Author's Note: Nothing to add expect, the end is near! One more chapter, and the humble question if I should write a sequel. This story has left a lot of loose ends but hopefully, I've established a world that is worthy enough to be played in. Feedback is always welcome as is anyone who would like to chat Sesshoumaru. Just IM me. Thank you for putting up with this newbie!
Chapter Five: The Reckoning
"My Lord Sesshoumaru, you've returned! I was beginning to worry about our situation! But, thankfully, you can now set everything back on its appointed course…"
"Quiet Jaken. Prepare An-Uh for departure, and fetch my swords and armor from the Weapons Master here." Sesshoumaru swept into the room like a storm, disregarding his manner or reputation for stillness. He wanted to be gone from here; back on his journey and to the quiet company of his thoughts. He wanted to put out of his mind all the troubling thoughts that had plagued him, and the self-disgust that was growing in his stomach like a cancer.
He looked around the finely furnished room, seeing the small bed Jaken had made for himself- the vassal wouldn't have dared touch that meant for his Lord. But there was a blanket from the larger bed that had been removed, tucked close to Jaken's bed.
Rin's bed. She hated being alone.
Sesshoumaru looked around the room for his ward, before beginning to peel off his blood stained clothes. Blood frightened Rin, and he had no desire for her to see him caked in Human blood. Nor did he have any desire to remain sullied in such a way. It made him feel tainted.
"Pack them." He ordered as he saw Jaken bundle up the white robes and made motions to take them to the laundress. "We'll have them attended elsewhere."
Anywhere but here.
Sesshoumaru pulled another set of robes from a satchel Jaken had brought in. It was simpler in design; plain white robes he used for training purposes, and pulled it to hang lose around his frame. He stopped for a moment and waited for Jaken to fasten the gold sash around his waist.
"You plan to leave so soon, milord?" Jaken chirped, crossing the distance between him and Sesshoumaru. He rarely talked while attending his Lord in this way; only because Sesshoumaru disliked being reminded of his infirmary. "There was still much needing to be addressed."
"Oh?"
"Small things, milord." Jaken added hastily. "A few points of your past…"
"My past is no concern to you."
"I am not the one asking. Rin is." Sesshoumaru pulled away, giving Jaken a dark look. The attendant seemed to shrink a little, before throwing his eyes down in submission. "I do not mean to impose my Lord! I shall deal with her questions myself, I only hoped to ensure things remain as they are…"
"They would not?"
"She has become very uneasy, Lord Sesshoumaru, about a great many things. Do not concern yourself. I will deal with it."
Sesshoumaru turned towards the door, straining to catch Rin's scent on the air. He would find her, "address" the concerns now. He stopped, and stared at the small figure that was standing at his doorway.
A Water demon, his small hands folded over one another and head bowed, had been standing there for some time, waiting to be acknowledged. Now with the Western Lord glaring down at him, he spoke. "Forgive me, Venerable Lord, I have been sent by my Master to escort you to an event in your honor."
"We're leaving." Sesshoumaru said coldly, and moved to walk pass him.
"With respect, Lord." The boy began again. "It would be…regrettable if you didn't attend." The boy flinched a little under Sesshoumaru's cool glare. "Your slave's life…"
"I have no slaves."
The boy looked up. "Your human's life then."
There were few things in life Sesshoumaru was unprepared for, and the sensation that came from staring into the little boy's eyes was one of them. It was cold, and sharp and felt like Sesshoumaru had just been thrown into a freezing current. He felt numb.
The boy was staring at him. "If you half care for her as much as she thinks you do, you'd go to her."
"Do not presume to question my Lord!" Jaken shouted, rearing up on the child. "Who do you think you are to…"
The boy returned. "Someone who loves her…"
Sesshoumaru ignored whatever else they said, and his own state of undress and pushed pass them both to find Rin. Finding the freshest trail of her scent was easy; and with some uneasily he found Tama's as well. In his mind's eye, visions of rather gruesome displays played over again, making the ice cold sensation reach throughout his blood. He told himself it would be unwise to panic. Tama wouldn't dare challenged him. He knew he would never emerge from a confrontation with Sesshoumaru alive. But Sesshoumaru also knew that Tama wouldn't play fair.
And now, it was obvious, he had a weakness.
Sesshoumaru felt like laughing from the dismal outlook. It had been easy to bluff apathy with Naraku. Tama would know better.
The scent lead him into the receiving grounds where just days before Tama and him had greeted each other after years apart. The grounds were still filled with countless demons that had come to witness their Master's entertainment. In the pale morning lights, everything was purple or blue, making it seem surreal. Sesshoumaru wasn't sure this was not another dream. For a moment, he hoped it was.
Tama was standing erect holding the Tokijin in his right hand, and Tensaiga by the scabbard in his left. Sitting on her knees facing him was Rin, shaking and silently sobbing to herself. Tokijin's blade was resting flat on her shoulder, its tip touching her neck. Tama had only to jerk his wrist to severe her neck; a clean cut. Behind Rin, also squatting, was Tama's blacksmith and a fire demon, with his hands blazing and poised over Rin's arms as if praying for her. Sesshoumaru could smell Rin's tears and burning hair, and it took a conscious effort to remain still. History felt like it was repeating. He had been here before.
"Rin," Sesshoumaru said as he walked towards them, stopping only with Tama flinched nervously, causing a little cut on the girl's neck. He could sense Tokijin beginning to work its callous magic on Tama, could see the Fox's bloodlust quickening. "Don't move."
Rin inhaled sharply at the sound of his voice, but did not stop shaking. Sesshoumaru arched a brow. She had never disobeyed him before. His eyes darted to Tama.
"I know you would appreciate such dramatics, Sesshoumaru Lord." Tama began, never looking away from Rin and Tokijin. "Killing the girl and leaving her corpse to rot on the wayside seemed something…you would do. Not at all something to capture your attention."
"Do you really think to harm me like this, Tama? You were never one to wound extremities, you always went after the heart."
"You don't have one. I am forced to improvise here." Tama turned the blade up, touching Rin's chin. "I fail to understand what you've become now, Sesshoumaru. This is a masterful blade…" His voice dropped a little, in awe. "A glorious blade. Yet you come not to reclaim it but this…girl."
"The blade is the cheap replica of my true prize. I knew you would approve." Sesshoumaru interjected. "You seem to like dreams over reality."
"What we had was no dream."
"It was. A vainglorious attempt made by children to understand a world they couldn't yet fit into."
"We were gods."
"No, we were arrogant." Sesshoumaru paused to consider. "Arrogant and armed, unfortunately. We believed death and life were things would could hand out with impunity. There are consequences."
"Not for us!" Tama shouted, turning to him. "Not for you. Do you hear yourself speaking? Who are you to care about a few miserable lives…lives like this human girl's that will fade and turn to ash sooner then those of our kind can turn their heads."
"I don't care. But I understand it now."
"Then you will not mind if your blade is polished with the blood of one more." Tama said savagely.
"Know it will the last deed you perform in this life."
"You would murder me for the revenge of human girl?"
"Because you would take what is mine."
Rin turned her eyes to catch sight of Sesshoumaru. There was a strange look he had never seen there before. Apathy. Then, her eyes traveled behind him, to where Jaken and the water demon, Zen, stood. There was that same blank look in her eyes. No fear, no apprehension, no love, for anything.
And her eyes, the poet's eyes, the sad eyes, the eyes of the dead friend, turned to study the dirt and Tama's shoes. Sesshoumaru thought he saw her mouth words to one that no one could see, before turning her head with a snap- towards the blade.
Sesshoumaru had his claws out, pushing Tama away from Rin before Tokijin had a chance to find his target. He shut his mind down then, refusing to think about the action he had just witness from his young ward, and turned to focus on Tama.
Tama was on his back, laughing. "It looks as if I have already taken what is yours." Tama's eyes darkened. "Save one thing."
There was sharp explosion of pain in his stomach, as Tama drove Tokijin as far as it would go through Sesshoumaru. He inhaled, calling out to the Tensaiga, before lashing out, blindly against him. Had hate been fuel and strength, the Western Lord would have call upon hell itself to ensure Tama would be nothing more then a stain on the ground. He went blind for a moment, using pure muscle memory and rage to guide his attack.
Tama rolled away, jumping up, and throwing Tensaiga down as he passed. In rapid succession he hurled Fox Fire in efforts to secure time to breath and plan. Sesshoumaru would have none of this, pushing through the flames to pursue. Hell itself would not stop his path.
There was a scream behind him that stopped him cold. Rin's scream.
Sesshoumaru turned to see Zen running towards Rin, throwing up a shield of water between her and the flames and catching up Rin in his arms as he knelt by her. Rin screamed again as the two forces impacted, creating an explosion and clung desperately to Zen's robes, burying her face in it.
"Don't leave me." She told him. "Don't leave me!"
Turning back, he stumbled back as Jaken appeared from no where to throw Tama back with the Staff of Two Heads. Sesshoumaru was surprised, amused and impressed as he watched Jaken throw Tama back with one power then the other. It gave him time to breath, calling on his whip to finish the attack.
Tama looked up through the attacks, his dark, patched eye blacked. It had taken on the blaze of the Staff head-on. Sesshoumaru could smell the burnt flesh. And there appeared the smile. Tama lifted the Tokijin once more, watching Sesshoumaru ready his whip. For a moment the friends remained still.
"And this is how we are to be broken," Tama whispered. "By your own weakness."
Sesshoumaru didn't speak.
"This is not you, Sesshoumaru." Tama continued softly. His voice devoid of hate or anger. There was only the smallest hints of sadness and regret. "This is some…lingering pain, left by past wounds that has clouded your judgment. But do not worry…I will make you remember before we are done."
There was one final movement, a blast of Fox Fire and throwing the Tokijin at Jaken to make him dodge. A plume of smoke, and a brief explosion, an illusion of smoke and mirrors to buy him precious seconds to escape. Sesshoumaru let him go.
He folded his arm around the wound, and grunted. For this wound, Sesshoumaru would need time to rest. He turned, scanning the faces of those present for any sign of a challenge. The demons merely bowed.
"Jaken," He said after a time. "I give this place to your care. Do as you see fit." He inhaled again, and began to walk into the palace. "Rin. Come."
He paused at the door waiting to hear her footsteps. There were several moments of silence, but she never budged. Refusing to look back, or flinch, Sesshoumaru took another labored breath and continued on.
