Authoress: Alright, it has been a while since I updated, but I basically re-did this only story of mine and fixed it up. There should hopefully be three or four chapters here, so enjoy! I do not own InuYasha, duh, but Ryoko is copywritten to me, know that and beware!
xxx
Compassion for a Stranger
The evening air drifted calmly throughout the vast plains of the Western Lands. The colorful leaves of the forest danced, rubbing against one another in a light, rhythmic hum.
The Lord of this realm sat leaning against a tree, branches overhead shadowing his features from the brilliant setting sun above. A small, toad-like creature scurried about the campsite trying to build and maintain the tiny flame that sat, surrounded by chopped wood pieces, in the middle of the chosen resting area.
Amber optics followed the servant Youkai, a soft, masculine voice asking, "Jaken, where is Rin?" Seconds before the stuttering frog could answer, as if on cue, the eight-year-old form of Rin dashed into view, a frightened look plastered to her usually gleeful complexion.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" she began worriedly, "Rin saw a group of Demons while picking flowers for you." A pretty bouquet was gripped tightly in the child's grasp, her knuckles white as snow.
"And?"
"They almost got Rin, but a lady helped Rin and now they are hurting her, Sesshoumaru-sama. She helped Rin, now you go help, too!" the little girl demanded of her master, giving him a firm look and a stomp of her little foot. She knew it was extremely disrespectful and disobedient to talk that way towards the Great Lord, but the little girl was willing to take that risk.
"How dare you order the Lord of the Western Lands to save your stupid friend! Those Demons should have gotten you instead of the woman who helped you," the servant squawked after getting over a momentary shock. It's your fault she's in trouble anyway. If they had caught you, then you'd finally be out of my hair and-"
"Jaken." Sesshoumaru's glaring gaze turned to the green creature.
"Ye-yes, my Lord?"
"Watch Rin and await my return…"
With those simply spoken words, the Inu left his two companions, Jaken gaping and Rin beaming, as he vanished into the trees surrounding their well-hidden resting place.
A shrill cry greeted the Youkai's pointed, elf-like ears as he sauntered through the thick forest. A female's cry. Although still, quite leisurely, Sesshoumaru quickened his pace. Amber eyes found the matching gaze of that woman as he lurked behind a large oak, drawing the Tokijin, his sacred sword, in order to attack. The gold-tinted glance passed his way once more as the Lord caught sight of the nine-tailed female who had been Rin's savior, though the tree's thick bark hid him from view.
Staggering, the woman rose to her feet. A blow, from what seemed to be the group's leader, brought her to her knees; sharp claws digging into the bark of the tree supporting her. She didn't try to meet his gaze again. Although, staring at the brown-haired girl, the Inu Youkai's golden optics glinted beneath the moonlight as a vision came to him from long ago…
Beaten and bloodied, the Dog Lord laid in a pool of red liquid, his usually animated gaze going dull and void. A rustle from the brush brought his weak senses to life. At first, Sesshoumaru only saw nine, light brown tails emerge from the forest around him.
Cocking a slim brow, he watched as the form of a young female approached, looking as if she had barely reached puberty, the child's face tilted downwards, eyes cast to the ground. Looking up with a golden gaze that matched his, the girl's voice emitted a gasp of surprise, not fear.
Did she not recognize him? The Lord of the very lands she lived and walked upon? Could it be that he was not known in all regions of his territory? Apparently not.
"You are hurt…" she whispered.
"Obviously," he stated bluntly.
The female seemed a bit taken aback, a hurt look pressed firmly into golden eyes, and then she left him alone once more. Sesshoumaru sighed, a rare emotion of guilt creeping up on him. Another noise caught his attention and the nine-tailed child reappeared, standing proudly before the wounded Inu Youkai.
"Let me help you."
Another sigh escaped from him as the golden optics belonging to the silver-haired male closed peacefully. Gentle, cool fingers brushed across the gushing stump that had once been the Lord's right arm. Gritting his teeth tightly, Sesshoumaru would not allow himself to even wince as a flare of pain exploded in his shoulder.
The female had used some sharp object to even out the misshapen cut he had received from his half breed brother, InuYasha. Opening his eyes, he studied her hands, hands that moved so diligently and with great experience in the art of healing.
A bright, orange flower rested on the forest floor by her leg, a thick substance oozing from it. A salve perhaps. Sesshoumaru's delicate senses easily picked up a citrus-smelling fragrance, which the plant was releasing into the atmosphere.
"This may sting a bit," the demon-child warned. Rhythmically she rubbed the salve on his wound, the nutrients in it immediately working on stopping the blood that was still flowing freely. He smirked, an eyelid opening lazily to catch the signs of a retreating blush from the girl as she continued to spread the lotion all over the rest of his shoulder and upper chest.
"I added some extra over here j-just in case, Lord," the female stuttered, lowering her glance back to the injury at hand. "Hn," was all he cared to reply. The stinging sensation increased, but the blood flow finally began to cease and with it, the pain.
Turning a bit, the Youkai girl found bandages and began to dress his shoulder, a tedious process. Once finished, she stood and moved away from the Lord, her stoic expression holding an almost haunting tone. The Great Lord of the Western Lands stood , keeping his composure still and regulated.
His emotionless gaze cast down upon the female, seeing as he now towered a good four feet higher than she. A slight nod was all the thanks he allowed the child, though sooner or later another token would weigh down on his mind. He was now in debt to a little, nine-tailed demon-child. Go figure.
Gold-flecked irises watched the patient disappear into the lush trees surrounding the secretive area. With a small smile, the girl whispered a simple phrase, "Good-bye, Lord Sesshoumaru of the Western Lands." But when the male turned, the girl with the pretty face and nine tails, was gone.
xxx