't like it."
Sephiroth's eyes glared at Rin. "That does it!" He flew at her. "I'm tired of your excuses!" Kagome gasped.
Tifa stepped in front of Rin. "Stop it! She doesn't know what she's saying! Now leave her alone!" Sesshomaru stood next to her, his eyes glowing red.
Why is she trying to help? Doesn't she realize that Sephiroth could shred her to pieces? Why does she want to protect Rin? Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. Cloud stood next to Tifa. Sephiroth gradually calmed down. So that's why.
"And that wolf says I have a bad temper." Inuyasha muttered. "Feh."
"Now look. Whatever Aeris tells you, say it." Tifa ordered. "I won't let Sephiroth hurt you. Aeris has useful information that we can use to save her." Rin looked at Tifa gratefully.
"Rin is scared... Rin never heard the lady's voice before he came." Rin hugged Tifa, to Sesshomaru's surprise. "Neechan isn't here to stop Rin's bad dreams. Neechan is in Gold Saucer, Rin thinks."
"Gold Saucer? Who is she?" Cloud demanded.
"Where's Gold Saucer?" Sango cocked her head.
"That's in our world." Red XIII looked at Rin. "I think this girl knows a lot more than she's telling. How could a girl get from Gold Saucer to here?"
"Neechan said there was a secret rift in the planet that led to others. She came and went from the rift." Rin whispered. "Demo, neechan never took Rin there. 'Rufus is after me, so I come here to hide.' Rufus was a bad man that had a big... cum-pah-nee."
"Company? As in a corporation?" Kagome frowned. "What was her name?"
"Why was Rufus after her?" Cloud asked.
"Neechan was special. She grew pretty flowers with her hands and took Rin's bad dreams away. Rin never got sick because neechan always healed Rin." Rin frowned, trying to remember. "Neechan said she wasn't from this planet or the other one. Neechan...Rin thinks neechan was an Ancient."
"Hmm. So you met an Ancient who was running from Rufus. She somehow found a rift between worlds and was able to come here." Tifa frowned. "She fits the description of an Ancient."
"Rin, why didn't you tell me?" Sesshomaru looked at her.
"Neechan made Rin promise not to tell anyone except people that knew Aeris." Rin nodded. "She used magic to make Rin forget until someone said 'Aeris'. Now Rin remembers everything. Rin remembers how neechan made sure Rin didn't get killed by bandits. Neechan made Rin invisible."
"Feh. So where is she now? She'll probably be of some use." Inuyasha rolled his eyes. Could this get any more confusing? All I want to do is kill Naraku!
"This complicates everything!" Tifa said, exasperated.
"Rin." Kagome put her hands on Rin's shoulders. "We need to know what her name was. What was her name?"
"Evangelia." Rin said sweetly. "Neechan had a pretty name. She gave Rin one too: Kamaria. Neechan told Rin it meant 'like the moon'. Rin still thinks it's a pretty name."
"Kamaria?" Tifa gasped. She looked at Cloud. "Do you think?" Vincent looked at them quizzically. "Kamaria was said to be the first Ancient born another planet. She was the only Ancient ever to completely mask her aura without end. She was said to age every fifty years and stay a child forever. She watches over all children. She has the ability to communicate telepathically with any living things."
"Rin? Do flowers sometimes speak to you?" Sango asked.
"Hai. Rin sings with them." Rin nodded vigorously.
"She can't be an Ancient." Sephiroth frowned.
"But the legend says that Kamaria appears human because she masked her aura from birth." Cloud argued. "She fits the description."
Sesshomaru growled. He was sick of this "Ancient" nonsense. He didn't care. All he wanted to do was get rid of Naraku. And he could tell Rin was getting upset with all these questions. But the intriguing human spoke instead.
Tifa held up her hands in protest. "That's enough. We're badgering her." She put her hand around Rin's shoulders. "Time for sleep."
"I still want to ask her..." Cloud started.
"I SAID 'TIME FOR BED'!" Tifa shouted. Cloud backed away. "Now, sweetie. You hungry?" Rin nodded.
"Baka." Red XIII rolled his eyes. "You should have known better." Cloud scowled and didn't say anything.
"Arigato." Rin said sweetly to Tifa. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. Was this human casting a spell on his Rin? Why was she so taken with this "Tifa"?
"Feh." Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Like I'm tired."
"Good!" Kagome said happily. "Then you can go and tell Miroku and the others that we're okay." Inuyasha glared at her. "Oh fine you baby. Take..."
"I'll go." Sango stood up. Kirara changed into her larger form.
"So will I." Vincent said quietly.
"Feh! We don't need you!" Inuyasha didn't trust Vincent. And I know Sesshomaru feels the same way!
"Osuwari!" Kagome snapped. "Gomen ne. Inuyasha's just a jerk."
"Feh." Inuyasha mumbled against the dirt. Rin and Tifa laughed.
"Kagome-chan has him trained." Rin whispered. Tifa laughed even harder.
"I wish I could do that to Cloud." Tifa grinned evilly. Cloud narrowed his eyes at her playfully.
Kagome laughed as well. Then she turned to Inuyasha. "What are you still doing her? Nani? Don't tell me you're tired."
"Feh. Urusai." Inuyasha muttered, probably not the smartest thing to do.
"He called you annoying." Sesshomaru said on purpose, knowing Kagome would make Inuyasha kiss dirt once again. Tifa giggled, figuring the same thing.
Kagome turned to Inuyasha angrily. "OSUWARI! OSUWARI! OSUWARI! OSUWARI! OSUWARI!!!" Kagome then stomped off by herself down the hill.
Sango just raised an eyebrow, clearly a sign that she knew what was going on. "Kagome-chan still hasn't forgiven you, Inuyasha. Baka. You should have been more careful. You always take her for granted."
But of course, poor Inuyasha couldn't move. He could barely hear Sango. He got up five minutes later. "Ikuso, Sango. Vincent." They took off and were soon out of sight.
Tifa and Rin ran down the hill to see if Kagome was ok. Kagome was dreamily staring at the sky, which was beginning to turn purple and red and pink. "The sunset is so pretty, ne?" Kagome turned to them.
"You're not mad?" Rin's eyes widened.
"Iie." Kagome sighed. "Ano, I sort of am. Dakara, not about him calling me annoying." She shrugged. Rin ran a bit of a distance twirling around by the flowers.
"So it was a previous fight?" Tifa sat down next to Kagome. "You don't have to say anything, but it seemed like he looked guilty."
"He should." Kagome spat out. Rin started singing happily.
"Hmmm." Tifa shook her head. "I went through almost the same thing."
"What was the difference?" Kagome cocked her head.
"Cloud loves me, but as friend, not a lover." Tifa smiled sadly. "I was jealous of Aeris sometimes. But, Aeris was a great friend to me. She probably knew how I felt about Cloud. I can tell Inuyasha loves you."
"It's because of Kikyo." Kagome sighed. "If she wasn't here then..."
"Everything would be perfect?" Tifa shook her head. "But, are you uncertain?" Kagome nodded.
"He can't choose. I...feel as if I don't care anymore." Kagome frowned. "It seems like a never-ending cycle. Whenever Inuyasha and I get close, Kikyo shows up and provokes negative emotions. I'm getting tired of it and of Inuyasha."
"So you're giving up?" Tifa raised an eyebrow.
"Iie. Moving on." Kagome shook her head.
"You're sure?" They eyebrow went higher.
"Hai. You just made me realize it." Kagome stood up. "Arigato, Tifa-chan."
"This 'chan' you call me." Tifa stood up as well. "Some kind of affectionate suffix? Someone you trust?"
"I guess you could say that." Kagome smiled.
"I'll call you Kagome-chan then." Tifa looked at the sky. "So pretty." Rin ran over to them and immediately hugged Tifa.
The three girls trudged up the hill happily. Sesshomaru looked at Rin for a moment and then began to speak. "How easily do Ancients die?" He asked and Cloud winced.
"I'm not sure." Red XIII said thoughtfully.
"Rin was killed by wolves. Could an Ancient be killed so easily, no matter the age?" Sesshomaru patted Rin on the head. "If she was an Ancient and had her powers locked away by this Evangelia, something would have saved her."
"Hmmm." Tifa frowned. "Who knows? All we know is that we have a very special girl here and I think that that 'Kagura' knew that."
"Hai." Rin swished her new fans around.
"Be careful with those." Kagome warned. "They're very powerful."
"They won't react unless she's using them for protection." Red XIII laughed.
Rin stopped moving and turned to Sesshomaru with pained eyes. "Rin smells blood, Sesshomaru-sama..." Rin sat down and hugged her knees to her chest. "This is all because of Sephiroth. He changed Rin..."
Sesshomaru sniffed the air and to his utter surprise, Rin was right! How could Rin smell the blood before him? He was the great ruler of the Western Lands, a taiyoukai and now Rin had better senses than him? He growled at Sephiroth.
"Oh no..." Kagome could tell that something was wrong. "The village! Sango! Miroku! Inuyasha..." Tifa gently picked Rin up.
"Daijoubu?" Tifa shook Rin.
"Rin feels sick..." Rin passed out. Tifa placed her on Ah-un and climbed on. Kagome climbed on as well.
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes annoyed. "I hope he's not slow." This was directed at Cloud. Cloud didn't say anything, but began running next to Red XIII. Sephiroth and Sesshomaru followed.
"When this is all over, you will fight this Sesshomaru." Sesshomaru scowled.
"What a fight that will be!" Sephiroth smirked, already anticipating it.
"Let's concentrate on the matter at hand here!" Tifa snapped. Sesshomaru looked up and glared at her.
"Onna. You'd be smart to treat me with respect." Sesshomaru snarled. Tifa just giggled. What is with this onna?
"You remind me so much of Sephiroth." Tifa bowed her head. "If it's respect you want, I'll try and give it to you."
Sesshomaru stared at her in surprise. "Oh? And I don't get any respect?" Sephiroth snorted.
"Of course not." Tifa sniffed. "For one thing, you don't deserve it. And if you even think about talking to me the way Sesshomaru did, Cloud'll rip your head off."
"Somehow I don't doubt that." Sephiroth grinned. "He can't bear to have another female dead in his arms."
Cloud stopped running and just glared at Sephiroth furiously. "You see what love does to you, baka? It will eventually come back and whack you across the face." Sephiroth laughed.
"Shut up! Aeris was my friend, too!" Tifa's eyes flashed angrily. "And I won't let you disrespect her name like that!"
"Ditto." Was all Red XIII snapped.
"Onna. We both know I won't hesitate to slice you apart." Sephiroth ran closer to Tifa.
"Neither will I." Sesshomaru cut in coldly. Tifa looked at him in surprise. The again, everyone did. "I'm tired of this 'Aeris'. You seem to be a bit perturbed whenever she's brought up. Is it guilt? Shame? Whatever it is, this Sesshomaru will not let Rin see any bloodshed."
"She can smell it." Sephiroth muttered. Sesshomaru had him by the neck in a nanosecond. Kagome had never seen him move so fast. Blood came out of Sephiroth's neck and trickled down his black clothing.
"Sesshomaru-sama?" Rin had woken up. Sesshomaru threw him into a tree and flew over by her. "Rin wa daijoubu ..."
"He needed to be taught a lesson." Sesshomaru said simply.